The English Renaissance

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The English Renaissance

• Othello Character Bookmark

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English Renaissance

• Lasted from 1485-1625
• Renaissance means rebirth. It was a secular
  movement that encouraged voyages of discovery and
  human aspirations. Began in Italy in 1350 and
  moved toward England in the late 1400s.
• Reformation Inspired by Martin Luther.
  Reformation thinkers wanted to reform the
  Catholic church, which was viewed as corrupt.

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Important Dates

• 1485 Henry VII becomes king of England, ending
  the civil war that lasted for 30 years between
  the Yorks and Lancasters. He became the first
  Tudor King.
• King Henry VIII became king in 1547. He had 6
  wives
• Catherine of Aragon (annulled died while
  detained under guard at Kimbolton Castle)
• Anne Boleyn (annulled and later executed)
• Jane Seymour (died days after giving birth,
  widely believed to be following birth
  complications)
• Anne of Cleves (annulled)
• Catherine Howard (annulled and later executed)
• Catherine Parr (widowed).

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Henry VIII

• 1534 established the Protestant church (he was
  the boss). Was called the Church of England.
• Died in 1547 from obesity (theorists think
  diabetes played a part in his death)
• His daughter with Anne Bolyen, Elizabeth, is
  named Queen when she comes of age.

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Important Dates Continued

• 1558 Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England.
• Reigns from 1558-1603
• Called the most successful monarch of England,
  like ever!
• Established England as a protestant nation
• Her reign was called the Golden Age of peace
  and prosperity
• 1564 William Shakespeare is born.
• 1588 England defeats the Spanish Armada (Spain
  thought they could overthrow a womanQE shows em
  whos boss!)
• 1594 Romeo and Juliet is penned
• 1599 Globe Theater opens

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Queen Elizabeth

• Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era
• The period is famous for the flourishing
  of English arts and drama, led by playwrights
  such as William Shakespeare, and for the
  seafaring prowess of English adventurers such
  as Francis Drake.

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Important Dates Continued

• 1600 East India Trading Company is founded
• 1603 Elizabeth I dies (she was unmarried and had
  no childrencalled the virgin queen).
• James I becomes kingnot the best of kings! He
  and Parliament did not see eye to eye on how the
  country should be run.
• 1606 Guy Fawkes executed for Gunpowder plot
  (plot to blow up Parliament)V for Vendetta
• 1620 Pilgrims land in Plymouth
• 1625 James I dies, thus ending the English
  Renaissance period in England.

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Othello

• He is the plays protagonist
• He is a tragic hero
• He is a Moor (North African)
• Powerful military leader
• Free, open, trusting character which is also his
  tragic flaw because it leads to his downfall in
  the end

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Desdemona

• Secretly married to Othello
• She is white, which causes problems because she
  ran away with a black man
• Very strong female character because she
  constantly stands up for and to Othello
• She is in many ways the Damsel of the play, but
  is put out there as a temptress as well

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Iago

• Othellos ensign (military position under
  Othello)
• He is the villain, or shadow, of the play
• His personality is opposite of Othello very
  manipulative and cunning and deceitful
• He is jealous b/c Othello chose another character
  (Cassio) for a promotion over him
• Hates women in general
• Has no real motivation for being a jerk, he just
  is one

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Cassio

• Othellos lieutenant
• He was promoted instead of Iago, so Iago hates
  him
• He is kind of a ladies man
• He is the one who is truly devoted to Othello
  (best friend you could say)
• He would be the companion figure in the play

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Emilia

• Iagos wife and Desdemonas attendant
• Loves Desdemona
• Distrusts her husband b/c he is very flirty with
  the ladies

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Roderigo

• In love with Desdemona but she refused him
• Jealous of Othello
• Easily manipulated by Iago to do his bidding
  against Othello

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Bianca

• A less than reputable woman in town (local
  prostitute)
• Cassio is her favorite customer
• Definitely the temptress

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Brabantio

• Desdemonas father
• Was Othellos friend until he found out that
  Othello and his daughter were secretly married
• Uses Othellos race as a reason why his daughter
  should not marry Othello

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Duke of Venice

• The authority figure in Venice
• Respects Othello for his military skills
• Kind of a mentor figure for Othello

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Montano, Lodovico, and Graziano

• Montano governor before Othello
• Lodovico Barbantios kinsman and relays
  messages from Venice to Cyprus.
• Graziano another of Barbantios kinsman who
  travels with Lodovico

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Brief Summary

• They play is set in Venice, Italy.
• Currently at war, but trying to prevent it
• Othello is the Dukes main military leader and
  sends him to Cyprus to fight
• Othello is married secretly to Desdemona, against
  her fathers approval
• Iago is jealous of Othello and Cassio, so he
  tries to break up his marriage and make Othello
  go mad by saying that Desdemona is unfaithful to
  Othello by sleeping with his best friend Cassio.
• Chaos ensues!