It is unclear if Shakespeare actually went to Cyprus or not. Some scholars speculate that he may have been inspired to write “Othello” based on accounts of the island, but there is no concrete evidence that he ever traveled there.
So let us examine the query more closely
It is speculated by some scholars that Shakespeare’s play “Othello” was inspired by accounts of Cyprus, but it is unclear if he ever set foot on the island himself. According to Caroline Alexander’s book “The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer’s Iliad and the Trojan War”, Shakespeare likely relied on travel accounts from sailors and merchants who had visited Cyprus:
“This needn’t preclude the likelihood of Shakespeare having talked to men who had actually been to Cyprus…but since contemporary travel accounts were written by sailors and merchants, Shakespeare – who was probably never out of England – had access to a vast amount of material now lost to us.”
Interesting facts about Shakespeare’s “Othello” and its connections to Cyprus include:
- The play is set in Cyprus during the Venetian-Ottoman War of the 16th century.
- The character of Othello is referred to as the “Moor of Venice” and is believed by some scholars to be either Arab or African.
- Cyprus was a significant location during the war, as it was one of the last Venetian territories in the eastern Mediterranean.
- The play features themes of jealousy, racism, and betrayal, and is considered one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” due to its complex and morally ambiguous characters.
Here’s a table summarizing the information:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Shakespeare’s visit to Cyprus | Unclear whether he actually went or relied on travel accounts |
| Inspiration for “Othello” | Likely influenced by travel accounts from sailors and merchants |
| Setting of “Othello” | Cyprus during the Venetian-Ottoman War |
| Character of Othello | Refers to himself as “the Moor of Venice”; uncertain ethnic background |
| Significance of Cyprus | One of the last Venetian territories in the eastern Mediterranean |
| Themes of “Othello” | Jealousy, racism, and betrayal; considered a “problem play” |
Overall, while it is unclear whether Shakespeare ever traveled to Cyprus, it is clear that the island played a significant role in his play “Othello” and served as a source of inspiration for its setting and characters.
Associated video
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.
Some more answers to your question
1589
SHAKESPEARE visited Cyprus in 1589, when he was twenty-five. …
SHAKESPEARE visited Cyprus in 1589, when he was twenty-five. …
SHAKESPEARE visited Cyprus in 1589, when he was twenty-five. …
More interesting questions on the issue
Why did Shakespeare use Cyprus?
While Venice would have represented a bustling city full of trade and wealth, it also reminded Shakespeare’s audience of immoral sexual practices. Given its association with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Cyprus would have symbolized sex as well.
What is the significance of Cyprus in Othello?
Ironically, Cyprus was also revered as the birthplace of Venus Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who was reputedly born in ocean foam and washed ashore near Nicosia. Inspired by this amorous deity, Cyprus provides the perfect location for Iago to convince Othello of his wife’s sexual infidelity.
Why did Shakespeare choose Venice and Cyprus as locations for this play?
As a setting, Venice serves Shakespeare’s needs of a place where a non-European, and potentially non-Christian, man could both hold significant authority but still be distrusted. A second factor which may have informed Shakespeare’s decision to set his play in Venice was the city’s reputation as a hub of prostitution.
Does Othello take place in Venice or Cyprus?
Venice is a place where Othello is an outsider and he marries Desdemona in secret. Venice is ruled by a senate which includes a ‘Duke’ and several senators. There is a war happening against the Turks and there are different ranks in the army.
Why did Shakespeare move the story from Venice to Cyprus?
This allows Shakespeare some licence to vary his plot a little and move the story from the safety of Venice to the unknown realm of Cyprus. Shakespeare has been known for moving the action of his plays- such as in Antony and Cleopatra it moves from civilized Rome to unrestrained Egypt.
Why does Othello move to Cyprus?
Answer: The action of The Tragedy of Othello moves to Cyprus when the Turks invade Venice, leading Othello and Desdemona to flee to the military encampment in Cyprus where they mistakenly believe their safety can be assured. Why is Othello set in Venice and Cyprus? Othello is set in Venice, presumably sometime in the latter half of the sixteenth-century.
Why is the move to Cyprus significant?
Symbolically, this move to Cyprus is significant because the safety of Cyprus is a false one; Othello and Desdemona ironically lose their lives in a place where they were originally hoping to be safe.
Who delegates Othello to Cyprus?
Answer to this: Othello must go immediately to Cyprus to command its defense, and Desdemona requests to go as well. The Duke grants her wish, and Othello, who must leave that night, delegates Iago to follow later in another ship, bringing Desdemona and whatever else is needed. Iago’s wife, Emilia, will look after Desdemona as her maid.
Why did Shakespeare move the story from Venice to Cyprus?
This allows Shakespeare some licence to vary his plot a little and move the story from the safety of Venice to the unknown realm of Cyprus. Shakespeare has been known for moving the action of his plays- such as in Antony and Cleopatra it moves from civilized Rome to unrestrained Egypt.
Why did the Duke send Othello to Cyprus?
The Turks are sailing to attack Cyprus and, as Othello is known to be a superior commander, the Duke sends him to Cyprus to take command of the soldiers there and protect the island. Othello proudly accepts the post but makes one request: As Desdemona is no longer welcome in her father’s home, he asks that she be allowed to join him in Cyprus.
What is the significance of Cyprus in the tragedy of Othello?
The response is: The island of Cyprus has important mythological significance as it has long been associated with Venus, the goddess of love. The action of The Tragedy of Othello moves to Cyprus when the Turks invade Venice, leading Othello and Desdemona to flee to the military encampment in Cyprus where they mistakenly believe their safety can be assured.
Why is the move to Cyprus significant?
As a response to this: Symbolically, this move to Cyprus is significant because the safety of Cyprus is a false one; Othello and Desdemona ironically lose their lives in a place where they were originally hoping to be safe.