Othello

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Othello

medieval climate theory, which linked dark skin to sun exposure and thus connected the hot climate of Mediterranean North Africa with blackness. 

Shakespeare is said to have used Africanus's work as a source of inspiration for Othello.

 Leo, whose Arabic name was al-Ḥasan ibn Muḥammad al-Wazzān al-Zayyātī, described his extensive travels in Africa and attempted to list the traits of African people. His descriptions are neutral, listing both good and bad traits. These traits became increasingly stereotyped as Leo’s book was translated in European languages and the translators made his descriptions more negative. In the English translation by John Pory, published in 1600, Leo says that Africans are “most honest people” but also “subject to jealousy.” They are “proud,” “high-minded,” “addicted unto wrath,” and “credulous.” Shakespeare likely read Leo in Pory’s translation. We know this because Shakespeare’s most famous Moorish character, Othello, demonstrates many of these traits. Iago exploits Othello’s credulousness and jealousy to make him suspect Desdemona of adultery, and it is the Moor’s tendency to wrath which causes him to murder his wife. Leo also says that Moors are vulnerable to the “falling sickness,” which may lie behind Othello’s “epilepsy.”

Ham's curse

In the Bible, Ham finds Noah drunk and naked in Noah's tent. He tells his brothers, Shem and Japheth, who proceed to cover their father without gazing at him. When Noah finds out what happened, he curses Ham's son Canaan, saying he shall be ''a servant of servants.'' Among the many questions attached to this tale are what Ham did wrong. Was it looking at his father or telling his brothers or some implied sexual transgression? And why was Canaan cursed for Ham's actions?

The characters

The plot

The role of women

The themes

The protagonist

The setting

Debate, argue, sustain

A tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist. Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience, but also have flaws or make mistakes that ultimately lead to their own downfall.

What now?

Either study the Renaissance Reader
or
read Othello (take notes while doing so)
(full text to be found on magister)