Microsoft Word Materiallar Full

II INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS 

374 

 Qafqaz University                         

          18-19 April 2014, Baku, Azerbaijan 

Here he meant that Prophet Mohammad forbade his followers to quarrel with one another. Turks were also followers of 

Prophet Mohammad .So in Othello officers were resembled to Turks. Obviously here Shakespeare wanted to mean that not 

to be Turk and not to quarrel. 

 

On the other hand 'Turning to Turks' was the idiom to express on evil change of fortune. Shakespeare twice used this 

idiom. 

 

Furthermore, in Richard II he refers to the Crusades when Corlisle describes Norfolk as: 

 

Streeming the ensign of the Christian Cross 

 

Against black pagans, Turks and Saracens 

 

Besides in the other plays like King Henry V Shakespeare used one more oriental historic colour. 

 

Either our history shall with full mouth  

 

Speak freely of our acts, or else our grave 

 

Like Turkish mute, shall have toungeless mouth  

 

Not worshipp'd with a waxen epitaph. (Henry V Act I) 

 

In the second part of King Henry V King Henry says:  

 

This new and gorgeous garment, majesty 

 

Sits not easy on me as you think 

 

Brothers, you mix your sadness with some fear  

 

This is the English, not the Turkish court 

 

 

(King Henry V Act II) 

 

European monarchs were wearing oriental style of clothes (garment), and he addresses his supporters, Christian 

brothers that do not mix, I am an English not Turkish, and do not fear. It is fact that in history all European monarchs, kings 

were afraid of Turkish (Ottoman) authority. Here Shakespeare described the same situation. 

 

In 'The Merchant of Venice' the prince of Morocco when addressing Portia says:  

 

Even for that I thank you 

 

Therefore, I pray you, led me to the casket  

 

To try my fortune, by this scimitar— 

 

That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince  

 

That won three fields of Soltan Solyman,-- 

 

I would o'erstare he sternest eyes that look  

 (Act 

II) 

 

In those lines Shah Ismail's son Shah Tahmasib (the ruler of Safavid Azerbaijan) was described as Sophy. Soltan 

Solyman was the greatest ruler, sultan of Ottoman Empire. Shakespeare meant several battles between Ottoman Empire and 

Safavid Azerbaijan. 

 

Overall, Shakespeare was fond of English History. He wrote thirty seven plays and ten of them were devoted to 

English History. Besides he also used some oriental colour almost in each play.