The term ‘moor’ refers to those born in Mauritania, or
present day North Africa. It is likely that the term is used so frequently in the
opening scene to emphasise to the audience the uniqueness of Othello as a member of
Venetian society. The term helps to quantify Othello as different: an outsider with an
exotic and mysterious origin. The audience will hopefully be as compelled to learn his
tale as the innocent and compassionate Desdemona--and indeed the
Senate.
I
think this tale would win my daughter too.
Good
Brabantio,
It is said that
Othello’s origins were also revealed as it was believed at this time that one of the
qualities of a Moor was jealousy. It is possible that the term is repeated to establish
Othello’s fatal flaw in the minds of the audience, even before, of course, he is even
introduced as a character in his own right.
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