Othello Background Stations

Station 1: Elizabethan England Who was Queen Elizabeth I and what was her reign like? Elizabeth I was the queen of England from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, known as the Elizabethan Age, was a time of political stability, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing. She was notable for consolidating Protestantism and defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588. What were some important events of the period? Maritime expansion with explorers like Francis Drake. The growth of trade and the middle class. The creation of Elizabethan theater with authors like William Shakespeare. What can be said about literature, art, culture, or daily life? Literature experienced a boom, especially theater. Art focused on portraits and symbolism. Culture was hierarchical, and daily life included markets, public festivals, and the practice of Protestant Christianity. Station 3: Africans in Shakespeare's England What role did Africans play in English society in the late 1500s and early 1600s? Although they were not common, Africans did exist in England. Some worked as servants or musicians in noble households. Some were enslaved, but others were free. They were seen as "exotic," and although prejudices existed, they were not identical to those of modern racism. Queen Elizabeth I even tried to expel the Moors at certain times out of social concerns. Station 5: Cyprus What was Cyprus's role in the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Europeans? Cyprus was a strategic island controlled by Venice. In 1570, the Ottomans invaded it during the war against the Venetians, culminating in its conquest in 1571. Why is it important in Othello? The island represents isolation, military tension, and emotional conflict. It is the setting for Othello's personal tragedy, far from Venetian civilization.