Othello Act 1 siii

• Engels
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Lesson objectives 

Which is more important - the personal or the national? 

Answer these questions in your exercise book: 

1. Which should we prioritise?
2. Which is more worth fighting for?
3. Which one should be sacrificed first?
   

Study 1.3 from the beginning up to line 75

Note how the Duke turns his attentions first toward “Valiant Othello” 1.2.l.48

Only after does he greet Brabantio, “I did not see you”.

Othello is trusted by the Duke and the council to lead the army successfully in war against the Turks.

The Duke’s allegiances lie with a Moor, an outsider, rather than with one of his own countrymen.

Question: Q: what might this suggest about how we should view the character of Othello?

Brabantio demands his colleagues help him!

An awkward moment. Brabantio a, supposedly,  important senator has not been invited to this war council meeting, and now he bursts in and demands his colleagues’ help with a personal matter. 

Notice how this characterises Brabantio in comparison to Othello 

Othello defends himself – read to line 300 and watch

Examine the language used closely

Why does Othello tell Desdemona these fantastical stories?

Why does Desdemona wish to hear about them so much?

Is this a good basis for a relationship?

https://www.rsc.org.uk/othello/past-productions/iqbal-khan-2015-production/production-and-rehearsal-photos#&gid=1&pid=11

Summarise, in your exercise book the story of Othello and Desdemona's courtship. 

Digital Theatre plus log in 

Username: student_708 

Password: 

excitement@7978 

Note the username and password

Watch and read Act 1 Macbeth. 

Women in the early 17th C 

You’re probably thinking that women in the past were:

• Downtrodden
  
• Powerless and voiceless
  
• Without any sexual desires
  
• Married off (extremely young) against their will
  
• Timid and frightened
  
• Devoid of free will and lacked authority
  

Women in the early 17th C 

You’re probably thinking that women in the past were:

• Downtrodden
  
• Powerless and voiceless
  
• Without any sexual desires
  
• Married off (extremely young) against their will
  
• Timid and frightened
  
• Devoid of free will and lacked authority
  

Pros and Cons of being a Jacobean woman ... 

Pros and Cons of being a Jacobean woman ... 

Lesson objectives 

Desdemona and the position of women in Venice 

Are they really in love? 

Iago's plan 

Cyprus and Cassio 

What would Desdemona gain and lose from marrying Othello 

Using your notes on pros and cons of being a Jacobean woman, consider what Desdemona gains and loses from her marriage

Consider social position, the status of any future children, his status within Venice etc. 

Write your thoughts in your exercise book

https://www.rsc.org.uk/othello/past-productions/iqbal-khan-2015-production/production-and-rehearsal-photos#&gid=1&pid=11

In Act IV, Emilia remarks that Desdemona “forsook so many noble matches, her father and her country, all her friends” to marry Othello

Desdemona justifies herself too 

1.2.179

Answer in your exercise book: 

1. Is this a good argument?

2. What impression does this speech give us of her character? Remember, this is the very first thing she ever says in the play…

3. How would Shakespeare’s audience have reacted to a woman choosing a foreign husband and teaching him how to win her heart?

Possible ideas ...

• Desdemona can be seen as a victim of a distant father and an emotionally immature soldier.
  
• Or a decisive, independent minded woman who is active in pursuing her romantic goals. 
  
• Or a cunning and manipulative daughter, determined to break away from a suffocating father by marrying the most outrageous choice of husband
  
• Or another idea ... 

Are they really in love? 

Does Desdemona love Othello because ...

• of the places he has been and the stories?
  
• of the image of the valiant General? 
  
• she doing it  just to spite an overbearing father?
  

Does Othello love Desdemona because...

• she pities him for all he has endured in his life? 
  
• her adoration feeds his ego?
  
• Othello’s story, although beautiful, suggests that his relationship with Desdemona may not be based on the most solid reasoning.
  

Critical views of Desdemona - ideas expressed

"Desdemona shows admiral independence and spirit in marrying Othello" 

"Desdemona is deceptive and shows appalling disloyalty to her father and culture by marrying Othello" 

Referring to the text, find support for both of these critical ideas. 

Iago's plan 

1. What excuse does Iago tell us is his motivation? Is this the same excuse as before?

2. “Monstrous birth” – Iago knows his idea is evil, and he doesn't care. Is he morally culpable? He clearly does not function under the same morals as everyone else…

3. Does trusting someone make us more gullible? Less likely to suspect our friends?

4. What is the plan? 

Culpable = deserving blame 

The military = the domestic 

Shakespeare juxtaposes the struggles of the domestic sphere and the political sphere, two seemingly distant worlds that have much in common.

Although the war will be over soon, there are key issues raised by the war that permeate the whole play:

whom to trust

overt tactics and covert ambushes

strategy and alliances

what seems and what is