Othello by William Shakespeare In this tragic play

Othello by William Shakespeare In this tragic play by Shakespeare there is a focus on the evil of man, an evil that results in the death of the tragic hero, but also in deaths of the innocent and good.

Othello by William Shakespeare The play forces us to ask how such qualities such as love, goodness, justice and loyalty can survive in the world given man’s capacity for evil and destruction.

What is a tragedy? In pairs, mind map as many different ideas as you can think of about what a tragedy is. You have 5 minutes Be prepared to feedback

A tragedy is a specific form of drama • Tragedy is a type of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events • The pattern of all tragedies is that some action takes place or a character does something to throws life into turmoil. • Put simply – social order prevails at the beginning of the play, but very quickly we see society in a state of disorder. • The effect of this is that it makes us think about the complex nature of man and the world we live in.

Tragedy • In Othello, Shakespeare gives full consideration to the disruptive effects of man’s behaviour. • In fact, the consequences are so serious that it leads to the death of the main character at the end of the play. • Any play that ends with the death of the main character is a tragedy. • It means that the status quo of society has been disrupted so much that violence has taken over and the main character is the victim.

Tragedy In Othello, the status quo is shattered. This occurs when Othello a black man marries the wealthy white noble woman Desdemona. This act has broken the social conventions of the time. • What are social conventions? • How do you think they’ve been broken here in the 17 th century?

Tragedy in Othello • Once the social conventions have been broken, we begin to see the cruel vicious and murderous side of man. • We see his self-seeking, his hatred and violence. • In the play, Othello comes up against the evil around him.

Tragedy in Othello • In Othello, we see an extreme form of disorder. The whole of life seems close to chaos and meaninglessness. This terrible disorder leads to the death of the tragic hero. • A bleak, disturbing vision of life is portrayed through Othello, the tragic hero. • Othello is initially a heroic general, but his own base passions gain control of his personality.

Background to the play • The first act of the play takes place in Venice, which was a stable and powerful city state in the 16 th century. • Cyprus, the setting for the rest of the play, is far less secure. Venice owned Cyprus, but Cyprus was now under attack from the Turks.

The Main Characters

Summary of the play Cliffs. Notes https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 j 9 q. TTIB 4 p. Q The Animated Tales https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ricga. Oy 64 l 8

Do you know the plot? Summarise the key plot points of the play in one paragraph.

Act 1 Scene 1 Summary: • Roderigo is unhappy with Iago for failing to promote his marriage to Desdemona, who has recently married Othello. • Iago says that Othello has promoted an inexperienced soldier, Michael Cassio, over him and that he hates Othello and wants to take revenge on him. • To cause trouble, Iago urges Roderigo to wake up Brabantio and inform him of his daughter Desdemona’s elopement. • Brabantio discovers that Desdemona is not in her room. Calling for weapons, he sets out to locate Desdemona and Othello.

Act 1 Scene 1 Conflict and tragedy in Othello • The topic of marriage seems of little political significance. • However, Shakespeare juxtaposes Roderigo’s failure to marry Desdemona with Iago’s failure to gain promotion. • Shakespeare makes it clear that private and public issues will collide. • At the end of the scene Brabantio arms himself and rouses the neighbourhood. • Brabantio is making the marriage between Othello and Desdemona a public and political affair. • The audience realise that this marriage is going to be at the heart of the play.

Act 1 Scene 1 The language men use to define women: • The ways in which the male characters discuss women reveal the patriarchal context of the play. • Patriarchy: The patriarchal system places the man at the head. • The imagery makes it clear that the male characters view women as their possessions. Iago shouts to Brabantio “Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!/thieves!”

Act 1 Scene 1 • Brabantio believes that Desdemona has subverted the natural order by eloping and choosing her own husband ‘treason of blood’. • The image of Desdemona in ‘the gross clasps of the lascivious moor’ make sit plain that her ‘revolt’ is outrageous. • This is not just because she has eloped but also because she has chosen a moor. • Brabantio chooses to lay the blame at Othello’s door. According to Brabantio her ‘youth and maidhood’ have been ‘abused’ by Othello and his love potions. • This idea fits in with the renaissance stereotype of a black man as a sexual predator.

Quick questions to show understanding Use evidence from the text to back up your ideas. 1. Why does Iago have grudges against Othello and Cassio? 4. What examples can you find of names referring to Othello? 2. Do you think Iago’s motives are plausible? 5. What is the immediate tone of the play from this first scene? 3. What is the significance of not referring to Othello by name throughout the first scene?

First impressions of the villain • Iago reveals his villainy early on. He seems to have a clear motive for causing Othello harm. • He tells Roderigo that he is bitter because ‘preferment goes by letter and affection/ And not by that old gradation. ’ • Iago stresses that he only follows Othello to ‘serve his turn upon him. ’ • Iago is very good at getting himself out of trouble. He leaves the stage just as Brabantio discovers Brabantio is gone. • There is a lot of truth in Brabantio’s words to Iago ‘thou art a villain’ yet nobody else sees it. • By the end of Act 1 Scene 1 Iago is established as a manipulative and powerful character who can instigate and stage manage chaos effectively.

First impressions of Iago What do you think of him as a character? ‘An old black ram is tupping your white ewe. ’ ‘Poison his delight… plague him with flies’ ‘Tis the curse of service – preferment goes by letter and affection. ’ ‘I am not what I am’ What do these quotations reveal about Iago’s character from the very beginning?

First impressions of Iago What do you think of him as a character? ‘An old black ram is tupping your white ewe. ’ ‘Tis the curse of service – preferment goes by letter and affection. ’ ‘Poison his delight… plague him with flies’ ‘I am not what I am’ ‘I do hate him as I hate hell’s pains’ Assign a quote to each person in your group. Now speak them aloud in the tone you believe Iago would – what meaning is being conveyed here about Iago’s character?

How does Shakespeare speak? • Othello is mainly written in blank verse. • Iambic pentameter • This form has a regular rhythm , but doesn’t rhyme. • In Iambic pentameter the lines are 10 syllables long. • Each line is divided into pairs of syllables or ‘feet’. • It is done to fit in with the human speaking voice, it is flexible and can show different • Each foot has one stressed syllable followed tones. by and unstressed one. Task Take a look at Iago’s first big speech in Act 1 Scene 1, lines 18 -33. Can you spot a pattern to his speech? Why do you think Shakespeare has done this?

Scene analysis Look at Iago’s use of imagery. • He wants Roderigo to ‘call up her father , poison his delight’ and ‘plague him with flies’. • Iago’s use of metaphors associates him with poison, corruption and disease. • Shakespeare has begun to prepare us for the poisoning of Othello’s mind, foreshadowing what occurs in Act 3.

Iago’s crude and mocking language • ‘Horribly stuffed with the epithets of war’ • ‘Even now, very now, an old black ram / is tupping your white ewe. ’ • ‘your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs’ • ‘the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor’ Discuss • What is meaning of these quotes? Analyse them. • Why is Iago using such grotesque animal imagery to describe Othello? • What effect does it have on Brabantio? LO: To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language.

