Act 1 Key Act 1 Key Events/Points/IdeasEvents/Points/Ideas

Othello’s character?Othello’s character?Attitudes to Othello and Attitudes to Othello and Desdemona’s marriage?Desdemona’s marriage?Iago's character?Iago's character?Iago’s plotting and Iago’s plotting and planning?planning?Turkish Invasion of Cyprus?Turkish Invasion of Cyprus?

Character Analysis?Character Analysis?

What does the character say/ do?What does the character say/ do? What do others say about the character?What do others say about the character? Relationships with other characters?Relationships with other characters? Themes linked to characters?Themes linked to characters?

Act 2 Key Events/ Ideas/ Act 2 Key Events/ Ideas/ PointsPoints

Act 2 Scene 1:Act 2 Scene 1: How is the storm described? (nature imagery)How is the storm described? (nature imagery) How is Othello depicted? By who? Is this significant?How is Othello depicted? By who? Is this significant? How is Cassio depicted? How does he refer to Othello How is Cassio depicted? How does he refer to Othello

and Desdemona? Is he a ladies’ man?and Desdemona? Is he a ladies’ man? Iago’s views on and treatment of women? Misogynist? Iago’s views on and treatment of women? Misogynist?

(His relationship with his wife, Emilia.)(His relationship with his wife, Emilia.) How is the appearance Vs reality theme presented in this How is the appearance Vs reality theme presented in this

scene? (Desdemona & Iago’s conversation) scene? (Desdemona & Iago’s conversation) How does Iago use rhetoric to influence Roderigo? How does Iago use rhetoric to influence Roderigo?

(Lines: 214-240)(Lines: 214-240) Iago is formulating his plan of revenge. What are the Iago is formulating his plan of revenge. What are the

key aspects?key aspects?

Act 2 Scene 2 Act 2 Scene 2

How is Othello presented?How is Othello presented?

Act 2 Scene 3Act 2 Scene 3 Compare & contrast Iago and Cassio’sCompare & contrast Iago and Cassio’s

references to Desdemona.references to Desdemona. What is Iago’s plan to show Cassio in a badWhat is Iago’s plan to show Cassio in a bad

light? Does it work? What image does he create?light? Does it work? What image does he create? How is Montano manipulated by Iago? WhatHow is Montano manipulated by Iago? What

are his views on Cassio?are his views on Cassio? How is the brawl interpreted/discussed by:How is the brawl interpreted/discussed by:

Othello, Iago & Montano?Othello, Iago & Montano? How does Cassio rely on Iago’s help?How does Cassio rely on Iago’s help? How is Desdemona and Othello’s relationship presented by Iago?How is Desdemona and Othello’s relationship presented by Iago? How does Iago take control of the situation? How does this advance How does Iago take control of the situation? How does this advance

his plotting/revenge?his plotting/revenge?

Act 3 Scene 1Act 3 Scene 1

Why does Cassio want to speak to Emilia? Why does Cassio want to speak to Emilia? What does Cassio think of Iago?What does Cassio think of Iago? Emilia reassures Cassio. What does sheEmilia reassures Cassio. What does she

say?say? Do you think Emilia is being sincere or is Do you think Emilia is being sincere or is

she complying with her husband’s wishes?she complying with her husband’s wishes?

(Act 3 Scene 2:Othello sends letters to Venice.)(Act 3 Scene 2:Othello sends letters to Venice.)

Key themes & contextsKey themes & contexts

JealousyJealousyCuckoldryCuckoldry

Machiavellian plottingMachiavellian plotting

VerisimilitudeVerisimilitudeLoyaltyLoyalty

IronyIrony

Act 3 Scene 3Act 3 Scene 3

What are Cassio’s fears?What are Cassio’s fears?How does Desdemona reassure How does Desdemona reassure

him?him?What do you think of Desdemona’s What do you think of Desdemona’s

tactics?tactics?Why is Iago’s statement, “Ha! I like Why is Iago’s statement, “Ha! I like

not that.” significant?not that.” significant?How does Desdemona approach How does Desdemona approach

Othello about Cassio?Othello about Cassio?

Act 3 scene 3 continued..Act 3 scene 3 continued..

Line 90. Othello says, “Excellent Line 90. Othello says, “Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul/ But I wretch! Perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee; and when I love thee do love thee; and when I love thee not,/ Chaos is come again.” Explain not,/ Chaos is come again.” Explain the significance of his words.the significance of his words.

How does Iago continue to sow the How does Iago continue to sow the seeds of doubt? Line 96.seeds of doubt? Line 96.

How does Othello react to Iago’s How does Othello react to Iago’s questions? Line 97 onwards.questions? Line 97 onwards.

