A hierarchy that Elizabethans believed God ordained for the earth.

A moment of insight where the tragic hero understands their circumstances.

A pivotal action that changes the protagonist’s fate from secure to vulnerable.

A disturbance which interferes with the normal functioning of something.

'Othello' and Shakespeare's conventions of tragedy

English

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'

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

a hierarchy that Elizabethans believed was chosen by God to order everything

What was most important according to the Great Chain of Being?

What is true of social order in Shakespeare's tragedies?

What is Shakespeare's structure for tragedies?

Iago is in love with Othello's wife, Desdemona

Iago does not believe Othello is worthy of his rank due to his race

Iago is angry that Othello did not give him a promotion

In the play 'Othello', how does Iago's manipulation of Othello link to social order and status?

the climax, when he sees Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief

the falling action, when he shouts at Desdemona

the resolution, when he is told by Emilia that Iago manipulated him 

In Shakespeare's 'Othello', in which act does Othello likely experience anagnorisis? 

a character of high status with a hamartia that experiences a downfall

a sympathetic central character of common status

In Shakespeare's 'Othello', what could Othello's hamartia be?

When he learns Cassio had Desdemona's handkerchief

When he learns he was manipulated by Iago

When he learns that Brabantio rejected him

In 'Othello', what may Othello's moment of anagnorisis be?

What is Othello's peripeteia in Shakespeare's 'Othello'? 

When Othello kills Desdemona because he rids himself of insecurity

When Othello finds that Cassio has Desdemona's handkerchief because it is tense

When Othello kills himself because he rids himself of guilt

When are the audience likely to experience catharsis in the play 'Othello'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

'Othello' and Shakespeare's conventions of tragedy

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.