Setting

The physical setting of the play Othello by William Shakespeare is Venice, where Othello lives at the beginning of the play, and Cyprus, where he is sent to fight the Turkish fleet.

The play is set during the fourth Ottoman-Venetian war. This is indicated by the fleet of Turkish ships heading for Cyprus. However, the Turks never make it to Cyprus, as the fleet is destroyed during a storm. The play takes place over the course of several days, although there might be a larger time gap between the first and second act, when Othello travels from Venice to Cyprus.

Several locations are of particular importance, as significant events happen there and the outcome of the play is decided.

Venice

The first act takes place entirely in Venice in just one night. This is w...