Othello Revision Pack Aims and Objectives Gain an

Othello Revision Pack

Aims and Objectives Gain an understanding of what will be asked of you in the exam and to understand the marking criteria. Breakdown an exam question and identify the possible points of analysis you may include in your answer. To engage actively with the text, encouraging possible interpretations. Encourage autonomy within the breakdown of the second exam question

About the Examination. . .

Assessment Objectives What the AQA site states? AO 1: Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology , and coherent, accurate written expression. AO 2: Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts. AO 3: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received. AO 4: Explore connections across literary texts. AO 5: Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations. What this means in simpler terms? AO 1: write an in-depth, personal and original response to literary texts, using ideas and appropriate vocabulary to produce logical written expression. AO 2: Examine thoroughly ways in which meanings in the text are created. AO 3: Show understanding of the importance and the effect of the context - when it was written and received. AO 4: Search for connections with other literary texts AO 5: Search for other literary texts that have been influenced by different interpretations.

AS English Literature B Specimen Paper Breakdown Question: Explore the significance of the aspects of dramatic tragedy in the following passage in relation to the play as whole

Stop! First thing first, What is the question asking of you? In order to write a good essay, it is important that the first thing you do is to gain a clear understanding of what the question is asking you to do. Look at the essay question in close detail and identify the topic and descriptive words, which show you how the examiner wants you to answer the question. This question is asking you to explore, which means you need to adopt a line of questioning and consider a variety of different viewpoints and where possible reconcile opposing views by presenting a final line of argument.

Think!! What happens before? -Roderigo and Iago’s dispute, resulting in Iago expressing how much he hates Othello. - Roderigo and Iago wake Desdemona father shouting to tell him of her marriage. Brabantio goes in search of Othello What happens after? - Othello breaks up a fight developing between Brabantio’s men and Cassio’s. The court scene where Othello and Desdemona contest their love and the Duke gives his blessing. How is this significant to the rest of the play?

Activity In considering the significance of where this extract fits within the play it may be beneficial to think of the plot in terms of its dramatic structure. Gustav Freytag was a 19 th century novelist and playwright, who wrote a book entitled ‘Die Technik des Dramas’ in which he studied the dramatic structure of classical 5 act dramas. The pyramid acts as a plot diagram representing the action within the tragedy at it’s most pivotal points. Try drawing your own triangle to represent Othello? ( An example of what yours might look like can be found at the end of this pack)

Contemplate Aristotle for a moment…. The Tragedy Genre The Shakespearean form of dramatic tragedy is based on the plays from Ancient Athens which depicted the downfall of a character or hero from Greek legend. The hero would struggle against unavoidable fate usual brought on through hubris (pride) or hamartia (a fatal flaw) and his noble defeat would mean he won some form of a cathartic moral victory. Unities of Place, Time and Action Aristotle proposed that the whole tragedy should take place in a single location, it would take place during the course of a limited amount of time, like one day, and would be one story without sub-plots. Shakespeare doesn't usually follow these strict rules in his tragedies such as in Hamlet which takes place in many different locations. Othello, however, apart from Act 1 in Venice, is set entirely in Cyprus. It also, although it obviously can't have happened all in one day, gives the impression of an abstract day unfolding with the major scenes seemingly taking place as if it happens within a day. Major scenes happen in the following times of day to give the impression they follow each other within hours not days- starting in Venice after midnight with the elopement (where extract 1 takes place), the Senate meeting at dawn, the morning storm and the afternoon landings and developments, the fateful drinking party in the evening and the murder at bedtime.

Commentary Iago is remarking to Othello that even though he has killed many times in battle he doesn’t think he’s cut out for murdering people. Although, he does say he has felt like killing Roderigo a number of time for all his insults to Othello. The conversation then moves towards whether Othello and Desdemona have consummated their marriage and the fact that Brabantio could have it annulled if it was found out that they hadn’t. Othello responds with all the duties he has done for Venice and that these will have more weight than that of Brabantio’s. He also tells Iago that if it he didn't truly love Desdemona then he would not of given up his freedom.

Commentary People are approaching and Iago fears it’s Brabantio and his men. He advises Othello to go inside his house for safety. Othello does not listen to Iago and remain outside believing that his status as Desdemona’s husband will vindicate him, although Iago isn't so sure. Othello realises that it’s Casio and the Duke’s men that have arrived and greets them. Cassio inform hims that the Duke needs to see him at once and explains about the situation with Cypress and Othello goes with them after attending to his house.

