Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration
I can understand the plot and context of ‘Othello’.
Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration
I can understand the plot and context of ‘Othello’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Iago is angry that he has been passed over for promotion, so pretends to love Othello whist plotting his downfall
- Iago tells Desdemona's father about her secret marriage to Othello which causes trouble but she defends her love for him
- Iago preys on Othello’s insecurity by planting Desdemona’s handkerchief – false proof of her betrayal - in Cassio’s room
- Iago manipulates Othello to the point where he murders his wife, as punishment for her supposed unfaithfulness
- Race and gender are key contextual ideas to consider in the play
Keywords
Protagonist - A protagonist is the main character in a play.
Inciting incident - The inciting incident is an event that acts as the catalyst for the protagonist’s changing fate.
Resolution - The resolution is the end of the story where the problem is solved.
Catalyst - A catalyst is something that causes something else to happen.
Moorish - Moorish people were the North African people that ruled Spain from 711 to 1492.
Common misconception
We would react the same way towards the characters and events as would the Jacobean audience.
Explain that societal beliefs were different in the 1600s so a Jacobean audience would likely react differently to the events and characters
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration, 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.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the 'Othello' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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