Cover lesson(s) Mr Smith and Miss Spray

Critical approaches to Othello and Misunderstanding in Othello

Read the articles below and answer the guided reading questions which follow. You made need to use Wikipedia to find the definitions to some terms.

TASK 1

http://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/critical-approaches-to-othello

Critical approaches to Othello

What do new historicists do?

Read the summary of Cinthio’s De Gli Hecatommithi, 1565 by clicking on the "view images from this item tab" immediately below the image of the book. Now answer the following questions

What does Cinthio's collection of short stories explore?

How does Shakespeare adapt Cinthio's tale in Othello?

Post colonialism

What is post colonialism?

What do post colonial readings focus on in the play?

What real life event was the inspiration for the plays rising action?

How does the play undercut the Christian/Turkish binary?

What are Brabantio and Desdemona fascinated by and why?

New historicist reading: ‘far more fair than black’

What debate are new historicist critics currently having?

What evidence is there that Othello was held in high esteem by other characters?

What references establish his liminal position in society?

Feminist reading: ‘a maiden never bold’

What is endogamous marriage?

What has changed in the audiences reading of the character of Desdemona since the plays original performances and the 20th century?

What is the current feminist perspective on the play?

Can you find evidence in the text to support this (include quotations)

Marxist reading: ‘’Tis the curse of service’

What are marxists critics concerned with?

What is the hierarchy (pecking order) in the play?

What have fuedal obligations of service been replaced with?

TASK 2

http://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/misunderstanding-in-othello

According to the article, where does the texts tragedy spring from?

How does Iago manipulate Othello?

The handkerchief

READ the explanation of Italian handkerchiefs to gain a better understanding of its significance.

What two things does the article believe the handkerchief represents?

What does the pattern on the handkerchief represent?

The Venetian ‘state of mind’

How does the play Othello characterise Venice?

What did the Venetians have an appetite for?

How did John Leo view Africans and why is this a significant difference to Venetian's?

War

Why does this section believe misunderstanding is inevitable?

Gender

In the play, what do Venetian men have little grasp of?

What is Emilia's function?

Summarise this section from a feminist perspective.

YR12 Cover Lessons Mr Smith and Miss Spray

Read the articles and answer the questions which follow

Racism, Misogyny and Motiveless Malignity In Othello

http://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/racism-misogyny-and-motiveless-malignity-in-othello


What does Kiernan Ryan believe the play is a 'searing critique' of?
What evidence does Ryan provide to substantiate this view?
What does Ryan believe is Brabantio's main fear regarding Othello and Desdemona's relationship?
Which quotations are used to demonstrate that characters 'speech is infected with contempt for "the Moor"?
What type of jealousy is shown to be the 'rule' in Venice?
What item does Ryan believe links the three couples?
Why does Ryan believe Iago is so successful in making Othello believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful?
Which two quotations does Ryan use to show this to be true?
Summarise why Ryan believes that Iago DOES NOT possess 'motiveless malignity'.

Iago's Control Over The Play

https://englishatlc.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/emag-on-iago.pdf 

How many lines do Othello and Iago have?
What is 'unusual' about this fact?
Soliloquies
What is the difference between a soliloquy and a monologue?
What does the author believe is significant about how Shakespeare allocates these to both Iago and Othello?
A Study In Vilany
What is significant to the author about Iago's lines in Act1 Scene 3?
What is unusual about the final act?
Words As Weapons
What does the author notice about Iago and Roderigo's interactions?
Verse and Prose - Iago's Insincere Sincerity
At what points in the play does Block believe that Shakespeare uses prose intentionally?
Why does the author believe that verse reflects our true feelings?
What does the author believe is significant about Iago's use of iambic pentameter?
Which quotations are used to show a weak strong rhythm in the play?
The Terrifying Power of Language
What does the author believe is Iago's final insult

BIG QUESTIONS

Of the two articles, which argument do you find more compelling and why? Provide evidence form both article as well as the play itself to support your views.

Who is a more jealous person, Othello or Iago?

Essay Writing Task

Task 1

Print off and read the example band 5 response to your year 12 mock question and highlight where the student has hit the AOs.


Task 2


Iago is the ultimate stage villain – calculating, manipulative, clever and ruthless.

To what extent do you agree with this view? Remember to include in your answer relevant comment on Shakespeare's dramatic methods.


Answer the above question.

Dramatic Terms

https://www.scribd.com/doc/310753673/Glossary-of-Drama-Terms

Othello Lit Chart

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_LYFPCz7eJHS2tsYVI2ZHRGRTA/view

Othello - Act 5 scene 2. Lines 1-233

"Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" 

Emilia [5.2.192-193]

Questions: Act 5 scene 2 lines 1-233

Answer in full sentences, with quotations. Type your responses and post to your blog.

1. What reasons does Othello give for having to kill Desdemona?
2. What evidence is there to suggest that Shakespeare adhered to racial stereotypes in this scene? Consider:
• irrational behaviour
• emotions
• danger
• the 'mystical negro' stereotype
• representations of the 'other'
3. Othello tells Desdemona that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her (line 68). What was this 'confession'?
4. Emilia says "Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" [5.2.192-193] what does this indicate about Emilia and society? Consider the circumstances the characters are in.
5. How is Emilia presented in lines 125-233. Consider the language she uses, how she behaves and what she says to Othello and Iago.
6. List all of the names Emilia calls Othello when she realises what he has done. How does this contrast with how Othello was portrayed at the start of the play?

Othello - Act 5 scene 1

How does Shakespeare create a sense of fear and confusion in Act 5 scene 1? Consider:

• Setting
• Language
• Structure of lines
• Use of characters
• Other dramatic methods

Your response should be no less than 1/2 a side of A4, and no more than 1 side of A4.  It should include quotations. Track the scene chronologically.

Act IV, Scene 2

1) What does Othello ask Emilia at the beginning of the scene, and how does Emilia respond?
2) What does Othello say to Desdemona and how does Desdemona respond? Is Othello treating Desdemona fairly?
3) When Desdemona and Emilia tell Iago about Othello’s behavior, how does Iago respond? What does Iago say he thinks is the cause of Othello’s anger? What does Emilia think is the cause?
4) Why is Roderigo angry and how does he threaten Iago? In response, what does Iago say Roderigo must do and why? According to Iago, what will be Roderigo’s reward if he follows Iago’s advice?

Othello Questions – Act IV Scene 1

Act IV, Scene 1
1) What are Othello and Iago discussing at the beginning of the scene? What physical reaction does Othello have to Iago’s information?
 
2) Whom do Iago and Cassio discuss while Othello is hiding? What does Cassio say about her? Whom does Othello think they are discussing and why?
 
3) Who enters at the end of Iago’s and Cassio’s conversation? What does she say to Cassio and what does she give him?
 
4) How does Othello plan to kill Desdemona? How does Iago suggest he do it? What is Othello’s response to Iago’s suggestion?
 
5) Who is Lodovico? How does Othello treat Desdemona in Lodovico’s presence, and what does Lodovico say about Othello’s behavior? What does Iago tell Lodovico about Othello’s behavior?