Representation of Characters in extract Othello is represented as many things throughout the play by his and others opinions. At this stage he is the valiant, noble soldier which is repeated throughout. However, it’s important to note here that he remains an elusive character as the audience have to wait for him to enter and even when he does his first line isn’t dramatic at all. The effect of this is to provide a drastic contrast to the out of control murderer Othello we are presented later on in the play. Another his late entrances also allow the audience to establish his position as an outsider due to his otherness. Before his entrance in this extract Iago sets up our first impressions of him with his antagonization of Brabantio and his horror. Actors talk about their characters. Iago Prior to this scene we have seen Iago goading and manipulating Roderigo. In this extract this behaviour is represented yet again in his goading of Othello. However, unlike Roderigo, unfortunately for Iago, Othello doesn’t ride to the bait. For the purposes of the triangle this extract fulfils the exposition stage of setting the scene for the play as as the effects of this set Iago up as the machiavellian antagonist.

Activity The cast of Othello have been represented by many different actors over the years. These two videos show two different Iago’s reciting the same speech. How do these representations differ? Who would you cast in your own production of Othello from the world of film, theatre or television? Think about your choices and write a couple of sentences as to why.

Critical Interpretation In relation to this extract Marxism is one possible approach to analyse it. Below are the possible viewpoints you may consider in order to do so…. . . Desdemona I love Othello despite his race and color. Racial problem places no effect on my love. We are not united by parental will or elemental passion, but by mutual understanding and friendship. I am all by myself without family or country, an alien, a Moor, and raised to my position and power by my own personal virtue and valor. I am outraged at the violation of the implicit trust and mutual confidence that has united me and Desdemona. I believe that she has cheated on me and her falseness overwhelms me. I am going to strike Othello down by making him doubt Desdemona’s love, which is a solid truth since his skin is of a different colour. There is no way her love for him is for a pure and true nature. He is an outcast and does not belong. I am dismayed at my daughter Desdemona for marrying a darkskinned person regardless of my respect for him. Such a fine lady would only love such a black Moor if bewitched by witchcraft. Othello Iago Brabantio

To Shakespeare, the tragic struggle is based upon a class conflict. Roderigo Cassio Iago A wealthy noble that bears Desdemona no real love but merely desires to boast of his new conquest Aristocratic, handsome, superbly educated - a true Florentine (resembles Roderigo but with a more respectful virtue) A clever, energetic, talented plebeian, but without honor or conscience → represents the upper class → plays a role as part of the social background → administration of the supremacy of the bourgeoisie (illustrated by the “put money in thy purse” quote)

Activity: Extract Annotation Attached to the link below is an annotated version of the extract in question. It contains some relevant points that you may include within your answer. After the previous slides is there anymore you think you could add to this in order to help you tackle this question Aaa https: //docs. google. com/a/york. ac. uk/document/d/1 Na. OHXky 7 vl. XI 8 J 0 n. EWW D 4 d. XCr. R_pu. Ap 5 nlqb. Eixhi. ZU/edit? usp=sharing

Example of a Band 3 paragraph and a Band 5 paragraph Exam Question: Explore the significance of the aspects of dramatic tragedy in the following passage in relation to the play as a whole. (Act. 1 Sc. 2) “Within this extract, Iago appears to be worried, respectful and caring; ‘But I pray, sir, Are you fast married? ’ Here, Iago is warning Othello that Brabanzio will try and attempt to force him and Desdemona to divorce. This is significant with regards to the play as a whole, because even though it appears as though Iago has good intentions, his true intentions are full of malice and revenge. He has a deep hatred for Othello and wishes to destroy his reputation and livelihood. Iago therefore, is depicted as the villain, the antagonist, whereas Othello is the protagonist of the play. ” Commentary: AO 1: Sensibly ordered argument, some use of critical concepts and terminology. AO 2: Straightforward and relevant understanding of the text. AO 3: Straightforward and relevant understanding of context AO 4: Straightforward exploration across literary texts. AO 5: Straightforward consideration of the task. “Iago and Othello represent the concept of the tragic hero and villain respectively, a literary trope within dramatic tragedy. Othello for example in his period before his dramatic fall gives lengthy speeches appropriate to his esteemed station and expresses his pride at his military prowess. Othello, the play’s protagonist, is clearly representative of a “tragic hero” a concept integral to the dramatic conventions of tragedy. This extract represents Othello in his Pre-Lapsarian state, before the hero “falls from grace”. This is expressed through Shakespeare’s use of early hubris, “My parts, my title, and my perfect soul”; the language of this quote represents Othello’s initial confidence and assurance in his position. This, following the usual story arch of the tragic hero, is a juxtaposition to his later state of paranoia, in which he begins to question Desdemona’s faith. ” Commentary: AO 1: Perceptive and assured argument in relation to the task. AO 2: Perceptive understanding of meanings and methods used. AO 3: Perceptive understanding of contexts and the genre studied AO 4: Perceptively explores connections with other literary texts AO 5: Confident and perceptive debate used in relation to the task.

