Othello, the Moor of Venice An overview of the play.

Background of the Play When it was performed The source material The original “moral of the story”

The Historical Context Locations of the play When it takes place Why Venice? Why Cyprus?

Venice and Cyprus

Othello as Moor Cultural information Racial information Questions about Othello’s race The Moor in literature

What’s important Structure and scope Small cast Iago and his motivations (“It’s Othello’s tragedy, but it’s Iago’s play.”) The power of language The destruction of Othello and Desdemona Othello’s identity issues Iago’s relationship with the audience

Keywords and Tensions Key words to remember as you read Tensions that drive the play forward

Characters Othello and Desdemona Iago and Emilia Cassio and Bianca Rodrigo Brabantio