Exploring motifs in 'Othello'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and analyse the motifs in the play 'Othello'.
Key learning points
- Motif analysis should address both the overall purpose of the motif and the meaning of individual examples.
- The motif of plants and gardening surrounds Iago, suggesting that he is in control.
- Many of Iago's quotes about plants are focused on poison, suggesting that he taints those around him.
- The motif of animals and light and dark allows racist stereotypes to be exposed and subverted, respectively.
- The motif of demons, hell and monsters is concerned with characters’ morality.
Keywords
Motif - recurring images that help to develop the story’s theme
Taint - contaminate or pollute something
Primal - relating to an early stage in development
Permeate - spread through something and be present in every part of it
Common misconception
Motifs and symbols are the same.
A motif is a recurring image whereas a symbol is one thing that represents something else.
Teacher tip
Have a discussion about what students think the most important motif is in the play and why.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Shakespeare's 'Othello' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a motif?
Q2.Which character is introduced as diabolical in Shakespeare's 'Othello'?
Q3.Which quote from 'Othello' shows Iago to be diabolical?
Q4.In 'Othello', what does Othello say at the end of the play that confirms Iago as a diabolical presence?
Q5.In 'Othello', what could Iago be said to have planted metaphorically in Othello's mind?
Q6.How does Iago expose his racism and prejudice against Othello in the play 'Othello'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is not a motif in the play 'Othello'?
Q2.''Not poppy, nor mandragora...shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep''. What motif is shown in this quote from 'Othello'?
Q3.Which motifs permeate Iago's character in the play 'Othello'?
Q4.Which motif used in Shakespeare's 'Othello' subverts racist stereotypes of the Elizabethan era?
Q5.Which motif is used in the play 'Othello' whenever morality is in question?
Q6.In 'Othello' Iago often operates at night, is duplicitious and delivers soliloquies, what motif is suggested by this?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring motifs in 'Othello', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring motifs in 'Othello', 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.