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Year 9

Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

I can explore how Othello's character is established in Act 1, Scene 3.

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Year 9

Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

I can explore how Othello's character is established in Act 1, Scene 3.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Epithets are used to establish how characters are perceived by one another and society.
  2. Othello is established as calm, powerful and eloquent, which makes his later disturbance all the more shocking.
  3. Visually, Othello is an outsider but morally he embodies all that would be seen as respectable, chivalrous and moral.
  4. Othello's honourable speech contrasts the way in which Iago presented him as boastful.

Keywords

  • Epithet - A phrase expressing an attribute considered characteristic of the person being described.

  • Honourable - Bringing or deserving respect.

  • Valiant - Possessing courage and determination.

  • Eloquent - Fluent or persuasive in speech.

Common misconception

Othello will live up to others' expectations and opinions of him.

Othello is completely different to other's perceptions of him. Indeed, he must be worthy of sympathy if he is to be a tragic hero.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students if a modern and Elizabethan audience would react in the same way to meeting Othello.
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Teacher tip
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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', what does Brabantio find out in Act 1 Scene 1 about his daughter?
Correct answer: she has eloped with Othello
she has run away because she is in danger
she has died
Q2.
At the start of 'Othello', why did Iago tell Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello's elopement?
he wants to celebrate their marriage
Correct answer: he wants to get revenge on Othello and thinks Brabantio will reject Othello
he wants to get revenge on Othello for his violence
Q3.
What does Iago do to mock Othello when speaking to Brabantio at the start of 'Othello'?
compares him to a jilted lover
Correct answer: compares him to an animal
compares him to a criminal
Q4.
What is not a valid interpretation of Iago in the opening scene of Shakespeare's 'Othello'?
Correct answer: he is presented as a tragic hero
he is presented as a villain
he is presented as a malcontent
Q5.
"O unhappy girl! With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!" What does this quote show about Brabantio's feelings towards his daughter's elopement in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
Brabantio is satisfied with the match.
Brabantio is happy if Desdedoma is happy.
Correct answer: Brabantio thinks Desdemona cannot be happy with Othello.
Q6.
What does Brabantio's reaction to the elopement of Othello and Desdemona in 'Othello' reveal about him?
Correct answer: he has racial prejudice against Othello
he wants Iago to marry Desdemona
he is open-minded
he never wants Desdemona to marry

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello', what does Brabantio accuse Othello of?
Correct answer: bewitching his daughter to make her fall in love with him
killing his daughter
poisoning his daughter to put her to sleep
Q2.
How does Othello respond to Brabantio's accusations of bewitching Desdemona in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
Correct answer: calmly
angrily
tearfully
Q3.
Which quote taken from Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' shows Othello's honour?
''I won his daughter''
''That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, It is most true''
Correct answer: "if you do find me foul in her report…let your sentence even fall upon my life"
Q4.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', what epithet do the other characters use to refer to Othello and why is it significant?
'Valiant general' and it shows their respect to him
'Traitor' it shows their contempt for him
Correct answer: 'the Moor' it shows their labelling him as an outsider
Q5.
What does the Duke say that testifies to Othello's eloquence in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
Correct answer: The Duke says that Othello's tale "would win my daughter too"
the Duke says that Othello is a "valiant" leader, so he must be trusted
the Duke says that Othello's love for Desdemona seems "truer than the moon"
Q6.
Why is Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' important in shaping Othello as a tragic hero?
The audience begin to see Othello's flaws in this scene.
Correct answer: The audience gains sympathy for Othello in this scene.
Othello has his anagnorisis in this scene.