Assignments for Othello

Spring 2011

1. Read the play.

Due Date Act

1/25I

1/27II

2/1III

2/7IV

2/11V

2. Journal Assignments

For each act of Othello, discuss in a well-written, organized journal each question below.

Be sure to support your points with lines from the play (documented correctly). Each journal should be 2 pages typed, double-spaced.

Act

  1. Discuss initial impressions of Othello and Iago (based on what they say and do, as well as others’ impressions of them).
  1. The opening scene of Act 2 is dominated by the severe storm threatening the shores of Cyprus. However, in the Italian story by Giraldi Cinthio (from which Shakespeare took the basic idea for his play) the main characters sail to Cyprus on “a sea of the utmost tranquility”. Discuss Shakespeare’s dramatic use of the storm, carefully considering all that has gone on in Act 2.
  1. Traceexactly how in this act Iago insidiously leads Othello from being a man completely in control of himself to one verging on insanity by the end of scene 4.
  1. Note how in this act Othello uses increasingly crude and abusive language toward Desdemona. What does this reveal about their relationship as well as individual characters?
  1. Discuss key instances of irony in this act and how they contribute to the overall effect of the act.

3. Roundtable Discussion—Themes, literary features--TBA

4. Performance Project*

Group/

Activity IndividualExplanation

Film Trailer / G / Imagine a new film version of Othello is about to be launched. Create a “trailer” to publicize the film, consisting of voice-over, advertising hype, and a selection of short clips from the film. Produce this trailer and prepare to show it to the class.
Scene Performance / G / Rewrite a key scene from Othello using modern English and perform it (with props, dramatic tone, etc.) for the class. You may select a modern context, if you like. See me to select the scene.
3-Minute Act / G / You are going to produce a three-minute version of your assigned act, only using words from the play itself; this is NOT a rewrite of the language (as in #3 above). You will perform your version using props and dramatic tone.
Adaptation—A happy ending / G/I / In the eighteenth century it was popular to rewrite certain of Shakespeare’s tragedies in order to give them a happy ending. You are stage adapters and have been asked to give Othello a happy ending. How will you do it? Rewrite the end of the play and present this new ending to the class.
Shocking expose for the
National Enquirer / I / Amazingly, Roderigo is not dead after all (5.2.323-4)! Ten years later, Roderigo tells his story…
Be prepared to deliver this account to the class (as Roderigo); you will assume his persona and deliver the “truth” dramatically.

*Much of this project will be completed outside of class. Be sure to select group members with whom you can meet outside of school.

5. In-class writing