Othello

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1. 
   blacksheepunite Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   Ha! Great question!

   To call a woman a Venetian was akin to calling a man a senator: both were considered prostitutes of sorts.
   

   In Shakespeare's time, Venice was considered the pleasure capital of Europe, and Venetians were known for their sexual licentiousness. The most talented courtesans were reputed to have lived in Venice. What is more, Venetian courtesans did not dress as we would picture prostitutes dressing. Instead, they were virtually indestinguishable from the average well (expensively) dressed woman.

   Here is where it gets interesting. Desdemona is a virtuous woman (she finds it unthinkable that women would consider cheating on their husbands)and yet she is a Venetian by background. Everyone knows that all venetian women are...sluts. Iago alludes to this repeatedly, and uses it to his advantage.

   Part of the reason that this play works so well is that we are so busy looking at the racism directed towards Othello, we are almost blind-sided by the prejudice against Desdemona. The saddest part is that Othello is as blind as all the rest.

   Arden Shakespeare. A.J. Honingmann ed. 2007

   Sources:

   http://www.ardenshakespeare.com

   http://www.enotes.com/othello

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   Posted by blacksheepunite on Wednesday May 23, 2007 at 4:27 PM
   
   

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