By the Bard

As usual…just an idea he adoptedThe plot of Shakespeare's Othello

is largely taken from Giraldi Cinthio's Gli Hecatommithi, a tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal

However, the characters, themes, and attitudes of the works are vastly different, with Shakespeare's play being a more involved study of human nature and psychology.

Setting

Begins in Venice, Italy and transitions to the island of Cyprus

Printed in 1622

Background InfoOthello also touches upon a major issue in

Europe of this time periodThe intermingling of Muslim religion and culture with the WestRacial issues abounded during this time period.

Othello is considered to be a prime example of Aristotelian drama (Tragic Hero’s downfall due to hubris, etc.)

It focuses upon a very small cast of characters, one of the smallest used in Shakespeare, has few distractions from the main plot arc, and concentrates on just a few themes, like jealousy

Background Info

IagoThe character of Iago is a variation

on the Vice figure found in earlier morality plays

He deviates from this model because of his lack of a clear motivation

Why is it so popular? One reason for the overwhelming

popularity of the play throughout the ages is that it focuses on two people who defied society in order to follow their own hearts

Themes Appearance vs.

reality Race Pride Magic

Order vs. chaos Good vs. evil Honesty Self-knowledge