Iago’s crude and mocking language Iago speaks a different language from the two other characters. He is crude and mocking. Iago’s descriptions of Othello, which we would now view as racist, are a key part of the negative black stereotype that is being created. Iago’s references to an ‘old black ram’ ‘a barbary horse’ and the ‘beast with two backs’ reinforce the idea that Desdemona has made an unnatural match. Does Iago’s use of imagery here, reveal more about Iago’s character than it does Othello’s?

Othello – First Impressions Othello

Brabantio BRABANTIO: It is too true an evil. Gone she is. And what’s to come of my despisèd time Is naught but bitterness. Now, Roderigo, Where didst thou see her? —Oh, unhappy girl!— With the Moor, say’st thou? —Who would be a father? — How didst thou know ’twas she? —Oh, she deceives me Past thought!—What said she to you? —Get more tapers, Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you? RODERIGO: Truly, I think they are. BRABANTIO: Oh, heaven, how got she out? Oh, treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds By what you see them act. Is there not charms By which the property of youth and maidhood May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo, Of some such thing? Task: Look at these lines. Is Brabantio presented as a good father? Justify your answer – it may change throughout!

Act 1 Scene 2 Characters • Iago • Othello • Cassio • Roderigo • Brabantio • Officer LO: To know and understand how Shakespeare presents Othello in Act One of the play;

Act 1 Scene 2 Iago warns that Brabantio may use his influence to have Othello arrested and his marriage dissolved. Othello is confident that his reputation and royal breeding make him a suitable match for Desdemona.

Act 1 Scene 2 • Cassio brings a message from the Duke who urgently needs Othello at a meeting. • Othello and his soldiers are accosted by Brabantio and his followers. • Othello commands the men to put away their weapons and denies Brabantio’s accusations that he has bewitched Desdemona. • Brabantio decides to go to the council meeting with Othello, so that he can inform the Duke of Othello’s treachery.

The language of insults • The coarse imagery that Iago used to describe the sexual union of Othello and Desdemona continues. • Iago compares the marriage of Othello and Desdemona to that of a pirate who has boarded a treasure ship. Othello has ‘boarded a land carrack’ • The racial insults also continue to fly – when Brabantio cannot believe that his beautiful privileged daughter would voluntarily ‘Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/ of such a thing as thou. ’ • This negative language dehumanises Othello Do you have any sympathy for Brabantio?

Othello: First Impressions Which of the following descriptions best matches the images of Othello given in Act 1 Scene 1? Explain your decisions. • • an untrustworthy stranger a worthy soldier a calm, measure, statesman like man a man of high principles a Moor an exotic figure, dangerous and unreliable an exotic and attractive figure • a highly respected leader • a man for whom sexual desire is paramount • a man who has earned a high office for his virtues • a man with enemies • a dangerous man

Othello: First Impressions Which of the following descriptions best matches the images of Othello given in Act 1 Scene 1? Explain your decisions. • • an untrustworthy stranger a worthy soldier a calm, measure, statesman like man a man of high principles a Moor an exotic figure, dangerous and unreliable an exotic and attractive figure • a highly respected leader • a man for whom sexual desire is paramount • a man who has earned a high office for his virtues • a man with enemies • a dangerous man

Othello: First Impressions Look again at the list of descriptions. Which of the following descriptions best matches the images of Othello given in Act 1 Scene 2? Explain your decisions. • • an untrustworthy stranger a worthy soldier a calm, measure, statesman like man a man of high principles a Moor an exotic figure, dangerous and unreliable an exotic and attractive figure • a highly respected leader • a man for whom sexual desire is paramount • a man who has earned a high office for his virtues • a man with enemies • a dangerous man • Why do you think Shakespeare creates two opposing images of Othello in the first two scenes? • How does this influence your view of Iago and his relationship with Othello?

Learning Intentions • To know and understand the events of Act 1 scene 3. • To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

Act 1 Scene 3 Characters • • • Duke 1 Senator 2 Senator Sailor Officer Messenger • • • Brabantio Othello Desdemona Roderigo Iago LO: To know and understand the events of Act 1 scene 3.

What happens? • Othello is told to prepare for war against the Turks. • Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft against Desdemona. • Othello recounts the history of his relationship with Desdemona. She is brought into the council to confirm his words. • Desdemona asks to accompany Othello to Cyprus. Othello places her in Iago’s care. • Brabantio warns Othello about trusting Desdemona. • Iago says he will help Roderigo seduce Desdemona and cuckold Othello.

How does Othello woo Desdemona? • Re-read lines 129 (‘Her father loved me, oft invited me, ’) – line 171 (‘Here comes the lady: let her witness it. ’) • Look at Othello’s speech as a form of story-telling. Find examples in the text of each of these narrative techniques: • Setting the context for what he’s going to reveal • Vivid & exotic details • Repetition • Description of settings • Recounting thoughts and feelings • Recounting what was said • Poetic use of language (alliteration, onomatopoeia etc. ) • Use of figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification )to bring the story to life LO: To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

Othello woos Desdemona • Brabantio thinks that Desdemona defies nature in falling in love with Othello: ‘A maiden…. she, in spite of nature…everything, / To fall in love with what she feared to look upon? ’ • Yet here Othello is erudite and poetic in his language, it does not seem at all unnatural for a young girl to fall in love with a brave hero. • Othello’s articulate manner also suggests he is not simply a savage, it subverts the stereotypes of the day. • Note too the contrast between Othello’s ability to communicate here and the lack of eloquence and communication when he is consumed by jealousy at the end of the play.

Othello woos Desdemona – Act 1 Scene 3 Her father loved me, oft invited me; Still questioned me the story of my life From year to year -- the battles, sieges, fortunes That I have passed. Here, Othello shows that, despite his reluctance to embrace Othello as a son-in-law, Brabantio is still fascinated by him – this is less positive than it at first appears, because he is essentially ‘othering’ Othello, considering him something exotic and exciting, rather than an equal. LO: To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

Othello: She gave me for my pains a world of sighs. Desdemona: Saw Othello’s visage in his mind Act 1 Scene 3 • The audience might wonder, did Othello and Desdemona really just fall in love with an image of each other? • Are there hints in Othello’s speech that he is charmed by Desdemona’s fascination with him, rather than Desdemona herself? What do you think?

Othello woos Desdemona – Act 1 scene 3 Othello’s language here is interesting, in that it is the language of a storyteller – he uses vast contrasts, emphasises the danger of his experiences, and presents himself as a hero who escapes these deadly terrains. I ran it through, even from my boyish days To th' very moment that he bade me tell it. Look at the repetition here – Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances, Othello is not only repeating what he Of moving accidents by flood and field; told Desdemona, Of hairbreadth scapes i' the' imminent deadly breach; but clearly emphasising his Of being taken by the insolent foe own heroism – And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence how accurate it is is unclear. And with it my travels' history: Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven, Even when recounting his telling of these stories, his language and imagery is romantic – is he trying to ‘woo’ Brabantio and the Duke as well?

