Racism

Racism in Elizabethan times

In Elizabethan England the ideas and images of racism were only partially developed. This is reflected in Shakespeare's rather ambivalent attitude toward race.

Othello, a black Moor, is portrayed sympathetically as an articulate, intelligent and introspective human being. There is a suggestion that Othello's downfall may be rooted in his passionate and temperamental Moorish nature, but this tendency is balanced by a presentation of other, more complex aspects of his character:

"When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well;
Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought,
Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand,
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe...." —"Othello," Act V, Scene II

Moors

Defenition:
1. a Muslim of the mixed Berber and Arab people inhabiting NW Africa.
2. a member of this group that invaded Spain in the 8th century a.d. and occupied it until 1492.

Most Moors were berbers from Northern Africa. Only a minority, the ruling class, were Arabs from the Middle East.

During the 16ht century, the Moors were living in Spain but hiding their identity.

Moors were forced to hide their religious identities. In Spain, Moores were forced to either turn to catholicism or leave the country.













Othello looks like he comes from Northern Africa. Also, Iago is look down at Othello, implying that he is superior because he is white.
















This is a painting whish also shows that Othello looks like he comes from Northen Africa. This is due to his features. eg. curly hair.
















This is a modern interpretation of Othello

Cyprus

Where is Cyprus and what was

it like in the 16th Century?

Cyprus is a large island located in the Eastern Aegean area of the Mediterranean.

The Ottoman conquest of Cyprus coincided with the gradual stagnation of the Near Eastern economy due to the discovery of the Atlantic trade routes in the mid-15th century.

The actual governor of the island, though he commanded a small garrison of 3,000 troops, was relatively powerless. He held authority for a brief period and was principally concerned with recouping the purchase of his office with the minimum of fuss and maximum profit.

The archbishop grew particularly influential, and in 1660 became recognised as the official representative of the Greek Cypriots, with the rights of direct access to the Sultan's palace in Istanbul.

Venice

Where is Venice and What Was

it Like in the 16th Century?

After the Italian turrmoil of the early 16th century, Venice entered a long and gradual period of decline. Losings its political will, Venice found the new role which it enjoyed ever since- as a place of pleasure and delight, Europe's most sparkling tourist attraction.



Later in the sixteenth century came stylistic developments that are now called the baroque. A family of artists in Bologna, the Carracci, set about reinvigorating the grand tradition of Italian painting.








During the 16th century, Venice became one of the most important musical centers of Europe. By the end of the century, Venice was famous for the splendor of its music, as exemplified in the "colossal style" of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, which used multiple choruses and instrumental groups.