1. Background to Othello Shakespearean Tragedy

2. Origin Based on a true story Original short story written by an Italian named Cinthio

3. The story takes place in two main locations: Venice, Italy the island of Cyprus, which is off the coast of Turkey Setting

4. Map of Europe in the 1500’s

5. Setting cont. Venice controlled the island of Cyprus from 1489-1570. The island was a place for commerce Strategic military location for the Venetian fleet Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.

6. Setting cont. Othello is asked to help defend Cyprus against the Ottoman Turks. Desdemona accompanies Othello to Cyprus. It is unusual that a woman would go with her husband on military business.

7. Venice At that time, Venice was a city-state, ruled by a Duke Laws were also made by a body of senators

8. Othello was a general who ran the military A highly respected position of power Othello is a Moor [a native of North Africa, usually Muslim] Moors are sometimes considered as black or Arabic Othello, once a slave, has been accepted into Venetian society and has converted to Christianity Othello the Moor

9. Essential Traits of a Tragic Hero He has a tragic flaw which leads to his downfall He must will to suffer; it must be a conscious act His suffering must be great and he must be intensely occupied by it He must be fighting in vain against a superior force He must learn from his suffering He must be able to accept personal guilt for his acts

10. CASSIO The General’s second in command is a lieutenant [Michael Cassio] Young and handsome He is given the position that Iago desired

11. IAGO Ancient (pronounced “en-sin”) The General’s personal servant and third in command Married to Emilia (Desdemona’s attendant) Is passed up for a promotion

12. Desdemona White, noble woman Elopes with Othello daughter of a senator named Brabantio