Venice in Othello's time

Summary

In this analysis of Shakespeare's *Othello*, Stephen Greenblatt explores the setting of the play in Venice, a powerful city facing external threats from the Turkish empire. The story begins with the intrigue of Iago and Roderigo stirring up trouble, revealing Othello's marriage to Desdemona. As tensions rise, Brabanzio, Desdemona's father, confronts Othello, seeking annulment, while Venice faces a political crisis on the outer edges of its empire. Greenblatt highlights the contrast between Venice's wealth and security and its reliance on foreign military leaders like Othello, showing how outsiders, including Othello, become central to the city's power struggles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Venice is depicted as a secure, grand city, symbolizing power and absence of threat, but is later revealed to be vulnerable through personal and political crises.
• 😀 The play Othello opens with a conflict where Iago and Roderigo alarm Brabanzio about his daughter’s elopement with Othello, a Moor.
• 😀 Brabanzio’s response to the elopement emphasizes his pride and authority as a powerful Venetian senator, believing his status will ensure his complaint is heard.
• 😀 The city of Venice, ruled by a small number of noblemen, is an oligarchy, where figures like Brabanzio hold significant influence.
• 😀 The dramatic setting shifts to the Ducal Palace, where both Brabanzio and the Venetian authorities seek Othello due to a military crisis in Cyprus.
• 😀 Venice faces an external threat from the Turks, necessitating a strong military leadership which comes from mercenaries, not Venetians themselves.
• 😀 Military leaders in Venice, like Othello, are often outsiders, with the city relying on foreign-born commanders to defend its empire.
• 😀 The Venetians' reliance on foreign military figures like Othello, Cassio, and Iago reflects the need for external expertise in the face of foreign threats.
• 😀 The central conflict of the play is triggered by the personal relationship between Othello, a military outsider, and Desdemona, the daughter of a powerful senator.
• 😀 The play reflects tensions between Venice's wealthy, stable inner circle and the unsettling presence of foreign military leaders who threaten its stability.
• 😀 Ultimately, the play explores the dynamic of outsiders becoming threatening not just to the external empire (the Turks), but to the heart of Venetian society itself.

Q & A

How does the opening of *Othello* reflect the contrast between Venice and its outskirts?

The opening scene of *Othello* contrasts the grandeur and security of Venice with the threat posed by the empire's borders, specifically in relation to the military crisis with the Turks. Venice, depicted as a powerful and stable city, faces external threats despite its seemingly secure status.

What role does Brabanzio play in the opening of *Othello*?

Brabanzio, a powerful Venetian senator, is initially outraged when he learns that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello, a Moor. His reaction underscores the tension between personal relationships and the city's social and political structures.

How does Brabanzio's statement 'This is Venice!' reflect the city's identity?

Brabanzio's declaration emphasizes the contrast between Venice and the rural countryside. By claiming 'This is Venice!', he asserts the city's power, security, and sophistication, dismissing the idea that a threat could affect him in such a grand place.

What political crisis is introduced at the start of *Othello*?

The political crisis in the play involves the threat from the Turkish Empire at the outer edge of Venetian control, particularly in Cyprus. The Venetian Senate is concerned about this external threat, which is central to the conflict that shapes the plot of *Othello*.

Why does Venice rely on outsiders for its military leadership?

Venice relies on foreigners for military leadership because of its limited supply of native military figures. Outsiders like Othello, Iago, and Cassio serve as mercenaries in the Venetian military, which is essential for defending Venice against external threats such as the Turks.

What does the statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni symbolize in the context of *Othello*?

The statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni symbolizes the Venetian practice of hiring foreign military leaders to defend the republic. It highlights Venice's reliance on outsiders for its security, which mirrors Othello's role as a foreign general in the city's military structure.

How does the dynamic between Venetians and outsiders create tension in *Othello*?

The tension arises from the fact that Venice’s elite class is composed of native Venetians, while many of the military leaders, like Othello, are outsiders. This dynamic creates unease, particularly when Othello, an outsider, becomes deeply involved with Desdemona, the daughter of one of Venice's most powerful senators.

What is the significance of Othello's marriage to Desdemona in the context of the play's themes?

Othello’s marriage to Desdemona symbolizes the crossing of social and cultural boundaries. It becomes a focal point for racial and social tensions, as well as a manifestation of the uneasy coexistence between Venice’s elite and the foreigners it employs.

What does the interaction between Brabanzio and the Duke in the play reveal about Venetian power structures?

The interaction between Brabanzio and the Duke reveals that Venice is an oligarchy where powerful individuals, like Brabanzio, believe they can demand legal action based on their status. However, this power is ultimately checked by the broader political realities of the city, such as the need for military leadership in defending Venetian interests.

How does the play depict the tension between personal and political agendas?

The play illustrates how personal conflicts, like the marriage of Othello and Desdemona, become entangled with political agendas. Brabanzio’s personal outrage leads him to take political action, which in turn brings attention to the larger political crisis with the Turks and the military leadership in Venice.