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Reputation, Reputation, Reputation…

Sep 25th, 2009 by

Hi Everyone–

“Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser.”
–Iago (II.3.257-260)

“Good name in man and woman…/ Is the immediate jewel of their souls./ Who steals my purse steals trash…./ But he that filches from me my good name/ Robs me of that which not enriches him/ And makes me poor indeed.”
–Iago (III.3.155-161)

In these above quotations, Iago expresses two contradictory views on reputation. (As for why he contradicts himself, think about this to discuss in class on Tuesday!).  Of these two opinions on reputation, is there one with which you agree more? Is one’s reputation a “jewel” to be preserved at all costs? Is public opinion less important than one’s own opinion of oneself? How important are our reputations?

Be sure to support your view with examples, either from observation or personal experience. As always, feel free to respond specifically to a classmate’s comment–lively discussion is encouraged.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Ms. Lipson

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Othello and Desdemona. Hmmmm….

Sep 22nd, 2009 by

Hi all–

In Act I. Scene 3, Othello tells the Venetian council the story of how his relationship with Desdemona began. At the end of his story (I.3.166-167), he concludes:

She lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d,

And I lov’d her that she did pity them.

These may just be two short lines, but they say a lot. If we can think of these two lines as a sort of summary of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship, what do they reveal about its dynamics? What do they reveal about Othello? What do they reveal about Desdemona? What do they tell us about the two of them as a couple?

As always, be sure to carefully read and respond to your classmates’ insights.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Ms. Lipson

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Othello and Obama: An Optional Post

Sep 22nd, 2009 by

Hi all–

Today in class we discussed connections between attitudes toward Othello in the play and attitudes toward President Obama in present day America. Please take a few moments to view the below clip from a recent CNN broadcast about a Tea Party rally poster depicting Obama as a “witch doctor.” Then, leave a comment expressing your reactions. How does the imagery in the poster connect with imagery that has appeared in the play? What other similarities can you discern between ideas expressed in this clip and ideas that have emerged in the play?

This post is optional, though participation is encouraged, as it would be great for us to hear each other’s thoughts on this topic. (I will put up a second post in a moment, which is not optional.)

Obama Rally Poster Controversy–From CNN

Ms. Lipson

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Othello Dramaturgy Project-Venice

Sep 18th, 2009 by

Culture and Arts

In the 16th century Venice turned out to be one of the top musical centers in Europe.
Venice’s music center was one of the first to start publishing music, this helped the center expand, bringing in artist from all over Europe.
Festivals were a major event in Venice at this time and still are today.
Apart from art and architect during the Renaissance in the 16th century, theater began and ended up being on of the main reasons why Venice is so famous to this day.

The art world was also very big and important to this time period.
There were three main artist at the time, Titian, Giorgione and Giovanni.

Titian, (1477/1490-1576), was the most popular painter in the 16th century. His skill level was equal with every different style of paintings he did. His use of color in the paintings ended up being a huge influence on everyone after him.

Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco, (1477/8-1510), was known for the poetic quality of his art. Not many of his painting were able to be saved. He is one of the most mysterious figures in history because of his arts meanings.

Giovanni Bellini, (1430-1516), was considered to have revolutionized paintings in this era, he had a more colouristic style and went into depth with detailed shadings and faster drying oil based paints. Even though he had many family members that painted he was the most known for his work.

Venice Politics and Geography

Government:

  • city prided itself on not having a monarchy
  • they had a Doge and other committees all elected
    • committees were made up  of nobles
      • nobles could only marry other nobles
      • children born out of wedlock were not given the same rights as noble parents
  • had no official religion, but in later 16th century teamed with the roman catholic church to defeat turks

People and History:

  • founded by refugees fleeing the mainland
  • canals are used for transport
  • very diverse city
  • was a port city so people would stop by in Venice on the way to the holy city and would often stay
  • majority of city was orthadox catholic
  • also there: Germans, Greeks, Germanic and Italian Jews, Sephardic Jews, and Turks
  • 7 miles in circumference
  • Venice is no longer fighting much after mid-16th century
  • it only fought for it’s territory in the Mediterranean

Geography:

    • built in the center of a Lagoon
    • on the northern rim of the Adriatic sea
    • dumped piles of wood into the lagoon and built on top of it
    • sinking

