ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Othello (full title: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice) is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603. The story revolves around two characters, Othello and Iago .

Detailed explanation-2: -In Othello The Moor of Venice, Othello is a dark-skinned general in the Venetian army. At the time, Venice was predominately white, so Othello’s skin color would be a stark contrast to the rest of the population surrounding him. Othello is frequently referred to as a moor due to his racial and cultural background.

Detailed explanation-3: -“Moor” came to mean anyone who was Muslim or had dark skin; occasionally, Europeans would distinguish between “blackamoors” and “white Moors.” One of the most famous mentions of Moors is in Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.

Detailed explanation-4: -Although Othello is a Moor, and although we often assume he is from Africa, he never names his birthplace in the play. In Shakespeare’s time, Moors could be from Africa, but they could also be from the Middle East, or even Spain. American actor John Edward McCullough as Othello in 1878.