Background Information
about Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s World
• Lived in England during the Elizabethan
Era.
• Elizabeth I became Queen of England and
supported all of the arts; therefore, notable writers
emerged, and by the end of the 16th century, London
had more theaters than any other city in Europe.
Shakespeare’s Theater
• From the early 1590s,
Shakespeare was affiliated with
the Lord Chamberlain’s Men
theater company.
• Shakespeare wrote the company’s plays, was part
owner, and performed occasionally as an actor.
• In 1599, he became part owner of the Globe
Theater.
• All classes of theatergoers enjoyed his plays because
they included something for everyone.
• Performances were given during the day in warmer
weather.
• The stage had no scenery. The dialogue told the
audience where a scene was taking place.
• Productions were by no means drab.
 Costumes could be quite ornate.
 Props such as swords, shields, and swirling
banners added to the colorful display.
 Sound effects were behind the stage
Shakespeare’s Legacy
• Most familiar lines in the English
language come from
Shakespeare’s plays.
“To be, or not to be,
that is the question.”
Aristotelian Tragedy
• The most important element of a tragic
drama was the unique experience of
CATHARSIS, the arousing of the
specific emotions of pity and fear so as
to dispel or purge them in the spectator.
• This is tragedy defined by its emotional effect on the
audience.
Ideal Plot
• The story takes place in 24 hours.
• This produces a strong emotional response.
Tragic Hero’s Characteristics
• The hero must be of high status.
• The hero must be a good person.
• Has a tragic flaw that contributes to his/her downfall.
- Hubris (pride)
• Recognizes his mistakes.
• Reverses position.
• Punished but not necessarily by death.
Shakespearean Tragedy
• Shakespeare includes the unique experience of
CATHARSIS, the arousing of the specific emotions
of pity and fear so as to dispel or purge them in the
spectator.
Ideal Plot
• Shakespearean plays do not all occur in a day or two.
Many plays give the assumption that they do.
Tragic Hero Characteristics
• Hero must be of high rank.
• Exhibits extraordinary talents.
• The hero’s greatest strength when taken to the
extreme contributes to his downfall.
• Hero may or may not recognize his flaw.
• The tragic hero always dies.
Shakespearean Tragedy
• Plays contain references to the supernatural.
• Plays have hallucinations.
• Plays have accidental occurrences.
Othello
Source of Othello
• Shakespeare based Othello on a story in Giraldi
Cinthio’s Hecatommithi. This was a collection of a
hundred tales printed in Italy in the Sixteenth
Century. It is thought that Shakespeare read the
original Italian verse.
Notes on Othello
• Othello was written in 1604.
• Othello, a Moor, is commander of the Venetian
army and elopes with Desdemona. Brabantio,
Desdemona’s father, accuses him of witchcraft, but
Desdemona refutes the charge. The Moor, being
then sent to drive the Turks from Cyprus, is
victorious. On his return, Iago, Othello’s lieutenant,
plays upon his jealousy and persuades him that
Desdemona has been false to him with Cassio.
Therefore, Othello murders her, and, after hearing
how he has been duped by Iago, slays himself.