Othello 5 - Honour and Reputation
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Lesson duration is: 60 minIntroduction
Welcome to this lesson on honour and reputatation in Othello. Continuing the near future theme, this one has a mixture of mind maps, open questions and drag and drop.....with an additional emphasis on extended writing. There is also an activity on critical opinion. Feel free to customise these interactive slides for your own learners!
Instructions
More detailed instructions can be found on the notes on each slide.
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
Hello and welcome to this interactive lesson on Othello - Honour and reputation!
If you've used the other lessons the near future theme continues!
This lesson's latter section shifts focus to essay writing. Again the assumption is that the class is familiar with the characters and events from the play.
Feel free to adjust these sections to your own specifcation!
I hope you and your learners enjoy this lesson.
Slide 2 - Slide
The learning objectives page! Classic. With added graphics!
Please adjust these to your own requirements if necessary!
Can you think of any historical figures or celebrities who may have experienced changes to their reputation?
Slide 3 - Open question
A simple starter - if you are concerned about the figures that learners could name and the issues that may expose please use the next activity as a starter instead!
Slide 4 - Drag question
A drag and drop exercise focusing on the default reputations of each character.
Slide 5 - Slide
Group work organiser with additional prompts in the hotspots.
You can use the spinner for group feedback. You can decide which form you want this feedback in.
What is Othello's reputation at the start of the play?
What is Othello's reputation at the start of the play?
Slide 6 - Mind map
A series of mind maps on different characters (but not all - feel free to create more slides for other characters if you wish!)
What is Othello's reputation at the end of the play?
What is Othello's reputation at the end of the play?
Slide 7 - Mind map
A series of mind maps on different characters (but not all - feel free to create more slides for other characters if you wish!)
Find quotations from the play that show evidence of Othello's changing reputation.
timer
5:00
Slide 8 - Open question
The timer is optional here - your learners can collect a range of quotations here. This is actually a big task you may want to put students in groups or at least pairs for. The timer can be adjusted for more time if needed.
What is Iago's reputation at the start of the play?
What is Iago's reputation at the start of the play?
Slide 9 - Mind map
Another mind map, this time on Iago.
What is Iago's reputation at the end of the play?
What is Iago's reputation at the end of the play?
Slide 10 - Mind map
This is potentially a very interesting discussion. Shakespeare makes it clear how the audience should perceive Iago from the beginning of the play. It's the characters inside the play who shift perceptions of him (though Emilia gets there first!)
Find quotations from the play that show evidence of Iago's changing reputation.
timer
5:00
Slide 11 - Open question
This open question opens out from the two mind maps prior to this slide.
Othello's changing perception of Desdemona
ACT 1 AND 2
Slide 12 - Mind map
For Desdemona the focus is to find quotations about Desdemona across the different acts. You could instead have learners contribute thoughts on this in their own words.
Othello's changing perception of Desdemona
ACTS 3 AND 4
Slide 13 - Mind map
For Desdemona the focus is to find quotations about Desdemona across the different acts. You could instead have learners contribute thoughts on this in their own words.
Othello's changing perception of Desdemona
ACT 5
Slide 14 - Mind map
For Desdemona the focus is to find quotations about Desdemona across the different acts. You could instead have learners contribute thoughts on this in their own words.
Othello: “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty.”
Cassio: “I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.”
Iago (about himself!): “I am not what I am.”
To what extent does Iago's manipulation rely on his perception of being "honest Iago"?
Slide 15 - Open question
You could specify this as a full PEEL answer.
Alternatively structure this as a debate and use the open question to log student perception after the debate.
Which character is most obsessed with honour? Be prepared to explain your choice!
Slide 16 - Poll
A poll activity that can generate discussion.
How important is the concept of honour and reputation in the play? Is it just an illusion? Be prepared to support your position.
It's very important
It's just an illusion
It's a mixture
Slide 17 - Poll
Again use this poll to spark discussion.
Slide 18 - Slide
And here is the slide you can use to manaage that discussion.
Slide 19 - Slide
The hotspots are moveable and can be shared with students or teacher led. There is a randomiser to get students to explain their placements here.
There is also an extension task under 'futher instructions'.
“My services which I have done the signiory / Shall out-tongue his complaints.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
Othello’s Honour as a General & His Noble Reputation
Slide 20 - Open question
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
“But that I love the gentle Desdemona, / I would not my unhoused free condition / Put into circumscription and confine / For the sea’s worth.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
Honour & His Trust in Desdemona
Slide 21 - Open question
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
“Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
The Breakdown of Honour and Trust
Slide 22 - Open question
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
The pursuit of honour and reputation ultimately leads to Othello's downfall.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Slide 23 - Poll
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
Othello's tragedy is a result of societal pressures on maintaining honour and reputation.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Slide 24 - Poll
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
Desdemona's fate is sealed by the value placed on honour and reputation in the play.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Slide 25 - Poll
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
The characters' obsession with honour and reputation blinds them to the truth, causing the tragic events.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Slide 26 - Poll
Open question - there is an option to write by hand and upload a photo response here too.
The instructions for the task are withing the hotspot.
Slide 27 - Slide
This slide sets up the essay type question. You can edit this to suit your specification.
Instructions are in the hotspot.
In Othello, reputation is a fragile illusion rather than a true reflection of a character’s worth.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
Write an introduction to this essay
timer
5:00
Slide 28 - Open question
The essay type writing tasks are broken up into stages here.
I have put extra guidance in the learners can request.
In Othello, reputation is a fragile illusion rather than a true reflection of a character’s worth.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
What would be your main points in this essay?
Slide 29 - Mind map
With this mind map you could choose the best ones and form there the class could use those going forward.
Completely up to you!
In Othello, reputation is a fragile illusion rather than a true reflection of a character’s worth.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
Find suitable quotations you could use in this essay.
Slide 30 - Mind map
Collecting good quotations for the essay here.
It might be linked to the ones you selected in the last slide, if that suits you!
In Othello, reputation is a fragile illusion rather than a true reflection of a character’s worth.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
Write a main body paragraph.
timer
5:00
Slide 31 - Open question
Extra guidancer available as before.
Ask about anything you aren't sure of yet.
Slide 32 - Open question
This is phase 1 of the plenary.
How confident do you feel discussing honour and reputation in Othello?
Slide 33 - Poll
Feedback polls linked to the learning objectives.
Thank you and hope you enjoyed this lesson!
