Historical context (Othello)

This section explains the historical context of Othello by William Shakespeare. Understanding the historical context of Othello helps to deepen our comprehension of the play’s themes, characters, and the issues Shakespeare was addressing during the time it was written. Othello was composed in approximately 1603 and reflects the social, cultural, and political landscape of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Renaissance Era

Othello was written during the English Renaissance, a period of flourishing arts, literature, and intellectual discovery in Europe. This era was marked by an increased interest in classical ideas and humanism, which influenced Shakespeare’s exploration of complex human emotions and motivations such as jealousy, love, and ambition.

Humanism: The play reflects the Renaissance interest in the individual’s emotional and psychological depth. Othello, Iago, and Desdemona are depicted as complex characters, whose thoughts and feelings reflect human struggles such as insecurity, passion, and betrayal.

The Influence of Venice

Much of Othello is set in Venice, a powerful and wealthy city-state in the 16th century. Venice was known for its thriving commerce, political influence, and strong military presence, making it a fitting setting for a play about power, loyalty, and military service.

Venetian Society: Venice was also famous for its multicultural population due to its position as a trading hub. The city’s racial diversity is significant to the play’s themes, especially regarding Othello’s status as a Moor in a predominantly white European society. Venetian culture also valued honour and reputation, both of which are central to Othello’s concerns throughout the play.

The Moors in Early Modern Europe

Othello is a Moor, a term historically used to describe people of North African descent or, more generally, people of darker skin. In Shakespeare’s time, Moors were often viewed with a mixture of fascination and fear, seen as exotic but also associated with stereotypes of being uncivilised or barbaric.

Racial Stereotypes: Early modern European views on race were shaped by limited knowledge and encounters with people from other parts of the world. Othello is portrayed as both respected and feared for his military skills, yet he is also the subject of racial prejudice. Characters such as Iago and Brabantio frequently use derogatory racial language, reflecting the xenophobia of the time.

Islam and Christianity: During the Renaissance, Moors were often linked to Islam, which was seen as a rival religion to Christianity, particularly in the context of the Crusades and the on-going conflicts between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Othello’s conversion to Christianity is significant, as it suggests that he has tried to assimilate into Venetian society, yet he remains an outsider due to his race.

 The Role of Women in the 16th and 17th Centuries

In Shakespeare’s time, women were expected to be obedient, chaste, and subservient to men, both in the domestic and social spheres. They had limited rights and were often seen as property of their fathers or husbands.

Desdemona is depicted as a loving and loyal wife, but her decision to marry Othello without her father’s consent challenges social norms. Her disobedience to her father and eventual victimisation at the hands of Othello highlight the vulnerable position of women in a patriarchal society.

Emilia, on the other hand, provides a more outspoken and critical view of the gender inequalities of the time. She challenges traditional gender roles, especially in her critique of male behaviour, suggesting early feminist ideas in her discussions with Desdemona about men’s treatment of women.

The Military Context

Othello is a general in the Venetian army, reflecting the high value placed on military prowess and loyalty during Shakespeare’s time. The military culture is key to the plot, as Othello’s status and honour are closely tied to his role as a soldier.

The Ottoman Empire: The Turks (Ottomans) are the external threat that drives the Venetian state to send Othello and his forces to Cyprus. The conflict between the Christian Venetian state and the Muslim Ottoman Empire echoes the broader European fear of Ottoman expansion, which was a real political concern during the Renaissance.

Othello’s experience as a military man also shapes his character. He is used to control and command, but when faced with personal insecurities—particularly in his marriage—he struggles to maintain the same authority, leading to his tragic downfall.

Religion and Morality

Christianity plays a central role in Renaissance society, influencing ideas of morality, sin, and forgiveness. In Othello, Christian values of love, loyalty, and forgiveness are juxtaposed against deception, jealousy, and revenge.

Iago’s amorality: Iago’s lack of clear moral values and his manipulative behaviour would have been particularly shocking to a contemporary audience. His character lacks religious motivation or repentance, contrasting with Othello’s strong sense of honour and Desdemona’s innocence. Iago is a prime example of a Renaissance villain, driven by personal ambition and envy rather than any higher purpose.

Colonialism and Exploration

During the Renaissance, Europe was in the midst of the Age of Exploration, where nations sought to expand their territories and engage in trade with the East and the Americas. Encounters with people from different parts of the world were becoming more common.

Othello’s role as an outsider and a warrior from foreign lands reflects the anxieties surrounding European encounters with the wider world. Although Othello is respected for his military accomplishments, his status as a black man in a predominantly white society makes him vulnerable to prejudice, reflecting the tensions between the familiar and the foreign during this era of exploration.

The Influence of Classical Tragedy

Shakespeare’s Othello is influenced by the conventions of classical tragedy, especially those established by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. According to Aristotle, a tragedy must feature a tragic hero who possesses a fatal flaw (hamartia) that leads to his downfall. Othello’s hamartia is his jealousy and insecurity, exacerbated by Iago’s manipulation.

The play also contains elements of catharsis, where the audience experiences both pity and fear for the tragic hero. Othello’s eventual realisation of his mistakes and his death evoke both sympathy and a sense of inevitability, consistent with the classical tragic form.

Shakespeare’s England: Social and Political Context

Shakespeare wrote during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and later King James I. The stability of the Elizabethan era and the early Jacobean era was a time of great political and social change. Questions of authority, governance, and power are all central to Othello.

Race and Otherness: England in Shakespeare’s time had limited exposure to people of different races, yet there was a growing awareness due to the rise of exploration and the beginning of colonisation of the Americas. Although Othello is portrayed as a heroic and noble figure, the play also reflects the racial prejudices and fears of the period.

Conclusion:

The historical context of Othello is essential in understanding the play’s exploration of race, gender, and power. Shakespeare uses the setting of Venice, a hub of international trade and cultural exchange, to comment on themes of otherness and prejudice. The play also reflects contemporary attitudes towards race, women, and the military, while borrowing from classical tragic conventions. Understanding the social, political, and cultural backdrop of Shakespeare’s time enriches our interpretation of Othello and its relevance to issues still pertinent today.