Turkish-Venetian War: (1499-1503)

  • Naval battles in Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic Seas
  • first time in history that cannons were used on ships
  • while Venice was at war, Florance, their trade rivals, started trading with the Turks and made alot of money
  • Venice lost, Turks got land
  • they fought b/c
    • 1Venice taxed Cyprus, that’s why the war started, Turks didn’t think they should be taxed.
    • 2. Turks expansion plan
    • 3. Venice wanting to control the sea routes
  • Pope Gregory was mad that they surrendered
  • war in Cyprus was to staining on Venice’s economy
  • creating internal chaos and turmoil
  • other than this war, Venice and Turkey amicably settled most of their disputes

Time Line for Venice in 1500′s
1501- turks take Durazzo from venice 1508- the league of Cambrai was formed: Aragon, France, and Pope Julius II against venice 1509- the pope excommunitates the republic of venice (lifts it in feb 1510) 1511- Pope Julius, Aragon and Venice join Holy League against France 1516- Jews must live in only one part of venice 1518- Forks were used at a banquet for the first time in Venice 1540- Venice and Turkey signed treaty at Constantinople 1570- Venice refuse to surrender Cyprus so Turks attack 1571- Pope Pius, Spain and Venice form anti-Turk Saint League, fight the turks, venice in good standing 1573-venice loose, venice and turkey sign treaty at constantinople, venice give turks a lot of money and cyprus 1576- plague in venice

Economics

Before the 16th century Venice was largely known for its trading Market; by the 1600s, its power was beginning to wane

Ex: new trade routs discovered, lost reputation due to Turkish invasion

Began to “shift focus” promoted itself as a harmonious accepting republic

Gained some secular support -> denied pope ability to put Venice under papal interdict. By late 1800 Venice’s empire came to an end due to the discoveries of Atlantic and African trade routes

During the 15th and 16th century, Venice was a dominant force in the Mediterranean Trade. Venice bought goods from Asia, the Ottoman Empire, and the Middle east and distributed their bought goods through Italy and Europe. -> spices, glass, textiles

After African and Atlantic trade routes were discovered, Venice lost its role as the sole buyer and supplier of goods in the Asian areas. It tried to shift its focus towards printing. “In the early 16th century Venice printed more books than any other city.” However later into the century these printing sales also declined. Venice lost its former dominance to other growing empires such as the Ottoman Empire.
- Ottoman empire was expanding- venice wanted to protect its trade routes from being taken over- brief alliance with france -> called the “holy league” but venice soon broke off to fight the ottoman on their own- ended up having to settle with ottoman empire -> war cost too much money. lost land and reputation- territories deminished- briefly freed Morea from the turks but this proved unprofitable, so they returned the territory

Hadji Muhiddin Piri Ibn Hadji Mehmed. “Historic Venice.” Map. MapsoRama. 10 Apr. 2007. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. <http://www.mapsorama.com/map-of-venice/>.
“Venice City Map, Street Map, Location Maps, District: Map of Venice Area, Italy.” Venice Tourism and Tourist Information: Information about Venice Area, Italy. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. <http://www.venice.world-guides.com/venice_maps.html>.
“Study Tools.” Britain in Print. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. <http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/cyprus.html>.EditDelete “Study Tools.” Britain in Print. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. <http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/venice.html>.EditDelete “Timeline 1500-1524.” Timelines of History, Today in History, World History. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. <http://timelines.ws/1500_1524.HTML>.
“History of VENICE.” HistoryWorld. 16 Sept. 2009 <http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=higa>.
Italy in Pictures. USA: Lerner Publications Company, 2003.
“Turkish–Venetian War (1499–1503) – New World Encyclopedia.” Info:Main Page – New World Encyclopedia. 16 Sept. 2009 <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Turkish%E2%80%93Venetian_War_(1499%E2%80%931503)>.
“Venice (Italy) :: Europeans and Turks against Venice — Britannica Online Encyclopedia.” Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 16 Sept. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625298/Venice/24408/Europeans-and-Turks-against-Venice>.

