context + critics
, Context:
1. Renaissance
● Cultural movement inspired by challenges
● Seen as the time of rebirth, golden age of rejuvenation
● Celebrated reason, men’s abilities, knowledge and wisdom
2. Machiavelli
● Wrote books about being a rebel e.g. Prince of 1513
● Had a philosophical account about how people should question themselves
and not solely abide by the social morals
● Villainous and basis of Iago’s character
3. Background of racism
● In 16-17th century Venice, there was a diverse population, it was associated
as a dangerous place for those with a different race from native Italians
● Those who were from Northern America and Middle East were seen as weak
and inferior and were often mistreated
● White was a colour which symbolised purity and innocence, black was seen
as impure and evil, although Othello was Shakespeare’s protagonist, he was
given racist characteristics and attributes e.g. uncontrollable rage
● There was a huge societal fear of miscegenation
4. Background of sexism
● Main role of women in the Jacobean Era was to get married and give birth to
children and look after them, seen as repressed and frail
● Women’s lives were determined by their fathers, brothers or male figures in
their families, had no autonomy
● Stereotypical women were obedient, submissive and docile
● In the Jacobean era, if a man was unable to control a woman, it would be
seen as a humiliation, and if women married without consent of their
father/brothers, it would be seen as the downfall of her family and reputation
would be ruined
5. Background of religion
● Shakespeare’s plays emphasise Protestant elements due to HVIII’s BwR
● Character are critiques and beset by the temptation of evil (Adam and Eve)
● Punishments for Shakespeare’s protagonists were similar to the spiritual
process of going into heaven or hell (Protestant belief)
6. Domestic tragedy v Jacobean tragedy
● Domestic tragedies had shocking levels of private intimacy at the time
● Morality plays were popular, concept of vice and virtue was personified (e.g.
Iago was a vice)
● Common storyline: men gives into temptation then repents
● Jacobean tragedies have a tragic protagonist who is unable to escape their
nemesis and faces tragic ending
, Context:
1. Renaissance
● Cultural movement inspired by challenges
● Seen as the time of rebirth, golden age of rejuvenation
● Celebrated reason, men’s abilities, knowledge and wisdom
2. Machiavelli
● Wrote books about being a rebel e.g. Prince of 1513
● Had a philosophical account about how people should question themselves
and not solely abide by the social morals
● Villainous and basis of Iago’s character
3. Background of racism
● In 16-17th century Venice, there was a diverse population, it was associated
as a dangerous place for those with a different race from native Italians
● Those who were from Northern America and Middle East were seen as weak
and inferior and were often mistreated
● White was a colour which symbolised purity and innocence, black was seen
as impure and evil, although Othello was Shakespeare’s protagonist, he was
given racist characteristics and attributes e.g. uncontrollable rage
● There was a huge societal fear of miscegenation
4. Background of sexism
● Main role of women in the Jacobean Era was to get married and give birth to
children and look after them, seen as repressed and frail
● Women’s lives were determined by their fathers, brothers or male figures in
their families, had no autonomy
● Stereotypical women were obedient, submissive and docile
● In the Jacobean era, if a man was unable to control a woman, it would be
seen as a humiliation, and if women married without consent of their
father/brothers, it would be seen as the downfall of her family and reputation
would be ruined
5. Background of religion
● Shakespeare’s plays emphasise Protestant elements due to HVIII’s BwR
● Character are critiques and beset by the temptation of evil (Adam and Eve)
● Punishments for Shakespeare’s protagonists were similar to the spiritual
process of going into heaven or hell (Protestant belief)
6. Domestic tragedy v Jacobean tragedy
● Domestic tragedies had shocking levels of private intimacy at the time
● Morality plays were popular, concept of vice and virtue was personified (e.g.
Iago was a vice)
● Common storyline: men gives into temptation then repents
● Jacobean tragedies have a tragic protagonist who is unable to escape their
nemesis and faces tragic ending