Now it’s your turn, over to you…. . . Explain the significance of feminism with regards to the character Emilia in the following passage. You should consider the following in your answer: Desdemona believed Emilia not Why? Effect on dramatic tragedy Iago’s response relating to women as possessions By asking you to explain this question is asking you to clarify the significance of feminism by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context in relation to Emilia.

Think!! What happens before? What happens after? How is this significant to the rest of the play?

Commentary Emilia exposes Iago’s lies, whilst he denies everything telling her to go home. Othello moans as she continues to protest Desdemona’s innocence. Grantanio says he’s glad her father isn’t here to see such a thing as it was there marriage that forced him into an early grave. In his defense Othello says Iago can corroborate his story as he knows that she was having an affair with Cassio and that he even admitted it.

Commentary Othello refers to the handkerchief as evidence of his betrayal. At which point Emilia realises Iago’s web of deceit but he tries to keep her quiet again. She won’t be silenced and Iago threatens her drawing his sword, Gratiano remarks his shame for drawing a sword on a woman. Emilia continues to tell her story explaining that it was she who found the handkerchief and gave it to her husband as he had begged her to steal it many times. Iago continues his assault on Emilia calling her a liar and a whore. At which point Emilia swears by heaven she is telling the truth to Othello.

Commentary Emilia comments that she can’t understand how an evil murderer such as Othello could have married such a woman as Desdemona. As it is all dawning upon Othello he wonders why heaven can’t strike Iago dead. Othello charges at Iago to kill him but Iago kills emilia instead and runs away. Montano orders Grantiano to take Othello’s swords and guard the room where they are killing him if he tries to escape rather than letting such a wicked man get away whilst he goes after Iago. Othello laments his weakness that his had his sword removed and wonders how his reputation for honour lasted longer that his actual honor did. Emilia sings the Willow song while she’s dies to Desdemona like a swan as they sing when they die. In her last breath she tells Othello again that she is telling the truth and that Desdemona did not cheat on him then dies.

Think! How are the female characters represented here? What are the differences between them? Emilia Desdemona Similarities? Why may their differences and similarities be significant?

Critical Interpretation: This extract can be interpreted in terms of feminism, below are the main points within this ideology in relation to it. A demonstration of the expectations of the Elizabethan patriarchal society: - The society was built upon Renaissance beliefs - Women were meant only to marry - Marriage as women’s single occupation (house management and child rearing) - Women were expected to be silent, chaste and obedient to their husbands, fathers, brothers and all men in general - Women were thought to be physiologically and psychologically inferior to men

Women as Possessions - Women are objectified throughout the play. For example, Othello was bid by the first Senator to “use Desdemona well” (Act I Scene 3), in which the word “use” connotes to the phrase “look after” but also supports the Venetian expectation of women that they are to bos to the wills of their husbands who may utilise them as they wish. - Women’s feelings disregarded. Iago believes the Othello has slept with his wife Emilia and wishes to be “evened with him, wife for wife” (Act II Scene 1), disregarding the feelings of both wives. “. . . use Desdemona well” (Act I Scene 3)

Women as Submissive - Desdemona declares herself “I am obedient” (Act III Scene 3) and such obedience lasts throughout the play as she remains true to her husband till her very death and provides Othello with an alibi for her own murder that he does not use. - Even Emilia, a comparedly much stronger female character, is aware of her ‘proper’ role in the society. She states “Tis proper I obey him, but now” (Act V Scene 2) when revealing Iago’s plotting at the end of the play “Command me to my kind lord” (Act V Scene 2)

Women can be Powerful - Emilia voices out her opinion towards men at the end of Act IV when she argues that women are physically no different to men: “Let husbands know, Their wives have sense like them; they see and smell, And have their palates both for sweet and sour As husbands have” (Act IV Scene 3) However, it can be argued since such a speech is given to Desdemona in moments of privacy, Emilia is still repressed by the men by not daring to voice out such opinions in public.

Women as Temptresses - Othello’s language is influenced to be talking more about matters of the flesh like Iago as he is deeper misled to believe Desdemona’s dishonesty. On his way to murder his wife, he states that “Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted” (Act V Scene 1) The repetition and sibilants reflects Othello’s preoccupation with sensual matters. - Othello is led to his downfall purely based on his belief that his wife Desdemona is cheating on him, showing the great influence she has over him. Even Cassio refers, jokingly, to Desdemona as “our great Captain’s Captain” (Act II Scene 1), implying she is the only individual capable of controlling and taming the brave Othello.

