Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’
I can explore the theme of temptation in Act 3, Scene 3.
Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’
I can explore the theme of temptation in Act 3, Scene 3.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Act 3, Scene 3 can be seen as the moment of peripeteia in the tragedy.
- The fragmented structure of the scene highlights the increasingly disordered nature of the play.
- The symbolic setting of the garden alludes to the biblical temptation in that it mirrors Iago's satanic role.
- Dramatic irony heightens the tension in Act 3, Scene 3.
Common misconception
Othello's downfall is solely due to his own faults.
Shakespeare carefully crafts Iago as someone who plays a huge role in Othello's downfall - acting like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Keywords
Peripeteia - a pivotal action that changes the protagonist’s fate from secure to vulnerable
Symbolic setting - a setting that symbolises a key idea or theme
Dramatic irony - a tragic technique in which the significance of a character’s words are clear to the audience but unknown to the character
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 peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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