Othello: historical context

Historical Context of Othello

Context of the Elizabethan Era

Known to have been written in 1603-1604, Othello is set against the backdrop of the Elizabethan era.
This period was marked by England’s expansion of power, marked with military victories and establishment of overseas colonies.
Elizabethan society was also deeply hierarchical and patriarchal, which is mirrored in the rigid social stratifications and gender roles in the play.

Attitudes Towards Race in Elizabethan England

Othello is one of the first major roles in English literature written for a black character. Thought potentially based on Leo Africanus, a Moorish diplomat who visited and wrote about Africa, Othello’s character was unique for its time.
Elizabethan England had complex attitudes towards race and otherness, often based on religious and cultural difference rather than skin colour.
Shakespeare’s depiction of Othello as a noble, articulate man, but also as a foreigner susceptible to manipulation and jealousy, taps into contemporary fears and stereotypes.

Military Context

The events in Othello take place amid ongoing military conflicts between Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean.
Venice, where part of the play is set, was an independent republic and naval power, battling the Ottoman Empire during this period. These factors contribute to the play’s themes of war, fear of outsiders, and political intrigue.

The Moorish Presence in Europe

The term “Moor” was a quite ambiguous term in Elizabethan England, used to describe people of North African, Middle Eastern and sometimes Southern European descent.
The Moors made significant contributions to science, arts, and culture during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, but their Islamic faith led to conflict and tension with Christian Europe.
Othello’s identity as a Moor, and his status as an outsider in Venetian society, is a significant aspect of the play’s drama.

Venetian Society

The city of Venice, where most of the play is set, was seen as a symbol of wealth and civilisation, but also of decadence and moral corruption.
Venetian women were known for their education and independence compared to women in other parts of Europe, which provides context to Desdemona’s character and her defiance of her father to marry Othello.
However, the prevailing norms of patriarchy and paternal authority also shape the dynamics of the tragedy, with Desdemona’s supposed disobedience seen as a severe violation of social order.

Religion in Shakespeare’s England

England in the late 16th and early 17th century was heavily influenced by Christianity, specifically the Church of England established by Henry VIII.
The fear of others and outsiders had a religious aspect, with Catholics and Muslims, often seen as threats to English Protestant culture. Othello’s identity as a convert to Christianity from Islam further complicates his position in society.
The play’s references to heaven and hell, sin, and divine judgement reflect the deeply ingrained religious beliefs and values of the society.