Exploring Iago from ‘Othello’ as a Machiavellian villain
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate Iago's presentation as a Machiavellian villain.
Key learning points
- Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince’ proposes that in order to get and maintain power you have to be prepared to be evil.
- A Machiavellian villain is scheming and operates in secrecy.
- A Machiavellian villain is a 'puppet master’, manipulating and using others as tools.
- Iago reveals his commitment to knavery, through his soliloquies.
Keywords
Machiavellian - Describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.
Soliloquy - An act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud by oneself.
Knavery - A deceitful or dishonest act.
Treachery - Betrayal of trust.
Common misconception
Iago is simply a villain - unkind and evil.
Iago's character as a villain can be looked at through different lenses. One is Machiavellian.
Teacher tip
Ask students if they know of any Machiavellian villains in stories they have read before.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is Iago bitter about in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
Q2.What does Iago do in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' to get revenge on Othello?
Q3.In Act 1 of 'Othello', what does Iago refer heavily to when telling Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello's elopement?
Q4.Which quote from Shakespeare's 'Othello' proves that Iago is planning to be duplicitous in how he acts towards Othello?
Q5.Which quote from Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' presents Iago as diabolical?
Q6.How does Iago reveal himself to be a bigot in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a Machiavellian villain?
Q2.What does Iago scheme to do in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
Q3.Why is the form in which Iago reveals his true intentions in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' significant?
Q4.In the play 'Othello' what does Iago call upon to bring his 'monstrous' ideas to light?
Q5.Read the following quote from Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello': "And will as tenderly be led by the nose As asses are.'' What is Iago saying about Othello here?
Q6.Why might Shakespeare characterise Iago as a Machiavellian villain so early on in the play 'Othello'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring Iago from ‘Othello’ as a Machiavellian villain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring Iago from ‘Othello’ as a Machiavellian villain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'Othello' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.