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Othello Dramaturgy Project–Cyprus

Sep 18th, 2009 by

Othello Dramaturgy Project–Cyprus
Geographical Information:
Island
Middle East
Located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
3,572 sq mi
Cyprus is 1303 miles from Venice
http://www2.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP1235197a4i4eh6h93g6e00001g21f96h62b293d3?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=16
Climate is temperate… Hot dry summer with a coldish winter
The terrain is mainly made up of plains with mountains to the north and south
Sometimes suffer from earthquakes and drought
Map Image: http://www.freewebs.com/ironworksentertainment/6a00d8341e207353ef010536c95958970b-800wi.gif
Importance of Cyprus:
Cyprus was once famous for its vast forests for ship building. Other countries would exploit Cyprus to get access to this natural resource-Huge amounts of cedar trees
when Turkey occupied Cyprus, Cyprus produced all of the citrus fruits, grains, tobacco, and vegetables-major crops
contributor of copper (Mineral wealth)
Iron, chrome have helped trade; bentonite (a form of clay), umber, and ocher are also exported.
“The island’s most important copper mines are located in the area of Skouriotissa in the Turkish-occupied zone, but copper ore reserves have declined substantially.”
Culture
Cyprus is the mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite
Paphos is the temple where people worship her
Famagusta-is one of the most famous medieval architecture in the Middle East.
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and the capital’s walls portray the country’s violent history.
Festival of the Flood-Kataklismos famous festival celebrated seven weeks after Easter
distinctive pottery and bronze works
History
its location places it at the center of many major battles
home to a vast population of Greeks and Turks
Greek Mycenean merchants settled in Cyprus in the 16th century
during Bronze Age Cyprus was a big contributor in trade-development of tools
exploited by Persia, Egypt and Rome-all influenced Cyprus
Cyprus was under Ottoman control in 1571 and lasted for three centuries
Bibliography:
“CYPRUS.” Britannica Book of the Year, 1998. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16 Sept. 2009  <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9114328>.
“Cyprus.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16  Sept.  2009  <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-33851>
“Distance Between Venice and Cyprus.” Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram Alpha LLC, 16 Sept. 2009. Web. http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=venice+cyprus+distance.
Spilling, Michael.Cyprus:Cultrures of the World.(21,105,85).
CIA. “CIA – The World Factbook — Cyprus.” Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency. CIA. Web. 16 Sept. 2009. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html>.
Andonis Decavalles, Bebe Spanos.The Voices of Cyprus: An Anthology of Cyproit Literature.October House Inc: New York
“Cyprus.” Countrystudies. 17 Sept. 2009 <http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/7.htm>

Othello Dramaturgy Project–Cyprus

Jake Haas and Vanessa Lecky

Geographical Information:

  • Island
  • Middle East
  • Located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
  • 3,572 sq mi
  • Cyprus is 1303 miles from Venice
  • Climate is temperate… Hot dry summer with a coldish winter
  • The terrain is mainly made up of plains with mountains to the north and south
  • Sometimes suffer from earthquakes and drought

Importance of Cyprus:

  • Cyprus was once famous for its vast forests for ship building. Other countries would exploit Cyprus to get access to this natural resource-Huge amounts of cedar trees
  • when Turkey occupied Cyprus, Cyprus produced all of the citrus fruits, grains, tobacco, and vegetables-major crops
  • contributor of copper (Mineral wealth)
  • Iron, chrome have helped trade; bentonite (a form of clay), umber, and ocher are also exported.
  • “The island’s most important copper mines are located in the area of Skouriotissa in the Turkish-occupied zone, but copper ore reserves have declined substantially.”

Culture

  • Cyprus is the mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite
  • Paphos is the temple where people worship her
  • Famagusta-is one of the most famous medieval architecture in the Middle East.
  • Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and the capital’s walls portray the country’s violent history.
  • Festival of the Flood-Kataklismos famous festival celebrated seven weeks after Easter
  • distinctive pottery and bronze works

History

  • its location places it at the center of many major battles
  • home to a vast population of Greeks and Turks
  • Greek Mycenean merchants settled in Cyprus in the 16th century
  • during Bronze Age Cyprus was a big contributor in trade-development of tools
  • exploited by Persia, Egypt and Rome-all influenced Cyprus
  • Cyprus was under Ottoman control in 1571 and lasted for three centuries

Bibliography:

