Othello is viewed as a respected and authoritative figure in Cyprus, as evidenced by the opening scene where he is welcomed by the citizens and military personnel.
And now, looking more attentively
Othello, the protagonist of Shakespeare’s play, is viewed as a respected and authoritative figure in Cyprus. This is evident from the opening scene of the play where Othello is welcomed with great honor by the citizens and military personnel of the island. The Duke of Venice refers to him as “valiant Othello” and “worthy general.” The people of Cyprus have high regard for Othello due to his military achievements and his reputation as a just and fair leader.
According to the play, Othello has successfully defended Cyprus against the Turkish invasion. The Duke of Venice commends Othello for his invaluable service to the state, saying: “Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman.” The citizens of Cyprus also express their gratitude to Othello for saving their island from the Turkish threat. They greet him with cheers of “Long live Othello!” and “God bless the valiant Moor!”
Despite being a respected figure, Othello’s race remains a point of contention in the play. The fact that he is a black man in a predominantly white society makes some characters uneasy. This is evidenced by the remarks made by some characters, such as Iago, who refers to Othello as “the Moor” and “an old black ram.” These racial undertones lead to Othello’s eventual downfall in the play.
In conclusion, Othello is viewed as a noble and respectable figure in Cyprus due to his military achievements and reputation as a just and fair leader. However, the issue of his race remains a source of tension in the play.
Interesting facts:
- Cyprus was a Venetian colony during Shakespeare’s time, which is why the Duke of Venice is involved in the play.
- The character of Othello was based on a real-life North African Muslim, named Leo Africanus, who had converted to Christianity and become a high-ranking military commander in the Venetian army.
- Othello is one of Shakespeare’s few plays with a black protagonist.
- The play was first performed in 1604 and has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, and television.
| Interesting facts: | |
|---|---|
| Cyprus was a Venetian colony during Shakespeare’s time. | |
| The character of Othello was based on a real-life North African Muslim. | |
| Othello is one of Shakespeare’s few plays with a black protagonist. | |
| The play was first performed in 1604. |
Quote:
“Othello is a very human story of tragic, monstrous evil, a personal tragedy of the highest order.” – Ian McKellen, actor and director.
Video response
The video explores the significance of the settings, Venice and Cyprus, in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. Venice, a powerful and threatened city, is explored through its symbolic fairness. Meanwhile, Cyprus is described as a meeting point between the east and west, society and liberation, order, and chaos. The video delves into various scenes in the play, including the opening in a dark street and the personal scene between Emilia and Desdemona. The change in setting from Venice to Cyprus is also discussed, with the evil and darkness in Cyprus symbolizing blindness to reality. Finally, the video prompts viewers to engage in independent learning and compare the similarities and differences between Venice and Cyprus before exploring the sources Shakespeare drew from in the next video.
Other options for answering your question
How does Cyprus feel about Othello? 1) The Cypriots perceive Othello by means of a “worthy governor” (line 32) and also provide him with great respect. 2) They make him seem like a larger man rather than a smaller one because they constantly boast about him, talking about how wonderful he is.
1) The Cypriots perceive Othello by means of a “worthy governor” (line 32) and also provide him with great respect. 2) They make him seem like a larger man rather than a smaller one because they constantly boast about him, talking about how wonderful he is.