Between Venice and Cyprus

Mojtaba Reza

There exists an old proverb that goes as following: “People can change places, and places can change people.” The latter part holds most certainly true for William Shakespeare’s Othello. In the story of Othello there is a change of scenery. The story shifts from Venice to Cyprus at the beginning of act two. These two different settings also have their own atmosphere. Geography and atmosphere are two concepts that are of utmost importance to the play itself. Not only does the move from Venice to Cyprus have an effect on the characters, it also plays a major role in the outcome of the story.
Othello himself is described by Tom McAlindon in the introduction as “both of and not of Venice which was the epitome of western civilization” (Introduction Othello, 22). He is in the beginning surrounded by a great civilized atmosphere and a setting he is accustomed to: Venice. Here he is still uninfluenced by Iago’s poison and here he still trusts Desdemona. He is then summoned by the Duke to go to Cyprus and fight “Against the general enemy Ottoman.” (Othello, 1.3.49). Cyprus is according to Tom McAlindon:
Cyprus is located at the vulnerable edge of civilization, and as such is a place where civility, love and peace maintain a fragile hold over the forces which oppose them; it represents the underlying reality of Venice and of all cities and institutions, Christian and otherwise, where what prevails is at best a kind of discordia concors. (Introduction Othello, 61)
This change from a higher civilization to a lower civilization makes Othello vulnerable and opens him up to “a jealousy so strong - That judgment cannot cure.” (Othello, 2.1.292-293). Othello also shifted its action from a peaceful city such as Venice to Cyprus: “this warlike isle” (Othello, 2.1.44). In this place Othello had been bestowed with many duties. He was not only “General Othello” (Othello 2.2-3.11) but also the new governor. “Othello assures the Senate that he will not allow ‘light-winged toys ‖ Of feathered Cupid’ (Venus’ son) to interfere with his military duties on Cyprus (1.3.265-71).” (Tom McAlindon, Introduction Othello, 61). While Othello carries out his duties; he will have less time to spend with Desdemona and Cassio. At the same time Iago: “projects this communicational disorder into the relationship between Othello and Desdemona” (Tom McAlindon, Introduction Othello, 59). Othello becomes suspicious of his wife and his Lieutenant. This would not have happened in Venice because Othello and Desdemona would have spent their time together but instead Iago’s plan is working: “The Moor already changes with my poison.” (Othello, 3.3.322).
Iago and Cassio also become isolated because of the change of scenery. This shift benefits Iago enormously because he is able to work his “poison” (Othello, 3.3.322) on Othello but also on Cassio. Cassio becomes the first victim of Iago’s cunning scheme when he is removed from his position as Othello’s Lieutenant: “But nevermore be officer of mine.” (Othello, 2.3.243). The day afterwards Cassio is too ashamed to speak with Othello directly; therefore, he asks Desdemona to speak with her husband. Desdemona accepts his request: “Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do – All my abilities in thy behalf.” (3.3.1-2). Othello is aware of this conversation and Iago plants his first seed shortly afterwards. Othello grows steadily more suspicious of Desdemona’s requests because Desdemona keeps pleading Cassio’s case. If Desdemona had stayed in Venice and waited for her husbands return none of this would have happened.
Even though Othello changed Cyprus; the effect Cyprus had on Othello is far greater. First of all, the shift of the higher civilization of Venice to the lower civilization of Cyprus weakened Othello’s mental strength and made him susceptible to Iago’s poisonous mind. Secondly, Othello’s added duty of Governor of Cyprus whilst also being a General consumed his timetable, which caused miscommunications between him and Desdemona. Finally, the isolation of Iago and Cassio which caused Cassio to loss his social status and made him too ashamed too talk to Othello directly, led to the first inklings of doubt of Desdemona’s virtue within Othello’s mind. All of this accumulated and eventually led to both Othello and Desdemona’s death.

Tom McAlindon. Introduction. Othello. By Shakespeare, William. Ed. Kenneth Muir, et al. London: Penguin Group, 2005. Print.