  • “CYPRUS.” Britannica Book of the Year, 1998. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16 Sept. 2009  <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9114328>.
  • “Cyprus.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16  Sept.  2009  <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-33851>
  • “Distance Between Venice and Cyprus.” Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram Alpha LLC, 16 Sept. 2009. Web. http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=venice+cyprus+distance.
  • Spilling, Michael.Cyprus:Cultrures of the World.(21,105,85).
  • CIA. “CIA – The World Factbook — Cyprus.” Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency. CIA. Web. 16 Sept. 2009. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html>.
  • Andonis Decavalles, Bebe Spanos.The Voices of Cyprus: An Anthology of Cyproit Literature.October House Inc: New York
  • “Cyprus.” Countrystudies. 17 Sept. 2009 <http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/7.htm>

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Othello Dramaturgy Project -The Turks

Sep 18th, 2009 by

125px-Ottoman_flag_alternative_2.svg

The Turks-16th Century!


ottoman_empire_1481-1683

By: Sheyda and Danny

The Turks created the  Ottoman Empire during the 16th century.

What region did the Turks control in the 16th Century?

  • Southeastern Europe to gates of Vienna
  • Includes: modern Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Greece, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Egypt, North Africa, Western Asia, and most of Arabian Peninsula

What religion was practiced?

  • The Turks practiced Islam
  • They were very tolerant of different religious beliefs and their practicality
  • Did not accept polytheistic practices

Elizabethan attitude towards foreigners in general and non-Christians- such as Turks– in particular?

  • The Turks, from the Elizabethan perspective, were “outsiders”
  • Many Elizabethans resisted the Muslim rule and believed Christianity as superior; this created much tension
  • Ottoman religious toleration was not perfect; very much a Muslim state, giving preferences to Muslims in many ways (ex. govn’t)
Works Cited
“Europeans and Turks against Venice.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 18 Sept. 2009  <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-24408>.
“The Brief History of Turks.” Ottoman Souvenir and Anatolian Culture. 1999. Web.   16  Sept. 2009. <http://www.ottomansouvenir.com/General/the_brief_history.htm>.
“The Ottoman Empire: Turkish Toleration.” Globaled.org. 2000. Web. 16 Sept. 2009. <http://www.globaled.org/nyworld/materials/ottoman/turkish.html>.
Turkey : an official handbook. Ankara, 1990. Print.

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Othello Dramaturgy Project — The Moors

Sep 17th, 2009 by

Nat and Chris

Who were the Moors?

Ibn Rushd, Moorish Islamic philosopher ca. 1126-1198.
Ibn Rushd, Moorish Islamic philosopher ca. 1126-1198.

The word “Moor” derives from Latin maurus (compare: Mauritania), referring to the people of the Roman province of Mauritania, Northwest Africa. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, it came to refer to the Arabic-speaking and/or Muslim population indigenous to North Africa, a mixture of Arabs and Berbers. When the Arab rulers of North Africa invaded Spain in 711, the Moors came with them, conquering the Iberian Peninsula in just seven years, although the mountainous northern regions remained under Christian control (forming the four Christian kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and Portugal). Islamic Spain became a center of culture, knowledge, and religious tolerance: Islamic doctrine calls for tolerance of other monotheistic religions, with Jews and Christians under Islamic rule subjected only to a tax and exempted from military service.

The Iberian Peninsula ca. 1360, showing the Islamic Emirate of Granada, the last remaining Islamic kingdom there.

The Iberian Peninsula ca. 1360, showing the Islamic Emirate of Granada, the last remaining Islamic kingdom there.

Video of the Palace of the Alhambra, the palace of the Moorish rulers of Granada.

The Moors circa Othello

The Muslim kingdoms in Spain survived a prolonged series of wars and peaces until 1492, when the last of them, the Emirate of Granada, was conquered by the combined forces of Castile and Aragon. Following the success of this reconquista, the Christian rulers forced Muslims and Jews to either convert or leave. Some Moors returned to Northern Africa, while others went elsewhere in Europe. Some, the moriscos, converted to Christianity and stayed in Spain. Distrust of the moriscos and the conversos, their Jewish equivalents, eventually led to the Spanish Inquisition.

Ibn Battuta, Moorish explorer ca. 1300s.

Ibn Battuta, Moorish explorer ca. 1300s.

