Background to Othello

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Background to Othello
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• Based on a true story

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• Set in Venice, Italy

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• At that time, Venice was a city-state, ruled by a
  Duke

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• Laws were also made by a body of senators

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• The military was run by a General Othello

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• The Generals second in command was a lieutenant
  Michael Cassio

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• The Generals personal servant and third in
  command was called an Ancient (pronounced
  en-sin) Iago

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• Othello is a Moor a native of North Africa,
  usually a Muslim

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• Othello, once a slave, has been accepted into
  Venetian society and has converted to
  Christianity

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• As the play begins, Othello has just eloped with
  Desdemona, the daughter of a senator named
  Brabantio