Othello woos Desdemona – Act 1 scene 3 It was my hint to speak -- such was the process; Does Shakespeare expect the audience to believe these assertions or view them as boasting? And of the Cannibals that each other eat, The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear Would Desdemona seriously incline; But still the house affairs would draw her thence; Which ever she could with haste dispatch, ‘greedy’ and ‘devour’ are She'd come again, and with a greedy ear both quite animalistic word choices - suggests Devour up my discourse; Desdemona is passionate, the opposite of the ideal, demure Jacobean woman. LO: To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

Othello woos Desdemona – Act 1 Scene 3 which I observing, Took once a pliant hour, and found good means To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, Whereof by parcels she had something heard, But not intentively. I did consent, And often did beguile her of her tears When I did speak of some distressful stroke That my youth suffered. Does this mean that Othello intended to make Desdemona pity him? Does this perhaps explain why he is so quick to distrust her later in the play, believing she only married him out of pity? LO: To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of sighs: She swore, in faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange; Further suggestion of D’s passion – who wooed whom? 'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful. Does Desdemona mean she wishes she was a man or that heaven would give her such a husband? Note how respectfully Othello addresses Desdemona here, and trusts her to support his story. Think of what a contrast this is from the end of the play. She wished she had not heard it; yet she wished That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me; And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake. She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used. Here comes the lady. Let her witness it. Does this seem a secure foundation for marriage? Indication of the prejudice Othello faces. LO: To be able to analyse how Shakespeare presents Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in Act 1 scene 3.

What is Brabantio’s explanation of how Othello stole Desdemona? • Look at lines 59 – 64 • Explain how Brabantio believes his daughter to have been stolen away.

A sign of prophecy and irony As Desdemona declares her love for Othello to her father Brabantio warns Othello that he will need to keep a close eye on her. “Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She hath deceived her father and may thee. ” Ironically, Brabantio refers to Othello using his “eyes to see” - which is how Othello judges people and situations. However, towards the end of the play when he judges Desdemona, he is so twisted by Iago’s lies that he is unable to see the truth about either character. This warning from Brabantio is used later in the play by Iago as evidence of Desdemona’s infidelity. Do you have any sympathy for Brabantio?

Act 1 Scene 3 – Who said it? • How much do you know? • Complete the worksheet!

Jealousy in Othello Look at your copy of Iago’s Soliloquy – annotate as we go through these tasks By the end of Act 1 Scene 3, Iago reveals why he hates Othello and tries to justify his reasons in lines 374 – 395. One of his first reasons is as follows: I hate the moor, and it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets he’s done my office. What does this mean?

By the end of the act • By the end of this act, Iago’s soliloquy reveals to the audience some of his reasons for hating Othello. • Iago’s willingness to act on ‘suspicion…. . as if for surety” suggests there is an inherent evil nature to his character, and that the motives he gives are purely incidental. • IRONICALLY, this is exactly what Iago is able to convince Othello to do – change from being a man who judges by what he sees, to judging by what he hears.

Evil Iago ‘The Moor is of a free and open nature/That thinks men honest that but seems to be so’ • Another of Iago’s evil characteristics is his ability to see positive qualities – ones that Othello is proud of - as signs of weakness. • The audience is aware that Iago see this trait as a flaw and makes a person susceptible to being taken advantage of. • In this soliloquy, Iago expresses how he intends to take advantage of Othello, by using his trusting nature against him.

Iago’s changing style of language • When Iago is talking to Roderigo about winning back Desdemona from Othello, he speaks in fast paced prose. • Alone on stage, delivering his soliloquy to the audience, Iago returns to blank verse. This highlights Iago’s ability to manipulate his style to suit his purpose and audience. • What rhythm scheme does he use throughout this speech? Why does Shakespeare do this?

Task • In groups, discuss and annotate Iago’s speech. • Consider the use of rhythm, imagery and word choice. • What does this soliloquy tell us about Iago?

Iago’s Soliloquy – Act 1 Scene 3 Action: • Iago reveals his plan of fooling Roderigo, tricking Othello into believing Cassio (lieutenant) is pursuing Desdemona and justifying that their honest nature will lead them to their destruction. Characters: • Iago: the manipulative speaker who plans to destroy all of the characters he describes. • Roderigo: Iago's "friend" that trusts in Iago's honesty and takes his advice wholeheartedly.

• Iago reveals his inner motive to take down Othello by stating his belief that Othello slept with Emilia (his wife). His "office" is Iago's sexual duty to Emilia that he believes Othello took over. • *foreshadowing: Iago wants to his ranking ("office") back from Othello. Iago compares his "friend" Roderigo to an object only to pay him money as he continues to make false promises. Roderigo is considered Iago's purse. Thus do I ever make my fool my purse: For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, If I would time expend with such a snipe. But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets He has done my office: I know not if't be true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. He holds me well; Othello’s trust in Iago, his belief that he is honest and The better shall my purpose work on him. reliable will make it easier for • Iago uses a very direct and powerful verb "hate" to open his argument suggesting his simple motives that will be concealed by complicated lies and evil plans. • The use of this direct verb is Iago's way of telling us his plan to destroy openly, but only after his plans have come to fruition do we realize the early revelation of his plan in Act 1. Iago to manipulate him – taking advantage of Othello’s good nature.

Proper has the double meaning of being both attractive in physical attributes as well as an attractive target for Iago to base his plan upon. Cassio's a proper man: let me see now: To get his place and to plume up my will In double knavery--How, how? Let's see: -After some time, to abuse Othello's ear That he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose To be suspected, framed to make women false. Iago compares Othello to an animal (ass) that will The Moor is of a free and open nature, follow wherever it is lead That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, regardless just like And will as tenderly be led by the nose Othello will trust Iago As asses are. even without evidence. I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. Iago personifies his plan as a birth that will take place as a result of his villainous intentions. Imagery of “hell” and “monstrous” also foreshadow the incredibly dark and disturbing events to come.

Iago’s Soliloquy – Act 1 Scene 3 Iago goes through his thought process of the plan he intends to pursue, describing each character and justifying why it will work and why the characters are the ideal victims. • Chunk 1: Iago discusses how he is taking advantage of Roderigo's money. (his intentions for later) • Chunk 2: Iago reveals his hatred for Othello and the cause which will foreshadow the exact actions of how his plan will play out. • Chunk 3: Iago reveals how he will use Cassio for his plan's fruition. • Chunk 4: Iago discusses why each of these characters are ideal for the success of his plan. • Chunk 5: Iago states the result of his plan and justifies its inevitable success.

Comparing Othello and Iago’s Language Othello Emotive Descriptive Sometimes bombastic Calm, and confident Dignified blank verse Imagery concerns sea or heavens – reflects propensity toward chaos/uncertainty • This language reflects his lofty ideals. • • • Iago • Manipulative • Manufactures expressions for persuasive effect • Imagery is terse and dry • Bestial images – esp. of animals mating (ewes, horses, goats, monkeys, dogs) • Iago often speaks in prose (esp. when manipulating Roder. ) • Images of base physical functions • Images of money and trade language reflects the depravity of his Heroic Language – powerful, dramatic, images that know no This mind. bounds – sky, heaven, hell, death or fate. Anti-Heroic Language – plain, direct, ironically understated. His language later becomes chaotic, showing signs of madness. Sentences become fragmented and he uses more Iago remains in control of language obscenities. His language is broken and he is prone to throughout the play. violent outbursts. He skilfully uses insinuations, subtle hints, questions and indirect accusations. His language only returns to its former majesty at the end of the play after he realises what he has done.