After the expulsion of the Moors from Spain and the persecution of their descendants, the word “Moor” shifted in meaning. It became partly a religious designation — for example, the so-called “white Moors”, Christians who had converted to Islam —, but it also sometimes retained a racial meaning, referring to dark-skinned or Arab-looking people of North African or Moorish ancestry. In Spain, at least, the Moors continued to be viewed with a certain degree of suspicion. In 16th century Europe, the Moors had generally either returned to North Africa or left Spain for more hospitable European countries — the Venetian Republic perhaps included.

Bibliography

  • “Spain.” Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. Paul F. Grendler. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2004. 98-104. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. Beaver Country Day School. 17 Sept. 2009 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=mlin_m_beaver>.
  • “Ferdinand of Aragon 1452–1516 Spanish King.” Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. Paul F. Grendler. Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2004. 80. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. Beaver Country Day School. 17 Sept. 2009 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=mlin_m_beaver>.
  • “Muslim Spain (711-1492).” BBC Religion and Ethics. 9 Sept., 2009. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 Sept., 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/spain_1.shtml>.
  • “Moor.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 17 Sep. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/391449/Moor>.
  • “Islamic Spain.” Facts on File. Web. <http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE49&NewItemID=True>.
  • Brodman, James W. “Moors.” Comp. United States Traveler Article. World Book. Web. 16 Sept. 2009. <http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar370470&st=moor>.

Pictures from:

  • Arellano, Mick. “A Working Paper on the History of Spain.” 2007. Agile Guidebooks. 17 Sept., 2009 <http://www.agileguidebooks.com/guidestohistory/spain/>.
  • “Biographical Information on Ibn Rushd.” 2009. The Ibn Rushd Fund for Freedom of Thought. 17 Sept., 2009 <http://www.ibn-rushd.org/English/BiographicalInfoIbnRushd.htm>.
  • “File:IbnBattuta.jpg.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 Aug., 2005. The Wikimedia Foundation. 17 Sept., 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IbnBattuta.jpg>.

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Othello Pre-Thinking: Insiders and Outsiders

Sep 15th, 2009 by

Hi all-

In a few days, we will be beginning our reading of Shakespeare’s Othello! To get us started thinking about some of the complex and thought-provoking ideas we’ll be encountering during our reading of this tragedy, I’d like you to consider the following questions:

What does it mean to be an “insider”? What does it mean to be an “outsider”? (When you hear these words, what do they conjure for you?) Most importantly, do you believe a person can be both an “insider” and an “outsider” at once? If so, in what ways? Be sure to back up your assertions by bringing in examples from your own observations and experiences.

And…be sure to read and respond thoughtfully to the insights of your classmates!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

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Posted in Ms. Lipson's Othello Posts | 13 Comments »

40 Fun and Illuminating Facts About Shakespeare

Sep 13th, 2009 by

Hi all–

Last week in class, you met in groups to identify 10 illuminating facts about the Bard from Bill Bryson’s Shakespeare: The World As Stage. One member of each of your groups should post your 10 facts here!

Remember: We’re looking for the sort of facts that we believe will help enrich our understanding of Shakespeare’s plays throughout this course–by giving us insight into aspects of his experience such as his upbringing, his education, his family situation, or the Elizabethan/ Jacobean Age.

Ms. L

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Welcome to our class Blog!

Sep 17th, 2008 by

Welcome, everyone, to our class Blog!

More has been written about Shakespeare than about any other writer of English–a testament not only to the timelessness and universal appeal of his plays, but also to their tendency to spark rich conversation and debate. Whenever I’m teaching a Shakespeare play–be it Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Tempest–I’m always left with this terrible, bereft, cheated feeling when class ends, as if my students and I have just, collectively, been cut off in the middle of a sentence! There is just so much to explore in every play, and the few hours we have together each week never seems long enough for us to get to all the good stuff.

Thanks to this Blog, the conversations we’ve been having in class no longer have to end when the clock strikes 10:10 (or 3:20, depending). We can, unlike our poor friend Hamlet at the end of Act V, triumph over silence, continuing our sharing, analyzing, interpreting, debating beyond our classroom walls.

I’m looking forward to sharing our individual responses to these plays, as I hope you are, too. I also have a feeling that by putting our brains together in this space, we will arrive–collectively– at some exciting insights we just might not have thought of on our own.

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