The setting of Shakespeare's Othello is____________

1. Analyze the question You are asked where Shakespeare's Othello takes place. This is a question about setting, which means the location(s) of the action.

2. Explain the concept Othello has two main settings:

• Venice, in Act 1. Here Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio to tell him that Desdemona has eloped with Othello. The Duke and the Senate then send Othello to defend Cyprus against the Turks.
• Cyprus, from Act 2 to Act 5. This is where Iago's plot unfolds, Cassio is disgraced, and Othello kills Desdemona.

So the play opens in Venice and then moves to Cyprus.

3. Work through the options

• A. Verona is the setting of Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, not Othello.
• B. Venice is the opening setting of Othello, and Othello is a Venetian general. This is the only option that appears in the play.
• C. The Faroe Islands have no connection to Shakespeare's plays.
• D. Bulgaria is not a setting in Othello.

4. Answer Venice is the only listed option that is a setting in Othello. Cyprus is the other setting, but it is not offered here.

5. Exam tip Link each play to its setting:

• Othello: Venice → Cyprus
• Romeo and Juliet: Verona
• The Merchant of Venice: Venice and Belmont

A quick way to remember it is "Othello, Venice". When two options are both Italian cities, check which play each one belongs to.