Women as ‘whores’ - All three female characters in the play had been accused of prostitution and inappropriate sexual conduct: Desdemona Emilia Bianca Referred by Othello as “whore” (Act III Scene 3), “subtle whore” (Act IV Scene 2) and “cunning whore” (Act IV Scene 2) Labelled as a “villainous whore” by Iago after revealing his evil plots (Act V Scene 2) Described by Iago as a “housewife” (Act IV Scene 1) and “strumpet” (Act IV Scene 1) Yet it appears that none of them are guilty, showing that as the male society falls apart in Cyprus, the men tends to express their anger and put the blame on the women by labelling them all as ‘whores’

Symbolism is also represtned within this extract. Opposite are the two main representations of this 1)The Handkerchief In Medieval and Renaissance periods the handkerchief was a symbol of love and was often a romantic favour. For instance, a lady would drop her handkerchief for a knight to pick up and keep as a token of her regard. The handkerchief that Othello gives Desdemona is a symbol of love. However, the handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity. But the handkerchief’s importance to Iago and Desdemona derives from its importance to Othello himself. He tells Desdemona that his mother used it to keep his father faithful the pattern of strawberries (dyed with virgins’ blood) on a white background strongly suggests the bloodstains left on the sheets on a virgin’s wedding night, so the handkerchief implicitly suggests a guarantee of virginity as well as fidelity. 2)The Song “Willow” (Symbolism is the use of symbols in a text to represent ideas or qualities) As she prepares for bed in Act V, Desdemona sings a song about a woman who is betrayed by her lover. She was taught the song by her mother’s maid, Barbary, who suffered a misfortune similar to that of the woman in the song; she even died singing “Willow. ” The song’s lyrics suggest that both men and women are unfaithful to one another. To Desdemona, the song seems to represent a melancholy and resigned acceptance of her alienation from Othello’s affections, and singing it leads her to question Emilia about the nature and practice of infidelity.

Activity: Independant extract annotation As before there is a copy of the extract attached to the link below. However, this time there is only a glossary included. Try annotating this extract from the information you have been presented with yourself and any other important points that you may think relevant in order to answer this exam question. https: //docs. google. com/a/york. ac. uk/document/d/1 QKr. XU 5 mfo. Xqa. Sr. B 13 j. Vge. B 8 CAu. Sc. Re. Mue-xr 8 t. Kf 7 ZI/edit? usp=sharing

Crossword Across 3. Roman god referred to in ACt 1 scene 2. 4. Othello is reffered to as this throughout. 6. Relation Grantiano is to Desdemona. 7. Type of conflict concerned with a Marxist perspective of Othello. 8. Word often associated with Iago. 10. Also fancies Desdemona. 11. Othello's hubris 12. Number of assessment objectives. 15. Need to be made across literary texts concerning AO 4 17. Desdemona's father. 18. Women were deemed these by Elizabethan men. Down 1. Freytag's Pyramid is used to present this. 2. Emilia's husband. 4. Type of villain Iago is. 5. These are shaped in literary texts and must be analysed as part of AO 2. 7. Place where the Othello is sent by the Duke. 9. Assessment objective number which is concerned with context. 13. Person who exposes Iago's plan. 14. Item that Bianca copies for Cassio. 15. The third stage in Freytag's Pyramid 16. Term which means to adopt line of questioning and consider a variety of different viewpoints in your exam answer. (Answers can be found at the back of this resource)

Freytag’s Pyramid Example Exposition- The effects of Desdemona and Othello’s marriage are felt of na ath mo rm de fte es -A g. D on in cti der g a ur llin o m Fa hell Ot Ri of sing ha con Ac vin tion g a cin - I n a g O ago ffa th pu ir w ello t h ith De is p Ca sd lan ss em in io on to a i ac tio s n Climax- Othello decides he must kill Desdemona Resolution- Othello kills himself

Crossword Answers Across 3. Roman god referred to in ACt 1 scene 2 Janus 4. Othello is referred to as this throughout. Moor 6. Relation Gratiano is to Desdemona. Uncle 7. Type of conflict concerned with a Marxist perspective of Othello. Class 8. Word often associated with Iago. Honest 10. Also fancies Desdemona. Roderigo 11. Othello's hubris Jealousy 12. Number of assessment objectives. Five 15. Need to be made across literary texts concerning AO 4 Connections 17. Desdemona's father. Brabantio 18. Women were deemed these by Elizabethan men. Possessions Down 1. Freytag's Pyramid is used to present this. Structure 2. Emilia's husband. Iago 4. Type of villain Iago is. Machiavellian 5. These are shaped in literary texts and must be analysed as part of AO 2. Meanings 7. Place where the Othello is sent by the Duke. Cypress 9. Assessment objective number which is concerned with context. Three 13. Person who exposes Iago's plan. Emilia 14. Item that Bianca copies for Cassio. Handkerchief 15. The third stage in Freytag's Pyramid. Climax 16. Term which means to adopt line of questioning and consider a variety of different viewpoints in your exam answer. Explore