Looking ahead Similarities in their Language • Othello’s language starts to become more depraved as his jealousy grows – he then starts to use Iago’s imagery (e. g bestial, diabolical) • Both characters use images of war and soldiers – Othello sees the glory of war, Iago views war as an economic venture. This shows Othello’s courage and idealism in contrast to Iago’s self-interested character.

HOMEWORK Read Iago’s last soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 3, and write a detailed paragraph (or two!) explaining: • • What your is impression of Iago when he speaks his soliloquy here How this soliloquy identifies the contrasts (and similarities? ) of Iago and Othello Why this soliloquy is important in the play as a whole How soliloquies like this increase our understanding of the tragedy

Act 2 Scene 1 Characters • • • Montano 1 Gentleman 2 Gentleman 3 Gentleman Cassio • • • A voice Desdemona Iago Emilia Othello Roderigo

Learning Intentions • To know and understand the events of Act 2. • To know and understand how Iago is presented in Act 2. • To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language and presentation of Iago.

A Summary of Act 2 Working in pairs to summarise Act 2 in one of the following ways: • One sentence outlining the key events • Ten key words which sum up the action and themes in Act 2 • 3 key quotations • You have 5 minutes! LO: To know and understand the events of Act 2.

Act 2 What happens? • Othello tells everyone the Turkish fleet has been defeated. • Iago persuades Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio in order to inspire jealousy, a major theme in this play. • Iago gets Roderigo to agree to start a fight with Cassio while he is on the night watch that evening.

Act 2 Scene 1 Summary • The Turkish fleet is destroyed by a storm, but all the characters arrive safely in Cyprus. • Iago dislikes the courteous way Cassio greets Emilia. • Othello is overjoyed to be reunited with Desdemona. • Iago persuades Roderigo to provoke Cassio into losing his temper in the hope of discrediting him. • Iago reiterates his desire to have revenge on Othello and Cassio. He suspects them both of cuckolding him.

Is Iago honest?

Iago’s misogyny • As they wait for Othello to arrive, Iago and Desdemona banter. Iago portrays all women, whether beautiful, ugly, smart, or foolish, as generally deceptive and sex-starved. But he also says that a woman with perfect virtue would be boring. Desdemona defends women against him, though she's clearly amused by Iago. • Iago expounds the prejudices against women and female sexuality that he will later use to manipulate Othello. Given the comic tone of his banter with Desdemona, however, it's hard to tell how he "really" feels about anything. Task: Contrast Iago’s and Cassio’s treatment of women in lines 83 -174.

Key points: Cassio • Cassio has a very polished, courtly way of speaking, especially of ladies. e. g. he speaks of Desdemona: – "excels the quirks of blazoning pens“ – "divine Desdemona" • As Iago finds out later, he has no love for her, though much respect; so it is with much irony that Cassio is charged as being Desdemona's lover • Othello sees Cassio as a model Florentine, all poise and polish, which is something Othello wants to be, but thinks he is not. • Othello's insecurities mean that Cassio is promoted over Iago, but also lead Othello to hold Cassio at a distance.

Analysis: Women • Though Iago is married, he does not have as favourable an impression of women as Cassio does. • Women are "wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended“ • He even declares that they "rise to play, and go to bed to work“ • Iago's perception of women as deceptive, dominating, and lusty influences the way he portrays both Emilia and Desdemona. • Iago is able to convince other men that they are anything but what they are.

Is Iago honest? • Iago is very dishonest to the other characters in the play of Othello. • To Othello he is extremely two-faced. He declares that ‘I hate the moor’ and that he is only with him and supporting him so that he ‘can serve his turn upon him. ’ This suggests that Iago is only with Othello to seek revenge. • He is also particularly dishonest to Roderigo, he jokes in his soliloquy that ‘he makes my fool my purse. ’ This implies that Iago is using Roderigo for money, instead of helping him to win Desdemona’s hand. • The only way in which Iago is honest is through his soliloquys to the audience. It is here that he reveals his true insidious nature. It is in these asides that Shakespeare shows Iago’s evil intent and the true nature of his dishonesty. • Iago uses the trust that Othello, Cassio and Roderigo have in him to manipulate and deceive them. • At the end of Act 1 Scene 3, Iago reveals his plan to corrupt and destroy the others lives, suggesting that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, ‘after some time to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too proper with his wife. ’ • Iago’s dishonesty is a key feature of his manipulative and evil nature.

Epithets An epithet is an adjective or describing phrase added before a name or noun which defines the person or thing; for example, ‘honest Iago’. In Act 2 there are several examples of epithets applied to various characters. First identify who said each of the following; then discuss how appropriate the description is: Epithet the warlike Moor valiant Cassio bold Iago the virtuous Desdemona brave Othello divine Desdemona the lusty Moor honest Iago Who said it? Is it appropriate? Why?

Epithets the warlike Moor Third Gentleman 2. 1 line 27 valiant Cassio Desdemona 2. 1 line 87 bold Iago Cassio 2. 1 line 75 the virtuous Desdemona Cassio 2. 3 line 325 brave Othello Montano 2. 1 line 38 divine Desdemona Cassio 2. 1 line 73 the lusty Moor Iago 2. 1 line 294 honest Iago Othello & Cassio 2. 3 line 330

Honest Iago • In this scene, everythinges on Iago’s ability to persuade those around him that he can be trusted, not just by Othello, but by Cassio as well. • Look at the examples of the way Iago operates. • Explore how he succeeds in manipulating those around him by matching the strategies listed below to a quotation from this scene on the handout: What Iago does Cajoling (persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery) Insinuating (hinting at something bad in an indirect and unpleasant way) flattering reassuring saying what people want to hear lying appearing reluctant to say something pretending he is nicer than he is Example of this (quote)

Honest Iago To Cassio • …but one cup: I’ll drink for you • What, man, ‘tis a night of revels, the gallants desire it. To Montano • You see this fellow that is gone before; He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar And give direction: and do but see his vice; 'Tis to his virtue a just equinox, The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him. I fear the trust Othello puts him in. On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. • I do love Cassio well; and would do much To cure him of this evil--But, hark! what noise? To Othello Touch me not so near: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio; Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. More of this matter cannot I report: But men are men; the best sometimes forget: Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, As men in rage strike those that wish them best, Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received From him that fled some strange indignity, Which patience could not pass. LI: To know and understand how Iago is presented in Act 2.

Honest Iago To Cassio • As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving: you have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. • You or any man living may be drunk! at a time, man. I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the general: may so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again: she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested

Iago’s Soliloquy • Read through Iago’s soliloquy (‘And what's he then that says I play the villain? ’ 2. 3) • Take one line at a time and decide what you consider to be a key word in that line. Highlight or underline that word. You should finish with a 27 word ‘skeleton’ of the speech. • Now annotate the speech in more detail, look at repeated words or phrases, contrasts and contradictions. What does the speech reveal about the concerns and ideas of the play so far? LI: To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language and presentation of Iago.

