Background to Othello

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Background to Othello quizzes
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• Based on a true story, an Italian prose tale
  written in 1565 by Cinthio
• Shakespeare used the basic story of the
  Venetian-Turk conflict combined with Cinthios
  story of a Moorish general deceived by an ensign
  into believing that his wife was unfaithful,
  developed a treacherous arch-villain, Iago,
  compressed the action into a few days, and presto
  . . . . Othello, performed in The Globe before
  King James I on November 1, 1604!

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• Set in Cyprus, which was a Venetian outpost
  attacked by the Turks in 1570 and conquered the
  following year
• Shakespeare probably read of this in The History
  of Turks by Richard Knowles (1603).

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• At that time, Venice was a city-state, ruled by a
  Duke and governed by a body of Senators

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• The military was run by a General (Othello), a
  Moor (highly unusual)
• Elizabeth I ordered banishment of blackamoors
• 1600 a Moorish ambassador came to England and
  colluded with Elizabeth on ways the two could
  work together against the Spanish in Africa.

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

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• The Generals second in command was a lieutenant
  Michael Cassio

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• The Generals personal servant and third in
  command was called an Ancient (pronounced
  en-sin) Iago

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

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Act I Scene i

• Venice
• R I arguing
• R learns that Desdemona has married Othello
• I tells R that he hates O
• C has been appointed to 2nd in command
• I had 3 good references, but O gave the position
  to a mathematician
• I has proven himself in battle and is ANGRY and
  will get revenge

• R I plan to get O by breaking the news of his
  elopement to B
• R I cry thieves and stir up the Senator about
  his daughter
• I profanely tells B what O has done with the
  daughter
• B begins the search for D
• I returns to O

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Act 1 Scene ii

• I warns O about B who will force a divorce
• A group of men approach
• officers from the Venetian Court bringing O
  message that the Duke needs him
• Turks are heading towards Rhodes and then to
  Cyprus . . . BIG military trouble
• I tries to tell C that O is married, but is
  interrupted
• B decides to bring his complaint to the Duke

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Act I Scene iii

• B asks that all military news be put aside
• Duke asks O about D
• Used no magic, just told my story
• D loves O and O loves D
• D pledges love O over her father
• D is allowed to go to Cyprus with O
• R plans to drown himself
• I chastises him
• I plans revenge through C

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Act I Quiz

• 1. What was Iago's complaint in Scene 1?
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• 2. Who was Brabantio?
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• 3. Why did Iago and Roderigo awaken Brabantio in
  the middle of the night?
•  
• 4. True or False Iago left Roderigo at
  Brabantio's house because he didn't want to be
  seen as being against Othello.
•  
• 5. What was Brabantio's reaction to Othello's
  marriage to Desdemona?
•  
• 6. Why did the Duke send for Othello?
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• 7. Brabantio complains to the Duke about
  Othello's marriage to Desdemona. After listening
  to both sides of the story, what was the Duke's
  reply?
•  
• 8. What was Roderigo's complaint?
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• 9. What was Iago's reply to Roderigo's complaint?
•  

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Act I Dialectical Journal Sample

• I follow him to serve my turn . . . P5
• Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves! p6

• Wow! What a two-faced guy Iago is. He hates
  Othello but serves him to get revenge only. He
  is not to be trusted. Othello should beware of
  this man.
• Iago instigates telling Brabantio of the
  elopement of Desdemona and implies that Othello
  has stolen her from her father. Why is Iago
  doing this? Could this be part of the plan of
  revenge? This is a wicked way to break the news
  to the Senator. Why not let Othello and
  Desdemona do this themselves?

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Act II Quiz

• 10. True or False Iago wanted Roderigo to anger
  Cassio. He thought this would show that Cassio
  was undisciplined and then he would be relieved
  of his duty. This would allow Roderigo a better
  chance of getting Desdemona, since Othello and
  Desdemona would have to stay longer until a
  replacement for Cassio could be found.
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• 11. True or False Iago was encouraging and using
  Roderigo in order to get revenge on him
  (Roderigo) for a wrong that Roderigo's father had
  done to Iago's father, although it happened many
  years ago, Iago had sworn revenge, and saw his
  chance now.
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• 12. How did Iago cause Cassio to be
  argumentative?
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• 13. What lie did Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
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• 14. What was the result of Iago's crafty
  explanation of Cassio's fight with Roderigo?
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• 15. Why did Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for
  help in restoring Othello's faith in Cassio?

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Of Kings, Queens, Poets Quiz

• Who enriched the English language with new words
  and poetic imagery?
• Shakespeare was strongly influenced by the
  concept of dictatorial rule for the sake of
  peace. What is the theme that recurs most
  frequently in his historical plays and tragedies
  as a result?
• How was the name of an acting company chosen?
• What is a miracle play? Give an example of what
  might be in such a play.
• At what age did Shakespeares formal education
  end?
• Where did Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and other
  dramatists often meet to discuss their work?
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