Othello, the Moor of Venice

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Othello, the Moor of Venice

• by
• William Shakespeare

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Shakespeares Othello

• The plays first performance by the King's Men
  (Shakespeares acting company) was on November 1,
  1604.

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The World of Othello
Venice
North Africa
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The Setting Venice
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The Setting Cypress
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The Moors in Shakespeares Time

• Moors were seen as exotic and strange they were
  almost considered something other than human.
• It was a status symbol among the nobility and
  upper class to have a Moorish servant or page.
• The origin of the word Moor comes from the word
  mauri. Mauri refers to the Berbers who lived in
  the Roman province of Mauritania, in North
  Africa.

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The Main Characters Othello

• Othello is a Moor from North Africa.
• He has been promoted to the rank of general in
  the Venetian army.
• He has the respect and admiration of the Duke and
  council of Venice.
• He loves Desdemona, the daughter of a senator.

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The Main Characters Iago

• Iago is Othellos second in command.
• Hes angry because Othello gave the promotion of
  lieutenant to Cassio.
• Iago tells us that his mission in life is to ruin
  Othello.
• He is an enemy who pretends to be a friend to
  Othello.

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The Main Characters Desdemona

• Desdemona is seriously in love with Othello, and
  he loves her.
• Her father is a high ranking senator who,
  although he admires Othello, would never allow
  his daughter to marry a man of another race.
• Desdemona defies her father by eloping with
  Othello although he is older than she.

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The Main Characters Roderigo

• Roderigo, poor sap, is head over heels in love
  with Desdemona.
• He finds out about her elopement and falls apart.
• Iago, who is only using Roderigo for his money,
  talks him into telling Desdemonas father about
  her marriage.

Roderigo
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The Main Characters Cassio

• Cassio is a ladies man who is Othellos best
  friend and helped him win Desdemonas love.
• Cassio and Desdemona flirt in a friendly way, and
  Othello knows it.
• Cassio got the promotion Iago thought should be
  his, so Iago turns into Cassios frenemy too.

Cassio