Annotating Iago’s Soliloquy • A fantastic video by another teacher – please annotate your copy as you watch: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=q 7 o. Db. T 4 t-5 o

Act 2 Scene 3 • • • • Iago gets Cassio to drink a bit, knowing that he cannot hold his liquor at all. Iago also tries to get Cassio’s feelings about Desdemona, but his intentions are innocent Iago hopes to cause a quarrel between Cassio and Roderigo Iago wants to see Cassio discredited through this, so that he might take Cassios place. Cassio fights with Roderigo Montano tries to hinder Cassio, but Cassio ends up injuring him. The noise wakes Othello, who comes down to figure out what has happened. Montano tells what he knows of it all, and Iago fills in the rest making sure to fictionalize his part in it all. Cassio is stripped of his rank, and all leave Cassio and Iago alone. Iago tries to convince Cassio that a reputation means little Iago suggests talking to Desdemona, maybe he can get her to vouch for him with Othello. This will help Iago get the impression across that Desdemona and Cassio are together Iago then gives a soliloquy about knowing that Desdemona will speak for Cassio, and that he will be able to turn that against them both.

Analysis: Honesty • "Honest" emerges as a key word in this scene • It is a term laden with irony, and a constant reminder of the dramatic irony inherent in Iago’s dealings. • None of the characters in the play have any idea of Iago’s plans and evil intentions: Othello and Cassio are especially innocent of this knowledge. • The audience knows exactly what Iago is up to, and is able to see his deceptions for what they are • Iago’s words interest the audience because of how much dramatic irony they are laden with • Curiosity to find out whether Cassio and Othello will come to know as much as the audience does about Iago’s deviance. • The word "honest" draws attention to how Iago’s motives are hidden from the characters onstage

Analysis: Juxtaposition • Iago and Cassio are juxtaposed in this scene to bring out Cassio’s flawed honour and courtliness and Iago’s manipulativeness and deceptiveness. • Cassio stands in especially sharp contrast to Iago when Iago speaks lustfully of Desdemona • Cassio is full of honour when it comes to women, and the ideals of a courtier as well. • "He's a soldier fit to stand by Caesar, " Iago says, the allusion to Caesar stating the fact that he knows Cassio's true quality. • Iago strikes gold when he figures out Cassio's weakness for drink • "Hell be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress dog, “ • Iago’s metaphor shows that he knows how liquor can separate even the best man from himself • Iago’s metaphor reinforces his perceptiveness, and the light/dark imagery

Analysis: Reputation • Reputation is a theme in the book that obviously holds some resonance for Cassio • Iago also knows the importance of reputation, which is why he makes sure that people see him as "honest" before anything. • "Reputation is a most idle and false imposition, " Iago says: this statement is meant as false consolation to Cassio, and is filled with great irony. • Reputation is always of concern when individuals are involved

Analysis: Devil • Cassio is so grieved that his reputation has been hurt that he sees fit to find a villain in all that has happened • Ironically, Cassio misses the identity of the real devil in this situation, Iago. • "Devil" becomes a key word in this play, as people try to seek out what is poisoning everyone • Good vs. evil is a major theme in the play • There is a great deal of grey area: Iago is the villain • Everyone else has some blemish of their natures • No one entirely deserving of the label "good".

Groups ü Sit in your groups. ü Read and discuss the question you have on your table. Write down your response on the whiteboards.

Setting Discuss: Why does Shakespeare change the setting from Venice (Act 1) to Cyprus (Act 2)? • Cyprus is ‘half-way house’ between civilised Venice & barbaric & foreign east. – Perhaps signifies the inner conflict Othello faces between civilised self & jealous self. • Medical theory of foul humours believed to be affected by heat, therefore Shakespearean audience would have believed Othello is adversely affected by heat. • Cyprus is military base – transgressions dealt with in military fashion • Allows opportunity to see characters out of familiar environment & therefore less constrained by usual codes of behaviour. Also allows emotions to intensify.

Setting Discuss: What is the significance of the storm in Act 2? Does the storm act as a metaphor? How • The storm is a symbol of unrest and foreshadows the trouble about to be seen in Othello and Desdemona’s turbulent relationship. • The storm marks the end of the peaceful part of the play, and is an act of fate, marking the end of the external threat (attack from the Turks) and the internal threat (Iago) • It also signifies Othello’s soon-to-be-seen volatile & destructive nature, which contrasts with Desdemona’s calm and virtuous character. • Might the storm also represent Iago himself and be a metaphor for his violent desires? • Iago, arrives to the Island first, signifying that he will be in charge in this Cyprus setting. • The storm mirrors the chaos of Act 1 Scene 1 • Consider, Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and passion.

Concluding our ideas Write a paragraph explaining how Shakespeare presents Iago in Act 2. Success Criteria: • Articulate creative, informed and relevant responses to literary texts, using appropriate terminology and concepts, and coherent, accurate written expression • Demonstrate detailed critical understanding in analysing the ways in which structure, form and language shape meanings in literary texts

Learning Intentions • To know and understand the events of Act 2. • To know and understand how Iago is presented in Act 2. • To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language and presentation of Iago.

Homework • Read Act 3. • Select five quotations which sum up the act and annotate each quotation – saying a lot about a little.

Reflecting on what we have learnt One thing I’d like to know Othello more in next lesson. . . Two things I have learned Iago today… What I already knew but Desdemona understand better

Learning Objectives • To know and understand the events of Act 3. • To know and understand how Iago is presented in Act 3. • To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language and presentation of Iago.

Act 3 Scene 3 Lines 1 - 89 Characters: • • • Desdemona Emilia Cassio Iago Othello • What is your impression of Desdemona in the first 34 lines of the scene? Is she submissive? Flirtatious? Confident? • What does Iago mean by his first line in this scene ‘Ha, I like not that. ’ (line 34)? What is Iago insinuating?

Act 3 Scene 3 In this scene, Iago begins to poison Othello’s mind into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. At first, Othello cannot believe that Desdemona would behave in such a way, but slowly Iago makes suggestions that get into Othello’s imagination and he begins to believe it could be true.

Act 3 Scene 3 lines 90 - 281 Characters: • Othello • Iago • Who has the most power in this conversation? Does the power shift at all? If so where? • Who sets the agenda of the conversation (chooses the topic)? • Who initiates the dialogue? Does each person wait till the other has finished or does one person keep interrupting? • Are there any words / images which are repeated or which seem particularly important?

Act 3 Scene 3 Lines 90 - 281 Re-read Act 2 Scene 3 lines 331 – 357. What is Iago’s plan as outlined in this soliloquy? • ‘Chaos is come again’ – some Elizabethans believed that a state of Chaos existed before the world began and when the world ended Chaos would come again. – On a personal level, ‘Chaos [coming] again may mean the end of Othello’s world – personal disorder on a cosmic scale. • Iago sets the agenda ‘Did Michael Cassio…’ suggests he has the most power. • Look at the number of questions at the beginning of the extract. – Suggests uncertainty • Look at repetition of ‘think’ – Iago implying doubt as to Cassio’s honesty • Line breaks suggest interruption – fast paced, therefore anxious / passionate exchange • ‘Men should be what they seem’ – shockingly hypocritical – does Iago’s dishonesty know no limit?

