| Background facts | written in 16041st performed in front of King James IRichard Burbage played Othello Margaret Hughes played Desdemona (1660, first woman actor)backdrop of wars between Venice & Turkey |
| Symbolism | Blackness: evil & deathOthello: good natured (fatal flaw); noble |
| What did Venice look like? | Northwestern Italywaterways instead of roadswooden foundationshigh prostitution located on trade routehome to Armenians, Turks, Greeks, Jews |
| What does Cyprus look like/located? | Island south of TurkeyVenetian outpost attacked by Turks in 1570 and conquered by Ottomans in 1571 |
| Who were the Venetians? Moors? | Venetians: residents of Venice; did business with Moors but didn’t socializeMoors: dark skinned, muslim; from Africa and immigrated to Venice; black was considered sinful so in plays, they were stereotyped as villains |
| What were the military duties of ranked officers? | General- highest rank and most prestigiousLieutenant- assistant/second in commandMarshall/Ensign- assistant |
| What was the role of lower class woman? | little to no rightscooking, cleaning, caring for childrenbe obedient to men |
| What was expected of a daughter? | hardly any respect or kindnessparents were disappointed father took bids for marriage to daughter |
| What was expected of a bride? | bring a dowry into marriage to benefit the family |
| What were the rules of courtship? | ladies courted by noblemen and knightsmen wooed the women with gifts and flirtingrelationships were pre-arranged |
| What did the Venetian noblewomen wear? Sumptuary laws? | punishments: fines, loss of property, and deathlonger the train, the more wealthsilver and gold |
| What did Venetian noblemen wear? | hats were a symbol of rankboots from ankle to kneericher the man, the fancier the attire |
| What was the role of a noblewoman? | help husbands run the estateoversee servantscure sick and injured birth a son |
| What were the roles and duties of a lady-in-waiting? | acts as queen’s servant or companiontends to any attire mishaps, etc.cares for childrenprovides entertainment |
| What was a sea voyage like? | cramped and little roomships caravels and cannons |
| Who were the Ottoman Turks? | Turkish tribes went to war over Christian Europedecline of leadership and economy |
| What relationships were acceptable? | must be of same religionparents come into agreementno adulteryno intimacy before marriage |
| Wedding | Crying/Posting of the Banns ring finger from Renaissancewore best dress not white |
| Difference between a Duke and a Senator | Duke: higher rank; title passed down through family generationsSenator: appointed position; lower ranksame social circlewhite, wealthy Venetians |
Othello
July 22, 2019