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Year 9

Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello'

I can confidently explore the theme of appearance vs reality in ‘Othello’.

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Year 9

Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello'

I can confidently explore the theme of appearance vs reality in ‘Othello’.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Iago’s deceit is delivered by manipulation of perception.
  2. Iago defines his role as deceiver in Act 1, Scene 1: ’I am not what I am’.
  3. The language of the play refers to dreams, trances and visions to explore the unreliability of reality.
  4. Iago performs a role of a director, addressing audience and staging scenes, suggesting how reality can be manipulated.

Keywords

  • Deceit - the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true

  • Treacherous - involving deception or betrayal

  • Conceal - prevent something from being seen

  • Aside - a remark intended to be heard by the audience but not other characters

Common misconception

Appearance vs. reality is only shown through Othello believing his wife is unfaithful.

There are many moments in the play in which appearance and reality are manipulated


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students how far Iago is responsible for other people believing his manipulated reality, or how far it is the fault of other characters' naive trust?
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You will need a copy of Shakespeare's 'Othello' for this lesson.

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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.
What is a symbol?
when an object reoccurs throughout a play
Correct answer: when an object represents something else
when a character speaks alone
Q2.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how does Iago deceive Othello?
He convinces him that Venice is in danger.
Correct answer: He convinces him that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.
He convinces him that he is a useless army general.
Q3.
How does Iago contribute to getting Cassio fired in 'Othello'?
He frames him as having an affair, so Othello fires him.
Correct answer: He frames him as a drunkard, so Othello fires him.
He frames him as a war criminal, so Othello fires him.
Q4.
In the play 'Othello', what is the moment Othello sees Desdemona's 'affair' with Cassio as 'reality'?
He sees Desdemona and Cassio kissing.
Desdemona's lipstick is smudged.
Correct answer: He sees Bianca, Cassio's mistress, with Desdemona's handkerchief.
He sees Cassio's tie in Desdemona's pocket.
Q5.
Is Desdemona what she seems at the beginning of the play 'Othello'? Explain.
Correct answer: No, her father believes she is ''a maiden never bold''.
Yes, she is a timid young woman who obeys her father.
No, Othello believes she is a faithful wife.
Q6.
How does ‘’I am not what I am’’ link to the theme of appearances vs reality in the play 'Othello'?
It shows how Iago is insecure about not getting a promotion.
It shows how Iago cannot decide if he likes Othello or not.
Correct answer: It shows how Iago will appear to be loyal but in reality be treacherous.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which character appears inseparable from the theme of appearance vs reality in Shakespeare's 'Othello'?
Desdemona
Roderigo
Correct answer: Iago
Othello
Q2.
How is Roderigo deceived in the play 'Othello'?
Correct answer: He is led to believe that Iago is genuinely helping him to win over Desdemona.
He is led to believe that he will be imminently promoted.
He is led to believe that Desdemona secretly loves him.
Q3.
How does Iago paint a false depiction of Othello in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
Correct answer: Iago paints Othello as animalistic and evil in 1.1
Iago paints Othello as a thief in 1.1
Iago paints Othello as noble hero in 1.1
Q4.
In 'Othello', why is Othello's trance significant in helping Iago manipulate reality?
Correct answer: Iago uses Othello's impairment to successfully fabricate a conversation.
Iago sends Othello back to Venice and claims he is not fit to lead the army.
It buys Iago time to frame Desdemona and Cassio in an intimate moment.
Q5.
Which literary device is commonly used for Iago's speech and why is it significant in crafting the theme of appearance vs reality in 'Othello'?
sonnet, it shows his secret love for Desdemona
Correct answer: soliloquy, it shows his want to conceal
dramatic monologue, it shows his secret boastful nature
Q6.
In 'Othello', Othello states that he needs "ocular proof" to believe Desdemona's affair. How does Iago achieve this?
Correct answer: He plants a handkerchief in Cassio's room.
He manipulates Cassio into a drunken confession.
He takes Othello to a secret balcony where he can see for himself.
He manipulates Desdemona so she inadvertently lies to Othello.