Why doesn't Shakespeare spend much time describing the battle? Is the war an important part of the play? Explain.

We must understand that the Turks, not being Christians, were considered barbarians and worthy of defeat at the hands of Christians. It is true the Greeks were not considered as ideal Christians as the British, but they would do. The whole war thing was to show Othello's warlike prowess and support the sense of Christian superiority. War is only important in these two contexts.