Shakespeare’s Language – Frank Kermode • ‘The pivotal scene of the play…’ p. 173 – ‘…And the scene ends with the pair swearing a joint oath of loyalty and vengeance. ’ p. 177. • What is Kermode’s argument here? • To what extent do you agree with his view?

Learning Objectives • To know and understand the events of Act 3. • To know and understand how Iago is presented in Act 3. • To be able to analyse Shakespeare’s language and presentation of Iago.

Act 3 Scene 4 Characters: • Desdemona • Clown • Emilia • Iago • Cassio • Bianca

Act 3 Scene 4 • Reread lines 32 – 47. • How many times is the word ‘heart / hearts’ mentioned? • How many times is the word ‘hand / hands’ mentioned? • What might these two images signify?

Learning Intentions • To revise Othello Acts 1, 2 & 3. • To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello. • To understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes over the course of the first three acts of the play. • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present the changing relationship between Othello and Iago.

Starter • Working in pairs, complete the Tarsia jigsaw puzzle on the first three acts of ‘Othello’. • Match the correct answers to the questions. • If you have got all the questions correct, the final shape should resemble a triangle: To revise Othello Acts 1, 2 & 3.

Learning Intentions • To revise Othello Acts 1, 2 & 3. • To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello. • To understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes over the course of the first three acts of the play. • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present the changing relationship between Othello and Iago.

Sequencing the play so far • In your pairs, read through the statements of events in the play. • Put these statements in the correct chronological order, following the order in which events unfold in the script. LO: To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello.

Othello – Acts 1, 2 & 3 1. Iago complains to Roderigo about ‘the Moor’ and the fact that Cassio has been promoted over him. 2. Iago and Roderigo go to Brabantio’s house and whip the senator into an emotional frenzy by telling him in lewd language of his daughter Desdemona’s elopement with the Moor. 3. Brabantio publically accuses Othello of witchcraft as he believes that this is the only way his daughter Desdemona would fall in love with a black man. 4. Othello calmly tells the story of his courtship with Desdemona and how she was initially attracted to him because of his adventurous stories. 5. Desdemona tells her father that she is married to Othello. 6. Othello is ordered to Cyprus to defend it against a Turkish invasion. He requests that Desdemona accompanies him. 7. In a soliloquy, Iago reveals for the first time that he has heard a rumour that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. LO: To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello.

Othello – Acts 1, 2 & 3 8. A storm at sea destroys the Turkish fleet. 9. Othello arrives safely in Cyprus. 10. Iago deliberately gets Cassio drunk, taking advantage of his low tolerance of alcohol. 11. Iago speaks with Montano about Cassio, highlighting his ‘vice’ – his propensity to drink. 12. Cassio wounds Montano in a brawl when Montano accuses him of being drunk. 13. Iago tells Othello that Cassio started the fight. Consequently, Cassio is dismissed from office. 14. Iago suggests to Cassio that he enlist the help of Desdemona to get his job back. LO: To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello.

Othello – Acts 1, 2 & 3 15. Desdemona assures Cassio that she will help him to get reinstated. 16. Iago, in a seemingly reluctant fashion, drops hints to Othello about Cassio’s honesty and about Cassio’s feelings for Desdemona. 17. Othello orders Iago to set Emilia to watch Desdemona for any sign of her infidelity. 18. Emilia steals Desdemona’s handkerchief which was a love token given to her by Othello. 19. Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago. 20. Iago claims to have heard Cassio talk in his sleep of ‘Sweet Desdemona. ’ 21. Iago claims that Cassio has Desdemona’s handkerchief. 22. When Desdemona denies that she has lost the handkerchief Othello informs her of its magical powers and sentimental value. 23. Cassio gives Bianca the handkerchief stating that he found it in his bedroom. LO: To know the sequence of events in the first three Acts of Othello.

Learning Intentions • To know and understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes over the course of the first three acts of the play. • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present the changing relationship between Othello and Iago.

Re-capping the play • Working in pairs, look back through the first three acts of the play and choose three or four short extracts which you feel highlight the changing relationship between Iago and Othello. • Annotate your extracts to show the ways in which this changing relationship is revealed in the language the two men use when they speak to each other. • Consider: • Imagery • Sounds and associations of individual words • The type of utterance (e. g. question, command or statement) LO: To understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes in Acts 1 – 3.

Feedback from homework • Working in pairs, look back through the first three acts of the play and choose three or four short extracts which you feel highlight the changing relationship between Iago and Othello. • Annotate your extracts to show the ways in which this changing relationship is revealed in the language the two men use when they speak to each other. • Consider: • Imagery • Sounds and associations of individual words • The type of utterance (e. g. question, command or statement) LO: To understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes in Acts 1 – 3.

Is this whole play really about a handkerchief? • What is the main purpose of Act 3 scene 4? • Why is the handkerchief so important to Othello? • How does he describe it? • What does it symbolise?

Act 4 Scene 1 Characters • • • Othello Iago Cassio Bianca Lodovico Desdemona LO: To be able to discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s language

Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 1 - 43 • Characters: üIago üOthello • Re-read this extract. • Identify in the extract anything that is Pevidence Pdirect advice Pinnuendo Phints or rumours • What do you learn about the techniques that Iago uses to persuade Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity? • What do you think an audience reaction to this scene might be? LO: To be able to discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s language

Act 4 Scene 1 Characters • • • Othello Iago Cassio Bianca Lodovico Desdemona LO: To be able to discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s language

Learning Objectives • To know and understand how the relationship between Othello and Iago changes over the course of the first three acts of the play. • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present the changing relationship between Othello and Iago.

Act 3 Scene 3 Turning point - changes Othello from devoted and trusting to insanely jealous • Iago suggests Desdemona's infidelity • Begins subtly "Ha! I like not that. […] I cannot think it, / That he would steal away so guiltylike, / Seeing you coming. ” • The sneering tone of Iago’s “Ha!” immediately garners interest from Othello. • He wonders what Iago has noticed and sees Cassio leaving Desdemona. • Iago quickly seizes this opportunity to subtly suggest that this encounter may not have been as innocent as it first appeared. • His use of the words “steal” and “guilty-like” imply to Othello that Iago believes something has been happening that should not have been. • This smallest suggestion is enough to stir Othello’s jealousy as he later questions Iago about this encounter.

Act 3 Scene 3 • Iago's skilful manipulation of this long discussion leads Othello to generate the idea of Desdemona's affair himself. • At this point Othello's jealousy allows him to be completely controlled by Iago “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; / Wear your eyes thus: not jealous nor secure. ” • This is the crucial suggestion to the success of Iago’s plan. Having instructed Cassio to appeal to Desdemona’s good nature, he will give Othello countless opportunities to see them together. • Desdemona’s appeals on behalf of Cassio will also take on new meaning in the jealous eyes of Othello. • Changes Othello from devoted and trusting to insanely jealous • Having already persuaded Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, Iago obtains the proof that turns Othello's jealousy into murderous rage. • He uses the handkerchief, a symbol of their love, to destroy their happiness and leads to the tragic end of the play.

