OthelloOthello by: William by: William

ShakespeareShakespeare

*Background *Background Information*Information*

Miss AmorinMiss Amorin

Author- William ShakespeareAuthor- William Shakespeare

(April 23, 1564- April 23, 1616) from (April 23, 1564- April 23, 1616) from EnglandEngland

The most famous writer in all of English The most famous writer in all of English literature.literature.

He wrote 37 plays (tragedies and He wrote 37 plays (tragedies and comedies) and 154 sonnets.comedies) and 154 sonnets.

Most famous works are:Most famous works are:- - OthelloOthello- Hamlet- Hamlet- King Lear- King Lear- - A Taming of the ShrewA Taming of the Shrew

Othello, The Moor of VeniceOthello, The Moor of Venice(Pre-reading of play)(Pre-reading of play)

Written in 1603 or 1604.Written in 1603 or 1604. TRAGEDY-TRAGEDY- a type of play that ends in a a type of play that ends in a

disastrous manner, usually with the death disastrous manner, usually with the death or ruin of multiple characters.or ruin of multiple characters.

ProtagonistProtagonist- main character of a literary - main character of a literary work that is involved in central conflict of work that is involved in central conflict of story- usually heroic. story- usually heroic.

In a tragedy, the protagonist often In a tragedy, the protagonist often becomes a “tragic hero.” The tragic hero is becomes a “tragic hero.” The tragic hero is well liked and valiant but has a well liked and valiant but has a character character flawflaw that brings him/ her to ruin. that brings him/ her to ruin.

AntagonistAntagonist- the force working - the force working againstagainst the the protagonist (can be another character, protagonist (can be another character, society, nature, or internal force).society, nature, or internal force).

Setting- Setting- Venice, ItalyVenice, Italy

Characters’ names are Characters’ names are all Italian. The people all Italian. The people living in living in Venice, ItalyVenice, Italy were known as were known as ‘Venetians’.‘Venetians’.

The majority of the The majority of the Italians practiced Italians practiced CatholicismCatholicism. .

First Act of play takes First Act of play takes place in Veniceplace in Venice

Acts II, III, IV, and V Acts II, III, IV, and V take place in take place in CyprusCyprus- - an island off of Greecean island off of Greece

Seven Deadly SinsSeven Deadly Sins

Lust (extreme Lust (extreme desiredesire

Jealousy (envy)Jealousy (envy)Gluttony (over Gluttony (over

indulgence)indulgence)GreedGreedAngerAnger

PridePrideSloth (extreme Sloth (extreme

laziness)laziness)

OthelloOthello themes themes

Outsider/ PrejudiceOutsider/ PrejudiceLoveLove JealousyJealousyAppearance vs. RealityAppearance vs. Reality (‘seeing is believing’)(‘seeing is believing’)HonestyHonestyFalsenessFalsenessChristian valuesChristian values

Othello- Main characterOthello- Main character(an outsider in several ways)(an outsider in several ways)

Known as the ‘MOOR’ –dark skinned man Known as the ‘MOOR’ –dark skinned man usually of African descent (had reputation usually of African descent (had reputation of being ‘barbaric’- associating with of being ‘barbaric’- associating with witchcraft)witchcraft)

General of the Venetian ArmyGeneral of the Venetian Army

OUTSIDEROUTSIDER Black man (moor) in a white worldBlack man (moor) in a white world Muslim in a Christian worldMuslim in a Christian world Army man in a civilian worldArmy man in a civilian world African in an Italian WorldAfrican in an Italian World

Ideas to look for when reading Ideas to look for when reading playplay

Light vs. DarkLight vs. Dark (order – evil/malice)(order – evil/malice) Social classSocial class Gender rolesGender roles AuthorityAuthority Historical context Historical context

(battle of the (battle of the Venetians with Venetians with Turkey at Cyprus)Turkey at Cyprus)

Journal EntryJournal Entry

What would you do if your boss at work What would you do if your boss at work promoted another employee to a higher promoted another employee to a higher position (better job, more money, hours) position (better job, more money, hours) over you, even though you were more over you, even though you were more qualified for the job (more experience, qualified for the job (more experience, been at the business/company for longer, been at the business/company for longer, better suited for position)? Explain how better suited for position)? Explain how you would react and what you would do.you would react and what you would do.

Would you quit? Why or why not?Would you quit? Why or why not? Would you seek revenge?Would you seek revenge? Has a similar situation ever happened to Has a similar situation ever happened to

you?you?

Opening of playOpening of play

Main character, Othello, who is the general Main character, Othello, who is the general of the Venetian army is good friends with of the Venetian army is good friends with soldier, Iago.soldier, Iago.

There was a position open for lieutenant. There was a position open for lieutenant. Iago assumed he would get the position Iago assumed he would get the position because he was friends with Othello and because he was friends with Othello and the most qualified for the job.the most qualified for the job.

Othello hired Michael Cassio, an Othello hired Michael Cassio, an arithmetician instead. This causes Iago to arithmetician instead. This causes Iago to HATE Othello- seeks HATE Othello- seeks plan of REVENGEplan of REVENGE on on him. him.

Main CharactersMain Characters

Othello- ‘Moor’- general of Venetian ArmyOthello- ‘Moor’- general of Venetian Army Iago- soldier; Othello’s best friendIago- soldier; Othello’s best friend Desdemona- wife of Othello; high social classDesdemona- wife of Othello; high social class Emilia- Iago’s wife; Desdemona’s attendant Emilia- Iago’s wife; Desdemona’s attendant Brabantio- Desdemona’s fatherBrabantio- Desdemona’s father Michael Cassio- lieutenant of Venetian ArmyMichael Cassio- lieutenant of Venetian Army Roderigo- very wealthy; Iago’s ‘right hand man’Roderigo- very wealthy; Iago’s ‘right hand man’ Bianca- town hussyBianca- town hussy

Enjoy the play!!!Enjoy the play!!!