Shakespeare’s Othello
Setting
• Shakespeare’s tragic play
Othello begins in Venice
• During Shakespeare’s
time, Venice was a
cosmopolitan center of
international trade
• Venice was more relaxed
in its rules, similar to
how Las Vegas is seen
today
Setting, continued . . .
• The play later changes its
setting to Cyprus, a Republic
between Greece and Turkey
• In Othello, Cyprus is a
stronghold in the war
against the Turks.
• As a setting, Cyprus also
provides isolation for the
characters
Major Themes
• Appearance versus Reality
– Shakespeare often asks his audience
whether or not they should accept things
based on face value
– Throughout the play, certain characters
portray themselves as something they are
not for their own gain
Racial Prejudice/Otherness
• Othello is a black man in a white man’s
world
• His ‘otherness’ is often exploited by
those around him
• Before we even meet Othello, he is
negatively stereotyped based on his color
Interpersonal Relationships
• Unlike Macbeth, which focuses
on relationships of power, such
as who will be the next king,
Othello focuses on the
complexity of interpersonal
relationships
• Jealousy, lust and deception
prove to be detrimental
emotions that can destroy
personal relationships
Motifs
• Animal imagery
– This motif underscores the theme of Racial
Prejudice
– Othello is often referred to in animalistic terms
• Other motifs to watch for are:
– Dark versus Light
– Demon and Monster imagery
Dramatis Personae
• Othello
 The play’s protagonist
and tragic hero
 A noble moor in
service of the Venetian
state
 In Shakespeare’s time,
a Moor was the name
for anyone of North
African descent,
usually from the
Moroccan region
• Iago
• Othello’s ancient
( a military rank
below lieutenant )
• The antagonist
and villain of the
play
• Iago professes his
distaste in being
passed up for the
lieutenant
position in the
beginning of
Act 1
• Cassio
• Othello’s lieutenant
• Although younger and
more inexperienced than
Iago, he is above his
command in Othello’s
army
• Bianca
• Cassio’s mistress in
Cyprus
Desdemona
– Othello’s wife
– Daughter of the
Venetian senator
Brabantio
Emilia
– Iago ’s wife, she is
distrustful of her
husband
– Desdemona’s
attendant
• Roderigo
– A jealous suitor of Desdemona
– Gives Iago money to help him woo her from
Othello
Other Characters . . .
• Duke of Venice
• Gratiano (Brabantio’s
brother)
• Lodovico (Brabantio’s
relative)
• Mantano (Othello’s
predecessor - Cyprus)
• Clown ( Othello’s servant )