What war is Othello based on?

Othello and the War of Cyprus. Shakespeare set Othello against the epic backdrop of an ongoing religious conflict between Christian Republic of Venice

Republic of Venice

The republic was ruled by the doge, who was elected by members of the Great Council of Venice, the city-state's parliament, and ruled for life. The ruling class was an oligarchy of merchants and aristocrats. Venice and other Italian maritime republics played a key role in fostering capitalism.

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Republic of Venice - Wikipedia

and the Muslim Ottoman Empire.

Is there a war in Othello?

Since the play's protagonist is a military general, war is always hovering in the background in Othello. But the only actual battle the play promises is avoided, thanks to bad weather. The real battleground of the play, it turns out, is the mind.

Why is there a war in Othello?

The main conflicts in 'Othello' are between friends and foes. Othello's inner conflict, cultural and racial differences which lead to racial judgement and discrimination, to express these conflicts; Shakespeare uses many techniques such as soliloquies, dramatic irony, imagery foreshadowing and symbolism.

What is the play Othello based on?

Intro. Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story 'Un Capitano Moro' ('A Moorish Captain') by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565.

What era is Othello set in?

Othello is set in Venice, presumably sometime in the latter half of the sixteenth-century. Venice was at war with the Ottoman empire between 1570 and 1573, so the play's reference to the threat of an attack on Cyprus could reflect a setting sometime during this period.

Video SparkNotes: Shakespeare's Othello summary

Is Othello Jacobean or Elizabethan?

Othello was written after 1601 and before 1604 and was therefore created in the last years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. It was then performed in the Jacobean Era (James I). It is seen as a Jacobean play yet clearly the context in which it was conceived was Elizabethan.

What is the historical context of Othello?

Shakespeare derived Othello's plot from a short narrative in Giraldi Cinthio's Gli Hecatommithi (1565), but set his play within the context of Venice's struggle during the 1570s with the Ottoman Empire for control of Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean island that overlooked the shipping lanes between Europe and trading ...

Why do they call Othello the Moor?

Othello is referred to as the Moor because of his dark skin color. The term was initially used to describe people from the ancient Roman province, which is now North Africa, but over time the word "Moor" became an ambiguous term used to describe anyone who had dark skin.

Can a white man play Othello?

Racial prejudice has allowed white actors to play Othello well into the 20th century. David Harewood discusses Larry Olivier's performance in 1964.

Why was Othello set Cyprus?

Cyprus is threatened by the Turks; Othello's peace of mind and marriage are threatened by Iago. Othello is sent to Cyprus to govern and restore peace. Instead of bringing peace, Othello destroys his wife and then himself. Cyprus is also an isolated setting, which is psychologically appropriate.

Why did the Ottoman Venetian war happen?

Venice-Ottoman Confrontations were due on the one hand to the Ottoman's expansionist plans, part of the Ottoman invasion of Europe and on the other hand to Venice's desire to control and protect the sea-routes.

What happens in Cyprus in Othello?

Cyprus is where most of the play happens. It's an outpost, or army camp, where the Duke of Venice sends his army to fight against the Turkish. However, the Turkish fleet is destroyed in a storm so there are no battles in the play. Iago encourages Cassio to get drunk whilst on duty.

What was the military hierarchy in Othello?

The military hierarchy in William Shakespeare's “Othello” consists of Othello as the top-ranking officer, or general, Cassio as the second in rank, or lieutenant, and Iago as the third-ranking officer, the ancient. Aside from rank, each of these major characters also has a different heritage.

Is Othello North Africa?

Although Othello is a Moor, and although we often assume he is from Africa, he never names his birthplace in the play. In Shakespeare's time, Moors could be from Africa, but they could also be from the Middle East, or even Spain. American actor John Edward McCullough as Othello in 1878.

What is a misogyny in Othello?

Othello presents a duality of misogynist views toward women. While on one hand they are deceptive and are out to trick and hurt men, they are also objects and possessions who are expected to be subdued and virtuous.

Does Iago ever say othellos name?

Iago refers to Othello not by his name but as 'the Moor', calling him 'the devil' (2.1. 216) and 'defective' (2.1.

Which phase of the Ottoman Venetian war was Othello based on?

The action of Othello likely takes place one year after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, during the Battle of Lepanto. This battle brought together the vast majority of all galley ships that then existed in the Mediterranean region, and the results of the engagement were decisive.

What has happened to the Turkish Navy that Othello was sent to Cyprus to fight?

The Turkish fleet was broken by storm so they retreated.

Why is Othello a revenge tragedy?

Features of revenge tragedy

In such plays, usually one or more characters are exacting revenge. In Othello, the central focus is on Iago, but his lies also subsequently motivate Othello and Roderigo to pursue vengeance.

What other source inspired much of Othello's plot?

Two tales – 'Disdemona and the Moor' and the story of 'Epitia' – seem to have inspired Shakespeare when writing Othello and Measure for Measure.

Is Othello from Cyprus?

Shakespeare's Othello is subtitled “The Moor of Venice”, and as such the play has a few scenes at the beginning set in Renaissance Venice. However, most of the play is set in Cyprus, in a selection of public places, and various places in and around a castle.