Othello - contextual information

As you know, Shakespeare was a British playwright born in 1564. He wrote 37 plays between the late 1580s and 1613, and he also contributed to plays written by others of his time. Shakespeare was highly successful in his time, and his work continues to be studied today.​

Shakespeare wrote Othello ​in approximately 1603, and it is thought that it was first performed in 1604.

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​William Shakespeare

​Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last Tudor monarch. ​She was also known to be fond of Shakespeare's plays. ​

​Queen Elizabeth I

​This king is known as King James I in England but King James the VI in Scotland. When he succeeded the English throne, he had already been King James VI in Scotland for the 36 years prior.

​King James I/VI

​Othello

​Remember that Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, and this is when Othello was first thought to be written. That said, her successor took the throne in 1603 and the play was performed during the early stages of King James I's reign (1604 onwards), so most refer to Othello as a Jacobean play. The play was originally given the title The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, but it is now referred to as simply Othello.

While Othello was not the first Moor to be depicted on stage in British dramas, Othello is the first Moor who is a tragic hero in Jacobean drama. ​

This time period is also part of a period that we refer to as the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Generally described as taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art.

The Moors, Islamic inhabitants of northern Africa, conquered Spain in the 8th century. During the 11th to 15th centuries, Christians reconquered Spain, and many Moors adopted a more European culture. Some, like Othello, became Christians. The play is not set in Spain; (it is set in Italy and Cyprus); however, it is useful to understand this historical context as it is important for you to know that Othello is a Moor who has adopted European customs and Christianity.

​Othello as a Moor

​Race in The Renaissance

Usually in Renaissance drama, black men and Moors were portrayed negatively; Othello is the first black hero. Othello is a racial 'outsider' in Venice, and you will see that this becomes relevant to the plot. That said, Shakespeare stresses Othello's noble origins and his power and status as a general for the Venetian army. During the Renaissance, many believed that black people were fit only to be slaves. Shakespeare subverts this view in his depiction of his noble Moor.

​Italy and Cyprus

The play was written in 1603; however, it is set in 1570-1571. During that time, Venice was a great power and a very cosmopolitan place. Cyprus was one of Venice's colonies from 1489 until 1571.

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​​Why do you think that Venice would be such a powerful place? What was special about Venice at this time? ​

The Turks were fighting to regain control of Cyprus, and this makes the titular character of the play one of the last men to defend the island on behalf of the Italians.

​Venetian attitudes

​Venice was associated with power, romance and high culture. How might Venetians feel about themselves and their place in the world at this period in time? Why would that be?

​Patriarchal values in The Renaissance

​Renaissance women were subordinate to men and were ruled by them. Legally, women were possessions of men, so Renaissance fathers and husbands often treated their daughters and wives as objects to be used as they saw fit. Marriages were arranged by the fathers and were seen as a way to further the famliy and build important alliances in society; marriage for love was not the norm.

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Assertive women were considered a threat to social order. Again, Shakespeare could be said to subvert the beliefs of the time by portraying assertive women in a positive manner.

​Religion in the play

​The play focuses heavily on good and evil. This reflects the religious context of the time. Characters are linked to good through references to heaven, while others are linked to evil through references to hell. Othello has converted to Christianity and subscribes to Christian values, so his thoughts and worries in the play reflect these Christian beliefs.

As we study the play, we will continue to discuss contextual information. It will enrich your understanding of the play's important themes and ideas, and it will inform your interpretation of characters.