Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration
I can understand the plot and context of ‘Othello’.
Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration
I can understand the plot and context of ‘Othello’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Iago is angry that he has been passed over for promotion, so pretends to love Othello whist plotting his downfall
- Iago tells Desdemona's father about her secret marriage to Othello which causes trouble but she defends her love for him
- Iago preys on Othello’s insecurity by planting Desdemona’s handkerchief – false proof of her betrayal - in Cassio’s room
- Iago manipulates Othello to the point where he murders his wife, as punishment for her supposed unfaithfulness
- Race and gender are key contextual ideas to consider in the play
Keywords
Protagonist - A protagonist is the main character in a play.
Inciting incident - The inciting incident is an event that acts as the catalyst for the protagonist’s changing fate.
Resolution - The resolution is the end of the story where the problem is solved.
Catalyst - A catalyst is something that causes something else to happen.
Moorish - Moorish people were the North African people that ruled Spain from 711 to 1492.
Common misconception
We would react the same way towards the characters and events as would the Jacobean audience.
Explain that societal beliefs were different in the 1600s so a Jacobean audience would likely react differently to the events and characters
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
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).
Lesson video
Loading...