Society And Locations

Othello Society and locations in the play MOOR. In Shakespeare's time, equivalent to "African," with the expectation that such a person would be negro. "Moor" was not a negative or derogatory word. Originally, it meant "native of Mauretania," a country in north Africa, but its meaning had become generalized by the 17th century. ANCIENT. A military rank (same word as "ensign"), properly of a standard-bearer, the man who carried the flag on the battlefield. Because the flag identified the location of the army in battle, it was crucial to allowing the soldiers to find their position. The ensign/ancient had to be extremely courageous and loyal, maintaining his position in the face of death. Of course it is ironic that Iago, the deceiver, should have this particular rank. He is aware of this irony and enjoys it; at one point, Iago says he "must show out a flag and sign of love" to Othello, "which is indeed but [only] sign" (I.l.153-54). Although he likes the irony, Iago resents his rank, which does not require intellectual skills like that of Cassio (trained in battle strategy). Iago is third in command to Othello, behind Cassio. LIEUTENANT. The rank which Cassio has just been given, literally meaning "placeholder." Second in command to Othello, he holds Othello's place in his absence. Ironically, Othello comes to believe that Cassio holds Othello's place in Desdemona's affections. Even more ironically, the play ends with Cassio literally put into Othello's place as governor of Cyprus. CYPRUS. This island, near Turkey and Syria, was annexed by Venice in 1489 and conquered by the Turks in 1571 (33 years before Othello was written). The play presents a wish-fulfillment destruction of the Turkish fleet that leaves the island Venetian. Venice did in fact undo Turkish seapower that same year in the victory of Lepanto, but it did not reconquer Cyprus. So Shakespeare is working within the framework of actual history but not following the events as they did happen. VENICE. An oligarchic city-state of enormous mercantile wealth, Venice in Shakespeare's time was a byword for luxury and culture and was also famous for its judicial system (perhaps relevant to Othello's death sentence on himself at the end of the tragedy). Its trade was partially choked off by the growing power of the Turkish empire in the 16th century, which extended into Europe as well as Asia and Arabia. Hence the importance of Cyprus. Venice was a Christian state; Turkey was Moslem. OTTOMAN, OTTOMITES. These terms (I.3.49, II.3.170) refer to the Turks. OTHELLO'S POSITION AND STATUS. Othello is a professional soldier who, after much battlefield experience, is currently employed by Venice as general of its

forces. He is called "General" or, sometimes, "Captain." He holds a high position and is greatly respected. In Act I, he is sent by the Venetian government to defend Cyprus against an impending attack by the Turks. Othello is a Christian. By the 17th century, this would be unusual for an African, since all countries of Africa that had ever been Christian had become Moslem, except Ethiopia. Shakespeare probably imagined Othello either as a convert to Christianity or as a member of a minority Christian group in an African country. The play is vague about Othello's exact origins. SOCIAL STATUS OF OTHER CHARACTERS Cassio is clearly a "gentleman," a member of the gentry. He comes from Florence, a city known for its high culture. He has been educated (he is an "arithmetician" trained in the history of warfare [I.i.16-24]: a theoretical strategist). He has fine manners with ladies (II.i.l65-175). Roderigo is also a gentleman, a member of the gentry from Venice. We know he owns land, because he says he is going to sell it all (I.iii.373). We know he is affluent, because Iago has been regularly getting money from him and expects to get more (I.i.2-3; I.iii.374). He has enough money to send gifts of rich jewels to Desdemona (IV.ii.183-85). When we first meet him, he would like to marry Desdemona; this would be an appropriate match socially for both of them. Desdemona is a lady, a member of the gentry from Venice. Her father is a senator, which automatically means he would be of the gentry or nobility. Iago appears to be not of the gentry class. He is sarcastic about Cassio's fine manners (II.i.165-175) and education. He does not seem to be affluent. He has been a footsoldier and has only now achieved promotion. Emilia also is not a member of the gentry. Neither she nor Iago appear to see anything inappropriate or insulting in Emilia's being asked to act as Desdemona's personal attendant, so we can take it that she is (and her husband as well) below Desdemona in social position.