New
New
Year 9

Exploration of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello'

I can identify a variety of evidence to explore the theme of jealousy in ‘Othello’ and how it contributes to Othello's downfall.

New
New
Year 9

Exploration of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello'

I can identify a variety of evidence to explore the theme of jealousy in ‘Othello’ and how it contributes to Othello's downfall.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Shakespeare argues that jealousy doesn't occur in isolation but is a product of the flaws of society.
  2. Male dominance and pride permeates most of the jealousy in the play.
  3. You could argue that Othello’s downfall is not caused by jealousy alone.

Common misconception

Only Othello feels jealousy in the play.

Many other characters feel jealousy and it is a driving force for lots of the action in the play.

Keywords

  • Cuckolded - When a man’s wife has been unfaithful, he has been ‘cuckolded’.

  • Chaste - To be chaste can mean not having any sexual desire or intentions.

  • Catalyses - To catalyse means to cause something to happen.

  • Contest - To contest means to debate or oppose.

  • Emasculation - The process of making a man feel less male by taking away his power and confidence.

Explore modern day attitudes towards jealousy to help contextualise this emotion for pupils.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the below could be seen as examples of jealousy?
Correct answer: feeling resentful that one's partner is attracted to someone else
Correct answer: feeling resentful of someone's achievements that you lack
feeling sad about your personal circumstances
having control over someone
Q2.
How is Iago jealous in 'Othello'?
Correct answer: he resents Cassio's promotion
he resents Brabantio having a daughter
Correct answer: he resents Othello supposedly sleeping with his wife, Emilia
Q3.
Jacobean women were expected to be ...
Correct answer: chaste.
Correct answer: obedient.
out-spoken.
bold.
devious.
Q4.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how is Othello a victim of the society he lives in?
he is rejected by the woman he loves due to being an outsider
Correct answer: he is subject to prejudice because of his status as outsider
he cannot work in a high rank because of his status as an outsider
Q5.
In 'Othello', how is Othello's jealousy shown to be all-consuming and how could its effect be linked to pride?
he kills Cassio as Cassio publicly humiliates him
Correct answer: he kills Desdemona as her infidelity threatens his male dominance
he kills Iago as his scheming ruins his reputation
Q6.
How are the patriarchy and jealousy linked in 'Othello'?
Correct answer: jealousy is most significant and detrimental to male characters
jealousy is mostly felt by the female characters
men are jealous of women's position of little responsibility

6 Questions

Q1.
In the play 'Othello', which character's jealousy precedes Othello's jealousy?
Correct answer: Iago
Cassio
Desdemona
Q2.
What is a societal root of Iago's jealousy about Cassio's promotion in 'Othello'?
female chastity
Correct answer: male pride and dominance
insular society
Q3.
Why is Desdemona and Emilia's supposed infidelity so alarming to Iago and Othello in the play 'Othello'?
both women swore they would never be unfaithful, they go against their promises
Correct answer: women were expected to be chaste, being unfaithful breaks this expectation
Correct answer: women were expected to be obedient, being unfaithful subverts this expectation
both women operate in secrecy to charm the men that their husbands hate
Q4.
In the play 'Othello', how does Desdemona's supposed infidelity put Othello in a vulnerable situation?
Correct answer: being cuckolded was associated with emasculation, humiliation and loss of honour
he loses his fortune that is tied up with her family
he will be exiled from Venice if they divorce
he will lose his position as general
Q5.
How could Othello's outsider status be linked to his downfall, over his jealousy in the play 'Othello'?
his outsider status leads Desdemona to reject him
Correct answer: his outsider status leads him to insecurity and jealousy
his outsider status leads him to let Cassio woo his wife
Q6.
What could Shakespeare's message be when it comes to jealousy in 'Othello'?
jealousy will kill you
Correct answer: jealousy does not operate in isolation, societal factors catalyse jealousy
jealousy only occurs in men