Context

• Shakespeare began writing during the English Renaissance Period, lasting from the 15th-17th century. In the English Renaissance, there was a cultural movement which saw a flourish in Latin and Greek philosophies
• One of Shakespeare's main inspirations for his plot for Othello comes from Gil Hecatommithi by Cinitho, published in 1565
• Gil Hecatommithi tells the story of Disdemona and a Moor captain, portraying Disdemona as infidel - Similarly like Othello, the Moor kills Disdemona
• Shakespeare makes adjustments to Cinthio's version:

  -Adds Iago's ambiguity to portray himself as more evil than Cinthio's Ensign and gives him more time through his soliloquies

  -Shakespeare adds Brabantio add to Othello's insecurities as he opposes his marriage to his daughter through his ethnicity - a potential reason why he succumbs to Iago's manipulations

  -Roderigo is added to add more depth to Iago's character, another character to manipulate, giving the reader a greater impression of Iago's web of authority
• Othello begins in Venice - in the 16th and 17th century, Venice had a reputation as cosmopolitan and a diverse city, full of wealth and political stability
• Venice was a rare example of a contemporary republic government. With the Tudor era ending and people wondering who would succeed the heirless Elizabeth I, there was a widespread belief that the Republic of Venice could be a new alternative
• Venice was known for its diversity in population, home to people from cultural and ethnic backgrounds, like Othello who immigrated and adopted Ventian values
• Venice was also deemed exotic, as it had close trading ties with North Africa and the Middle East
• Venice was simultaneously associated with exotic excitement but dangerous otherworldliness and on the edge of 'civilisation', therefore feared - We see the contrast as some are fascinated by Othello's story but Iago and Brabantio use anti-black derogatory language
• In Shakespearen England, Moor had many definitions and could describe anyone from any region of Africa. Although Othello's precise origin is not known, Ventians are full aware of his Otherness
• In the 16th and 17th century, black could refer to both morality and race; white stood for purity and innocence, where black was the antithesis
• The Venetian-Ottoman war also adds another potential incentive for fuel anger against Othello, as the would have subtle distrust of him having been a convert. Although his fighting against the Ottoman Empire indicates his dedication to Christianity
• Another religious motive is the grounded concept of the Great Chain of Beings, a concept severally used in Shakespeare's works. As Othello is described as a "black ram" and "Barbary Horse" perceives Moors and people of African descent to be less than human in the eyes of Venetians and God
• Women were subordinates to their husbands and father, while when they married, everything they owned became their husband's possession
• Venice was thought of a city famous for the freedoms and the liberality it offered its inhabitants and its reputation thought of it as a place of sexual freedom. This is manifested in Othello when the male characters are quick to assume that their wives are unfaithful