Using context effectively to discuss ‘Othello’
I can integrate context skilfully into my written analysis on 'Othello'.
Using context effectively to discuss ‘Othello’
I can integrate context skilfully into my written analysis on 'Othello'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Context refers to the historical, social, literary and biographical.
- Context should not be presented as isolated facts or generalisations.
- Context should be relevant to the analysis and embedded in the response.
- Context should develop your ideas and give an insight into the writer’s purpose and intention.
- Context can be used to analyse specific word choices or images, considering historic connotations or social importance.
Keywords
Tragedy - a play dealing with the downfall of a central character
Great Chain of Being - a hierarchy for all living things that Jacobean people believed in
Jacobean - the era in which King James I was on the throne
Embedded - incorporated deeply inside of a larger thing e.g. context embedded into a paragraph
Rennaisance - a cultural, artistic movement covering the 14th to 17th centuries
Common misconception
Context just needs to be included in a response to make it effective.
Context must not only be included but carefully considered, adapted and moulded to the point you are trying to make.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Using context effectively to discuss ‘Othello’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Using context effectively to discuss ‘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.
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 violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
