Othello Journal 2

The Moors
     The word Moor is derived from "mauros," which is a Greek adjective that means dark or black.  The Moors were generally known to live in the Sahara along popular trading routes.  A Moorish general named Tarik-bin-ziad was asked by the Greeks to move his people north into the Iberian Peninsula and to defeat the Visigoth King Roderick of Spain.  The Moorish army eventually gained control of Spain and remained in Europe as rulers of several kingdoms and were involved in several wars throughout the centuries.  Moorish rule ended around 1479.  These people were also very religious; however, the Europeans tried to convert them from Muslims to Christians.

Comments:

winden said...

A seizure a day is a lot. I think it is interesting how people with epilepsy were thought to be "plagued by demons and Satan" and the Moorish people were also very superstitious. I wonder if epilepsy commonly affected their society and if epilepsy will be brought up later in Othello.

December 7, 2010 5:41 PM

winden said...

What is Venice like today compared to then? Are there still music centers?

December 7, 2010 9:07 PM

winden said...

The turkish people sound like they were very powerful and caused a lot of conflict. I think the conflict between the turks and cyprus is just coming up in Act one scene three of Othello.

December 7, 2010 9:12 PM

winden said...

 

I wonder if the Turkish people are as defensive as their government and always ready for attack?

December 7, 2010 9:15 PM