Act 3 Scene 3 As we watch this scene, carry out the following tasks: 1. Take notes about the language and tactics Desdemona uses to try and persuade Othello. 2. Share your observations about Desdemona’s attempts to persuade Othello to reconcile with Cassio. What does she do? What kind of language does she use? How successful is she, and why? 3. Referring to the text from the scene, consider Desdemona’s strength in this scene. How strong and confident does she seem in this performance? How is this communicated through language and through action? Could this scene be played in a different way? 4. Share your observations about Iago’s attempts to persuade Othello that Desdemona might have been unfaithful to him. Examine his persuasive techniques, comparing and contrasting them to the techniques Desdemona used. Whose are more effective, and why?

Act 3 Scene 3 – What they’re really thinking https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=YW 1 XPzpi. XSk • Each group will look at a different section of the scene between Iago and Othello. • Within your groups, you should choose: - one person to be Iago one to be Othello one to be Iago’s thoughts one to be Othello’s thoughts. • Discuss the extract and annotate what the characters are thinking as they converse. • Each group will read their section of the script to the rest of the class. After each of Iago and Othello’s lines, the character representing their thoughts should express what they are really thinking or feeling. • Discuss the results of each read-through with the rest of the class, encouraging them to think about how and why Iago succeeds in persuading Othello.

Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello’s Soliloquy • Now we hear Othello in a soliloquy (258 -277), and the range of the imagery he uses underscores the appalling change in his character. • There is only one thing now of which Othello is certain — the "exceeding honesty" of Iago. • The Moor is obsessed with the need to prove or disprove Desdemona's fidelity. • Othello's mental agony approaches the emotional climax of the play; here is the first turning point of the drama. • Othello's mind and soul are torn with irrational images of Desdemona's infidelity and of his own unworthiness.

Critical Essay Choose a play in which there is a scene involving a significant discovery or deception or revelation. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the discovery or deception or revelation is presented and discuss how its impact contributes to your appreciation of the play as a whole. COPY THIS DOWN

Learning Intentions • To know and understand how Desdemona changes over the course of the play; • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present the change in Desdemona.

Starter • Discuss what happens in Act 4 - look at your one-page sheets to help • Summarise Act 4 in 5 bullet points. LO: To be able to discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s language

Act 4 Key moments: • Othello strikes Desdemona, and makes the decision to suffocate her in their bed • Desdemona sings about her sorrow and distress

Desdemona’s Song, Act 4 scene 3: ‘My mother had a maid called Barbary, She was in love, and he she loved proved mad And did forsake her. She had a song of “Willow, ” An old thing ’twas, but it expressed her fortune And she died singing it. That song tonight Will not go from my mind. I have much to do But to go hang my head all at one side And sing it like poor Barbary. What is the possible significance of this quotation? • Desdemona is preparing for bed, afraid that Othello is wrongly angry with her for being unfaithful. She sings "The Willow Song", a mournful folk ballad, in which a lady laments her lost love. • Desdemona only has time to sing two verses before she breaks off to talk to her maid Emilia. • But Shakespeare’s audience would have been familiar with the ending of the original ballad, and they would have known that it foretold tragedy.

• The earliest record of "The Willow Song" is in a book of lute music from 1583. There were eight verses, and it was originally about a man who dies because of his love’s cruelty and betrayal. Shakespeare changes the victim in the song from a man to a woman, making it more relevant to Desdemona. • Shakespeare's audience would have understood that the inclusion of the song foretells imminent tragedy for Desdemona, due to the cruelty of her lover Othello. • In the play, Desdemona says she learnt the song from her mother's maid, Barbara, who met with a tragic end whilst singing it: • Later in the play, Desdemona’s own maid Emilia makes Othello realise Desdemona’s innocence, and she is stabbed by her own husband, Iago, for betraying him. She refers to the song and its ominous prediction, and then sings it herself as she dies: “What did thy song bode, lady? Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan. And die in music. Willow, willow — Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor; So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true; So speaking as I think, I die. ” • As well as forewarning the audience of the tragedy to come, The Willow Song gives both Desdemona and Emilia a way to openly express their sorrow, as they cannot articulate their distress. It highlights the innocence of the two women, and the cruel acts of their husbands.

Desdemona’s Change • Read the quotations on the handout. • Annotate each quotation with the impression that they give about Desdemona’s character. (E. g. Does she seem confident / naïve / upset? etc. ) • Focus on each quote in turn and identify what it is that she says and how she says it which gives this impression. • You should also find the quotes in your copy of the play in order to see how it appears in context, for example how the others characters react to what she says. LO: To be able to discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s language

Learning Objectives • To know and understand the events of Act 5; • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present turbulent events of Act 5.

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 1 - 22 • Characters: • Iago • Roderigo • Makes notes: • How many imperatives does Iago give Roderigo? What does this suggest about their relationship? • How does this scene compare with Act 1 Scene 1? • What does Iago mean when he says of Cassio ‘He hath a daily beauty in his life / That makes me ugly. ’

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 1 - 22 • High number of imperatives – demonstrates the power Iago has over Roderigo. • 1. 1 & 5. 1 - both take place outside at night & both scenes feature Iago & Rodrigo plotting villainy. • Iago getting Rodrigo to do his dirty work – emphasises the upper hand he has in the relationship, and his capabilities as a manipulator, not only of Othello. • ‘He hath a daily beauty in his life / That makes me ugly. ’ • Is Iago contemptuous of himself? Or is he referring to Cassio’s natural charm & manners? Either way, he sees himself as “ugly” but it seems only in comparison to Cassio’s good looks, education and charm.

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 23 - 36 • Characters: • Roderigo • Cassio • Othello Make notes: • What observations can you make about Othello’s language and sentence types lines 31 – 36?

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 23 - 36 What happens From behind, Iago darts in and stabs Cassio in the leg, then runs away. From a distance, Othello hears Cassio's shouts of pain and believes that Iago has killed Cassio. Moved by Iago's loyalty to him, Othello steels himself to go and kill Desdemona in her bed. Analysis • Iago's actions are cowardly, sending Roderigo ahead of him and then attacking Cassio from behind. • Othello once again misinterprets what has happened, though, to Iago's benefit. • Othello's professed admiration for Iago, coupled with his newly misogynistic and violent plans for Desdemona, contrast poignantly from his declarations of love in 1. 3.

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 37 • Characters: • • Cassio Gratiano Lodovico Roderigo Iago Bianca Emilia Make notes: • What evidence is there in this section that the scene is taking place at night? What is the dramatic significance of this? • What observations can you make about Iago’s behaviour in this section?

Act 5 Scene 1 lines 37 • Iago here reveals the full extent of his villainy and treachery, killing the character with whom he has plotted onstage since 1. 1 in order to cover his tracks. • Although the other characters dismiss Bianca as a prostitute, she shows real affection for Cassio. • Iago, however, uses misogynistic stereotypes to implicate the (innocent) Bianca (“Gentleman all, I do suspect this trash to be a party in this injury”)and further put himself in the clear.

