Othello WebQuest
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.” –Act III sc iii
So far what do you know about the cast:
explore the major characters of Othello. Give a brief character description of each.
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Othello:
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Iago:
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Desdemona:
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Emilia:
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Cassio:
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Roderigo:
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Brabrantio:
Background:
Othello was a respected general in the Venetian Army. He was also a “Moor.” He was born in the
country of Mauritania. To better understand Othello, you need to understand his background.
1. Where is Mauritania located? Othello's Homeland
2. What type of people inhabited this land? (ethnicity and religion)
3. What is a Moor? Moors
Setting:
The play begins in the prosperous city of Venice, Italy in approximately 1570. In Shakespeare’s time,
Venice would have been a very popular and well-known city, with various attitudes surrounding it. The
second half of the play takes place on the island of Cyprus. This island also had special significance to
the people of Shakespeare’s time.
4. Summarize what was going on in history at this time in Venice: (if you don't know based on the
play-research the question)
5. Venice was sometimes described as , “Wild Venice”: describe Venice during Othello’s time(think
about the play-what is going on so far)
Race Issue:
Racism was a huge issue during Shakespeare’s time, and he would have known it. Othello being a black
character who marries a white woman, would have been a HUGELY scandalous plot for the Renaissance
times, and received tons of attention as a result.
6. Read the second and third paragraphs on the "Black Other" and consider the following questions:
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How many times does Shakespeare use the word, “black” in the play?
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Who did Elizabethan people consider to be Moors?
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What is the basis for Othello’s discrimination?
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(next page) How were black people seen at this time?
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How does Shakespeare show this stereotype through his character’s words?
Women:
The role of women in this play is also a crucial one. In the sites below examine the roles and attitudes
about women and marriage at this time.
7. Give a general description about the role of women and marriage at this time:
Love and Marriage
8. For what two reasons would it have been a big deal that Desdemona and Othello get married?
9. What were some of the attitudes at the time regarding women and sex? Sex
10. In your books on pages 33,34 and 35 Iago makes sexual references. What does he say? Why are
these quotes particularly offensive? How does it show the stereotypical view of the time?
11. Under Task 3, read the quote from Brabrantio. In what ways does he show the stereotypes
around blacks at the time. How is his perception different than Iago’s?
BRABANTIO
You evil thief, where have you hidden my daughter? You devil, you’ve put a spell on
her! Anybody with eyes could tell you that a beautiful and happy young girl like her,
who’s refused to marry all of the handsome young men of the city, wouldn’t run off with a
black thing like you unless she’d been bewitched. You’re something to fear, not to love.
It’s obvious to everyone that you’ve tricked her, drugged her or kidnapped her. That’s
probably what happened, so I’m arresting you. — Arrest this man as a practitioner of
black magic. Grab him! If he struggles, use force!
12. For fun: Hear the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s rap about Othello-however it does give away
bits of the play so if you don't want to know what happens, don't click on the link!
Rap