A protagonist is the main character in a play.

The inciting incident is an event that acts as the catalyst for the protagonist’s changing fate.

The resolution is the end of the story where the problem is solved.

A catalyst is something that causes something else to happen.

Moorish people were the North African people that ruled Spain from 711 to 1492.

Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration

English

'Othello' and Aristotle's conventions of tragedy

'Othello' and Shakespeare's conventions of tragedy

Exploring Act 1, Scene 1 of ‘Othello’

Exploring Iago from ‘Othello’ as a Machiavellian villain

Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

Written analysis of Othello in Act 1, Scene 3

Exploring Act 2, Scene 1 of Othello

Analysing Iago’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

Analysing and writing about Iago from ‘Othello’

Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

Exploring Act 4 Scene 1 of 'Othello'

Exploring Act 5, Scene 1 of ‘Othello’

Exploring the characterisation of Desdemona in ‘Othello’

Exploring Act 5, Scene 2 of ‘Othello’

Exploring Othello as a tragic hero

Constructing an argument about Othello as a tragic hero

Linking moments and quotations in 'Othello'

Exploring motifs in 'Othello'

Exploration of the theme of race in 'Othello'

Using context effectively to discuss ‘Othello’

Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello'

Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’

Exploration of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello'

Analysis of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello'

In 'Othello', pupils learn about the conventions of a tragic hero, which allows them to judge whether the protagonist is more a victim of his own hamartia or rather of external pressures and a racist society. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic  Hero', pupils evaluate whether Macbeth's downfall is caused by his own hubris or whether Lady Macbeth and wider society can be blamed. 

In 'The Language of Protest', pupils take inspiration from protest poetry and speeches, to write an opinion article. In 'Othello', pupils use their argumentative writing skills to compose letters in defense of Othello and to write speeches campaigning for racial equality. 

In this unit, pupils explore Shakespeare's 'Othello'. They start by learning about Aristotelian tragedy and how Shakespeare adapted it. They read long extracts from across the play, and consider the presentation of Othello, Iago and Desdemona. Finally, they look at key themes, such as jealousy.

'Othello'

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Who is Othello from Shakespeare's 'Othello'?

Iago convinces Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him

Iago convinces Othello that his lieutenant, Cassio, is trying to usurp him

Iago convinces Othello that his wife's father wants to kill him

How does Iago manipulate Othello in 'Othello'?

What is tragic about the ending of 'Othello'?

Iago - he is a mere soldier in a society where rank is valued

Othello - he is a black general in a society where racial prejudice was rife

Cassio - he is a Turkish lieutenant in a society that disapproved of invasion

Who could be considered an outsider in the play 'Othello' and why?

he is likely to be delighted - Othello has high status as a general

he is likely to be annoyed that Desdemona did not consult him before marrying

he is likely to be apprehensive because Desdemona's marriage is interracial

In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how is Desdemona's father likely to react to her secret marriage to Othello and why?

Iago plants seeds of Desdemona's cheating

Othello sees that Cassio has Desdemona's handkerchief

Which event in the play 'Othello' could be seen as the climax?

Which time period did Shakespeare live in?

Having a biased view on a group of people due to race, gender, religion etc.

Starting with the first, put the components of Freytag's pyramid in chronological order. 

What three types of play did Shakespeare write?

Starter Quiz