the english renaissance othello character bookmark
TRANSCRIPT
English Renaissance
0Lasted from 1485-16250Renaissance: 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 1400’s.
0Reformation: Inspired by Martin Luther. Reformation thinkers wanted to reform the Catholic church, which was viewed as corrupt.
Important Dates:
0 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.
0 King Henry VIII became king in 1547. He had 6 wives:0 Catherine of Aragon (annulled; died while detained under
guard at Kimbolton Castle);0 Anne Boleyn (annulled and later executed);0 Jane Seymour (died days after giving birth, widely believed to
be following birth complications);0 Anne of Cleves (annulled);0 Catherine Howard (annulled and later executed);0 Catherine Parr (widowed).
Henry VIII0 1534: established the
Protestant church (he was the boss). Was called the Church of England.
0 Died in 1547 from obesity (theorists think diabetes played a part in his death)
0 His daughter with Anne Bolyen, Elizabeth, is named Queen when she comes of age.
Important Dates Continued:
0 1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England.0 Reigns from 1558-16030 Called the most successful monarch of England, like ever!0 Established England as a protestant nation0 Her reign was called the “Golden Age” of peace and prosperity
0 1564: William Shakespeare is born.0 1588: England defeats the Spanish Armada (Spain thought
they could overthrow a woman…QE shows ‘em who’s boss!)
0 1594: Romeo and Juliet is penned0 1599: Globe Theater opens
Queen Elizabeth
0 Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era
0 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.
Important Dates Continued:
01600: East India Trading Company is founded01603: Elizabeth I dies (she was unmarried and had no
children…called the “virgin queen”).0 James I becomes king…not the best of kings! He and
Parliament did not see eye to eye on how the country should be run.
01606: Guy Fawkes executed for Gunpowder plot (plot to blow up Parliament)…V for Vendetta
01620: Pilgrims land in Plymouth01625: James I dies, thus ending the English
Renaissance period in England.
Othello
0 He is the play’s protagonist0 He is a tragic hero0 He is a Moor (North
African)0 Powerful military leader0 Free, open, trusting
character which is also his tragic flaw because it leads to his downfall in the end
Desdemona
0 Secretly married to Othello0 She is white, which causes
problems because she ran away with a black man
0 Very strong female character because she constantly stands up for and to Othello
0 She is in many ways the Damsel of the play, but is put out there as a temptress as well
Iago0 Othello’s ensign (military position
under Othello)0 He is the villain, or shadow, of the
play0 His personality is opposite of
Othello; very manipulative and cunning and deceitful
0 He is jealous b/c Othello chose another character (Cassio) for a promotion over him
0 Hates women in general0 Has no real motivation for being a
jerk, he just is one
Cassio
0 Othello’s lieutenant0 He was promoted instead
of Iago, so Iago hates him0 He is kind of a ladies man0 He is the one who is truly
devoted to Othello (best friend you could say)
0 He would be the companion figure in the play
Emilia
0 Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant
0Loves Desdemona0Distrusts her husband
b/c he is very flirty with the ladies
Roderigo
0 In love with Desdemona but she refused him
0 Jealous of Othello0Easily manipulated by
Iago to do his bidding against Othello
Bianca
0A less than reputable woman in town (local prostitute)
0Cassio is her favorite customer
0Definitely the temptress
Brabantio
0Desdemona’s father0Was Othello’s friend
until he found out that Othello and his daughter were secretly married
0Uses Othello’s race as a reason why his daughter should not marry Othello
Duke of Venice
0The authority figure in Venice0Respects Othello for his military skills0Kind of a mentor figure for Othello
Montano, Lodovico, and Graziano
0Montano: governor before Othello0Lodovico: Barbantio’s kinsman and relays messages
from Venice to Cyprus.0Graziano: another of Barbantio’s kinsman who travels
with Lodovico
Brief Summary0 They play is set in Venice, Italy.0 Currently at war, but trying to
prevent it0 Othello is the Duke’s main
military leader and sends him to Cyprus to fight
0 Othello is married secretly to Desdemona, against her father’s approval
0 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.
0 Chaos ensues!