New
New
Year 9

Written analysis of Othello in Act 1, Scene 3

I can write a detailed paragraph of analysis about Othello in Act 1, Scene 3.

New
New
Year 9

Written analysis of Othello in Act 1, Scene 3

I can write a detailed paragraph of analysis about Othello in Act 1, Scene 3.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Evaluative adjectives should be used in topic sentences, not devices.
  2. A participle phrase can be added to a topic sentence to comment on the writer's purpose or links to context.
  3. You could outline the moment in the plot, before quoting.
  4. Use multiple linking quotations, exploring language connotations and devices.

Keywords

  • Esteemed - Held in great respect or admired.

  • Modest - Having a moderate estimate of one’s merits or importance.

  • Eloquent - Fluent, clear or persuasive in speech.

  • Blank verse - Poetry written in unrhymed but metered lines, usually in iambic pentameter.

Common misconception

Topic sentences are not worth spending much time on, the discussion of techniques is more important.

To make a paragraph even more effective, a topic sentence can be elevated in many ways to make writing clear and specific with a firm voice.

Show pupil work on the visualiser from previous units, where perhaps the points could have been made stronger. Compare it to the topic sentences they create in this lesson.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What happens in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' between Othello and Brabantio?
Brabantio attacks Othello.
Correct answer: Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft upon his daughter.
Brabantio forces Othello to separate from Desdemona.
Q2.
In Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello', how does Othello react to Brabantio's accusations that Othello has used witchcraft on Desdemona?
angrily
Correct answer: calmly
violently
Q3.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how did Desdemona and Othello fall in love according to Othello?
Desdemona saw Othello on the battlefield and thought he was strong.
Correct answer: Othello told Desdemona his war stories and she pitied him.
They were good friends and realised they had a romantic connection.
Q4.
How do you know Othello is eloquent from Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
Correct answer: he manages to convince the Duke of his love story
he isn't bitter towards Brabantio
he is called 'valiant'
Q5.
What is interesting about Iago and Brabantio’s perception of Othello and Othello’s presentation in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
Correct answer: Iago and Brabantio have very negative opinions of Othello which are proven wrong
Iago and Brabantio have very positive opinions of Othello which are proven right
Iago and Brabantio have very negative opinions of Othello which are proven right
Q6.
After Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello', why might Othello’s impending downfall be all the more tragic?
his hamartia is obvious in Act 1 Scene 3
Iago manipulates him in Act 1 Scene 3
Correct answer: he comes across as likeable and the audience begin to sympathise with him here

6 Questions

Q1.
Which sentence uses a participle phrase correctly?
Correct answer: Shakespeare, clearly trying to prove Othello's nobility, reveals his eloquence.
Shakespeare shows Iago's misplaced beliefs.
Shakespeare presents Othello as honourable.
Q2.
What is the most effective way to introduce a quote in a paragraph?
''This is shown when it says...''
Correct answer: embed the quote and discuss the moment in the play that it occurs
''For example...''
Q3.
How does Othello speak in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'? What reveals his eloquence?
rhyming couplets
Correct answer: blank verse
prose
Q4.
What is true of using quotes in a paragraph?
one quote per paragraph is enough
Correct answer: you should use multiple linking quotes throughout the paragraph
your quote can only be used if you are performing single word analysis
Q5.
What quote proves Othello is modest in 'Othello'?
Correct answer: ‘’Rude…in…speech, And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace’’
''devoured my discourse''
“send for the lady …and let her speak of me before her father”
Q6.
Why might Othello be so modest as a character in Shakespeare's 'Othello'?
Correct answer: He may be aware of Venetian prejudice against people of colour.
Desdemona only married him for money.
He has lost many battles at war despite being a general.