1. OTHELLO
Historical context

2. Geography Othello takes place in two countries:
Venice
Cyprus
The Republic of Venice existed from
It is located in present-day Italy.

4. Geography (cont’d)
Venice controlled the island of Cyprus from
The island was a place for commerce and a good location for the Venetian fleet in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.

5. Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the
Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey.

6. h

7. Geography in the Play Othello
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.

8. Types of People in Othello
Venetians
Most are noblemen and women (Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)
Also, there are the nobles’ servants (Emilia)
Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio, Iago)
Others are part of Venetian government (the Duke)

9. Types of People (cont’d)
Moors
Black nomadic people of the northern shores of Africa, originally the inhabitants of Mauretania
Converted to Islam in the 8th century

10. Moors (cont’d)
Invaded Spain in 711 and dominated until the 11th century
had great dynasties up until 1492, when the last of their cities was conquered by Spain
virtually exterminated by Spain during the Inquisition (late 1400s-1820)

11. Moors (cont’d) Othello is a Moor
Discriminated against because of his race (black)
Othello has been accepted in some ways because he is a Christian and a military genius
Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the prevailing view toward interracial marriage.

12. Works Cited
Chronological History of Cyprus Ege Universitesi. 9 Feb <
.ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/cyp1.html>.
Derhak, Dean. Muslim Spain and European Culture Muslim Spain and European Culture. 9 Feb <
index/moors.htm>.
Shakespeare, William. Othello. New York: Putnam,
Inc.1963.
The Venetian Period in Cyprus Ege Universitesi. 9 Feb <
.ege.edu.tr/~ncyprus/venedik.html>.