Act 5 Scene 2 lines 1 - 22 Homework Make notes: • Is this speech in verse or prose? Why is this significant? • Are any words or phrases repeated? What does this suggest about Othello’s state of mind? • What does it say in your notes about the word ‘cause’? Why does Shakespeare have Othello repeat this word? • Why is the phrase ‘put out the light’ repeated (look in your notes)? • What might ‘Promethean heat’ mean? • What types of sentences are used here (e. g. imperatives / declaratives / exclamations / interrogatives)? What does this suggest about Othello’s state of mind? • Look at where Shakespeare has used end stopping and where enjambment has been used. What observations can be made about the structure of the lines here?

Act 5 Scene 2 lines 23 - 104 Task Make notes: Find evidence for each of these different readings of the scene: 1. Othello has already decided to kill Desdemona. Nothing she says will make any difference at all. The dialogue is full of legalistic language as if Othello has tried her, found her guilty and is now sentencing her. 2. Othello feels that he has to kill Desdemona but he doesn’t really want to do it. His love for her still makes this an unbearably difficult task. 3. Othello is still in the grip of jealousy and irrationality. He ignores all her pleas and all the evidence because he is no longer the honourable, noble man that he once was.

Learning Objectives • To know and understand the events of Act 5; • To be able to discuss and analyse the way Shakespeare uses language to present turbulent events of Act 5.

Act 5 Scene 2 lines 105 - End Characters • • Emilia Othello Desdemona Montano Gratiano Iago Lodovico Cassio

Othello – Final Impressions • Re-read Othello’s last two speeches in the play. • What impression of Othello does Shakespeare leave the audience with?

What Does the Ending Mean? • The play ends in a spectacle of tragic violence: Emilia intercepts Othello after he’s murdered Desdemona and reveals Iago’s treachery. Her revelation is corroborated by information from Cassio and a letter found in Roderigo’s pocket. • In a vain attempt to prevent his scheme from being revealed, Iago stabs and kills Emilia, and is then taken prisoner while Othello, lamenting the loss of his wife, kills himself next to her. Notably, Iago is left wounded but alive at the end of the play. Cassio is charged with determining Iago’s punishment, and urges “the time, the place, the torture, oh, enforce it” (5. 2. ). • The ending symbolizes the culmination of the violent forces put in motion by Iago at the start of the play. He aimed at “practicing upon [Othello’s] peace and quiet / Even to madness” (2. 1. ). • Iago has been so successful that Othello feels compelled to kill himself, explaining that “I kissed thee ere I killed thee—no way but this, Killing myself to die upon a kiss” (5. 2. ). • Not only has Othello murdered his beloved wife, he also has to face the horrible truth that his suspicions of her adultery were completely unfounded. Sparknotes, 2019

What Does the Ending Mean? • Othello’s suicide serves as a kind of trial in which he decides on and enacts a punishment for his crime of killing Desdemona. • In his final speech, he explains how he hopes to be remembered, saying “When you shall these unlucky deed relate / Speak of me as I am” (5. 2. ). • Perhaps because he knows he has never been fully accepted by Venetian society, and that they will be quick to twist his reputation into that of a barbaric killer, Othello spends his final moments reminding his audience of the ways he has faithfully served Venice. • Immediately before he stabs himself, Othello draws a comparison to how he killed “a malignant and turbaned Turk…the circumcised dog” (5. 2. ). • The comparison might suggest that Othello, as a result of his crimes, now sees himself as an outcast who deserves to die in the same way, or it might imply that by voluntarily punishing himself for his crimes, he acts in a way that is consistent with his previous military valour. • Either way, Othello asserts an autonomy and control over his destiny that contrasts sharply with the way he has been manipulated throughout most of the play. Sparknotes, 2019

Carousel Task Things to include: • Ideas • Observations • Key quotations • Analysis

Task Plan for the following essay questions: 1. Choose a play in which a central character is in conflict with or rejects another character. Briefly explain the circumstances of the conflict or rejection and go on to discuss the consequences of this conflict or rejection for the play as a whole. (You should write on Iago’s conflict with Othello – be clear that part of what is interesting is that it is conflict that Othello is unaware of). 2. Choose a play in which a major character at times feels isolated from those around him or her. Explain the reasons for the isolation and, with reference to appropriate techniques, discuss how the character’s response to his or her situation contributes to your understanding of the play as a whole. 3. Choose a play in which one scene makes a major dramatic impact on the audience. With reference to appropriate techniques, explain how the dramatic impact of the scene is created and discuss how the scene contributes to your appreciation of the play as a whole.

Learning Objectives • To know and understand the different types of desire presented in ‘Othello’; • To be able to analyse the ways Shakespeare presents desire as a destructive force.

The Destructive Nature of Desire • What do we understand by the phrase ‘the destructive nature of desire? • Assign a scribe (or 2!) • As a class create a mind map which focuses on the different examples of the destructive nature of desire in the play.

• Othello regarded as the play about sexual jealousy. • Shakespeare was writing ‘Othello’ in 1603, at same time working on ‘Measure for Measure’ another play about sexual desire, both based on Italian stories found in Cinthio Giraldi’s book Gli Hecatommithi (1565) (‘A Hundred Tales’). • Othello & Desdemona only recently eloped when O is convinced of D’s infidelity. – 2. 3 couple not yet consummated their marriage ‘’Come, my dear love, / The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; / That profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you. ’ • O & D travel to Cyprus together on separate ships – why is not explained, but it does mean the couple have had v little time together to build the bonds of marriage. • The fact that Cassio is the accused lover make D’s alleged infidelity all the more painful – double betrayal.

Context • Shakespeare was writing ‘Othello’ in 1603, at same time working on ‘Measure for Measure’ another play about sexual desire, both based on Italian stories found in Cinthio Giraldi’s book Gli Hecatommithi (1565) (‘A Hundred Tales’). • Read the chart on the next slide. What do Shakespeare’s alterations add to the tale? – Think particularly about the destructive nature of desire.

Cinthio vs Shakespeare Cinthio Un Capitano Moro (1565) (‘A Moorish Captain’) Shakespeare Othello (1603) Othello… unnamed, happily married for years Othello… newly married A Moor A Christian convert Handsome, age not specified Much older, more than 40 Hates the idea of leaving his wife behind Doesn’t mind if his wife stays in Venice Cassio - married Cassio, a Florentine bachelor Iago, who has a daughter, is in love with Disdemona, but Iago – childless thinks she loves Cassio; he attempts to kill Cassio and beats her to death with a sand filled stocking whilst Othello stands by. Othello, tortured, incriminated by Iago, then banished, hunted down and killed by Disdemona’s vengeful family. Othello kills himself, Brabantio dies from grief, after his arrest Iago, like Othello is Cinthio’s tale ‘never will speak. ’

Different Strands of Desire Working in groups look at the different types of desire in ‘Othello. ’ • Group 1 – Consider Iago’s desire for revenge / for Othello. • • Read the article ‘Iago on the Couch’. What view of Iago is given here? What is your view of Iago? Select the ideas in this article that would be pertinent to your essay. • Group 2 – Consider Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. • • Read the article ‘Tragic Consummation in Othello’ What view of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is given here? What is your view of their relationship? Select the ideas in this article that would be pertinent to your essay.

Planning the Essay • Working in your new groups, share with each other the articles you were reading and the notes that you made. • Now start planning your essay as a group – it’s okay if you have different ideas, but use the discussion time to bounce ideas around and to consider different perspectives.