Othello Essay

Rangitoto College Practice Exam 2008

 Question 2: The setting of Cyprus 

In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, a significant part of the play was the setting of Cyprus. The setting of Cyprus was significant because this is one of the main settings of the play where it shows contrasting social and political climates. The setting in Cyprus shows another ‘side’ of Othello’s character compared to the civilised backdrop of Venice.

Firstly, the setting in Cyprus is significant in the play because it transforms the character of Othello. At the beginning of the play when the setting was in Venice, the setting was civilised and reasons were prevailed. Othello is judged and honoured on his merits and his service to state. This was where Othello was valued/appreciated and confident, who knew the state “cannot safety cast him”. It showed that the state needed his skills as a superb military leader. Othello’s language was also different because in Venice, his language use reflected his sense of worth and his trust in reason such as when he addresses the Senator “Most potent, grave and reverend seigniors, /my very noble, and approved good masters”. This shows how significant the setting of Cyprus is in the play because without Cyprus, the readers/audience of this play will only be able to see the ‘one half’ of Othello and not know the true twist to the tale when the setting changed which leads to the transformation of characters to the ‘darker’ side due to jealousy and causing deaths in the end.

When the setting changed to Cyprus (an island sacred to Venus, the goddess of love) Othello’s character changed in this regarded “bridge” between the civilised and barbaric world. In Cyprus, the once humble, noble and civilised Othello has changed into a vengeful and in cohesive barbarian. Here Othello becomes indecisive as shown from his questioning language “Is’t possible – confess”. He becomes uncertain compared to the confident respected leader at the beginning of the play when he is in Venice. Something as minor as a handkerchief is enough to alter Othello’s perception about his wife Desdemona causing him to become delusional and blame her for adultery. This is where the control of Venice ceases to be effective causing Iago to be able to manipulate and destroy the lives of Othello, Desdemona and Cassio with the help of Roderigo. The setting of Cyprus is significant because it shows how a different environment with different atmosphere can change a person significantly into their ‘darker’/violent/destructive side by causing deception fuelled by the rage of jealousy.

The setting of Cyprus is also significant because here Othello’s command/power is not recognised. Here a street brawl continues to death and neither Othello nor the authorities have any say to it. Compared to Venice where the authority had “more command in years/”Than with your weapons” and Othello could command “Keep up your bright swords”. The rules of a civilised society don’t exist here in Cyprus therefore actions of men cannot be controlled and often lead to chaos. Othello in Cyprus is seen as an “outsider” and racism is still dominant. His perceptions about how a civilised society should be is often challenged and overcome by lewd and barbaric obsessions such as murder. This is significant to the setting of Cyprus because it raises the issue of how an uncivilised state where no order or duty prevail, men who are not at their best sink to the level of barbarians in contrast to Venice. This shows that in an uncivilised state, men are judged on their race and uncontrolled racism leads to a breakdown in even the finest of men.

To conclude, the setting of Cyprus is significant to the play because it changes the character of Othello causing the destruction of his wife and friends, his prominent ranking/power is unrecognised and how a different environment can turn event the finest people to monsters.