Background to Othello

• Based on a true story

• Set in Venice, Italy

• At that time, Venice was a city-state, ruled by a Duke

• Laws were also made by a body of senators

• The military was run by a General [Othello]

• The General’s second in command was a lieutenant [Michael Cassio]

• The General’s personal servant and third in command was called an Ancient (pronounced “en-sin”) [Iago]

• Othello is a Moor [a native of North Africa, usually a Muslim]

• Othello, once a slave, has been accepted into Venetian society and has converted to Christianity

• As the play begins, Othello has just eloped with Desdemona, the daughter of a senator named Brabantio