Act 3 Scene 3 continued…Act 3 Scene 3 continued…

There are several examples of There are several examples of dramatic irony in the conversation dramatic irony in the conversation between Iago and Othello. Can you between Iago and Othello. Can you spot some examples and explain the spot some examples and explain the effect? effect?

Do you think Iago is gifted in the art Do you think Iago is gifted in the art of rhetoric? What techniques does of rhetoric? What techniques does he use to manipulate Othello?he use to manipulate Othello?

How are Othello’s emotions changing How are Othello’s emotions changing under Iago’s influence?under Iago’s influence?

Act 3 Scene 3 continued…Act 3 Scene 3 continued…

How is theme of JEALOUSY presented in How is theme of JEALOUSY presented in this scene?this scene?

Othello lines 179-194 attempts to shake Othello lines 179-194 attempts to shake off his doubts about Desdemona. How off his doubts about Desdemona. How does Iago continue to plant the idea of does Iago continue to plant the idea of deceit?deceit?

Line 246, Iago sets a key part of his plot in Line 246, Iago sets a key part of his plot in motion. What does he advise Othello to motion. What does he advise Othello to do? Is Othello naïve to follow Iago’s do? Is Othello naïve to follow Iago’s advice?advice?

Act 3 Scene 3 continued…Act 3 Scene 3 continued…

Line 260 onwards: What is Othello’s Line 260 onwards: What is Othello’s opinion of Iago? What does this tell you opinion of Iago? What does this tell you about Iago’s character/behaviour? What about Iago’s character/behaviour? What does Othello think of Desdemona?does Othello think of Desdemona?

Line 282: How is Othello’s character Line 282: How is Othello’s character changed since his conversation with changed since his conversation with Iago?Iago?

What is a cuckold?What is a cuckold?What is the significance of the What is the significance of the

napkin/handkerchief? napkin/handkerchief?

Act 3 Scene 3 continued…Act 3 Scene 3 continued…

How does Iago treat his wife, Emilia?How does Iago treat his wife, Emilia?Line 336: Othello says, “Thou hast set Line 336: Othello says, “Thou hast set

me on the rack./ I swear ‘tis better to be me on the rack./ I swear ‘tis better to be much abus’d/ Than but to know a little.” much abus’d/ Than but to know a little.” How is Othello’s character depicted?How is Othello’s character depicted?

What does Othello think he knows and What does Othello think he knows and how does this affect him? How would how does this affect him? How would you describe his state of mind?you describe his state of mind?

Act 3 Scene 3 continued…Act 3 Scene 3 continued…

What is Othello’s opinion of his wife?What is Othello’s opinion of his wife? What vile images does Iago suggest to What vile images does Iago suggest to

Othello?Othello? What job does Othello give Iago? How doesWhat job does Othello give Iago? How does this suit Iago’s plans?this suit Iago’s plans? Line 410 onwards: What are Iago’s Line 410 onwards: What are Iago’s

suggestions? How do Iago’s suggestions affect suggestions? How do Iago’s suggestions affect Othello?Othello?

Who is controlling who?Who is controlling who? How is Desdemona referred to by Othello? How is Desdemona referred to by Othello?

Act 3 Scene 4Act 3 Scene 4

Desdemona’s opinion of Othello at the Desdemona’s opinion of Othello at the opening of the scene?opening of the scene?

How would you describe Othello’s How would you describe Othello’s behavior towards Desdemona? How has behavior towards Desdemona? How has his character changed from earlier his character changed from earlier scenes?scenes?

Is Othello finding evidence for his doubts?Is Othello finding evidence for his doubts? Images of Desdemona’s sexuality?Images of Desdemona’s sexuality?The handkerchief?The handkerchief?Desdemona’s confusion?Desdemona’s confusion?

Act 4 Scene 1Act 4 Scene 1

What images does Iago conjure up for What images does Iago conjure up for Othello’s mind?Othello’s mind?

Iago continues to lie to Othello. What Iago continues to lie to Othello. What is his next ‘porkie’ regarding Cassio?is his next ‘porkie’ regarding Cassio?

How does Othello’s character react to How does Othello’s character react to the strain of Iago’s lies?the strain of Iago’s lies?

What rhetorical language does Iago What rhetorical language does Iago use on pages 92 – 93?use on pages 92 – 93?

Act 4 Scene 1 Continued...Act 4 Scene 1 Continued...

How does Cassio refer to Bianca? Is How does Cassio refer to Bianca? Is this athis a

different side to Cassio that we have different side to Cassio that we have notnot

seen before?seen before?The handkerchief?The handkerchief?Othello’s treatment of Desdemona?Othello’s treatment of Desdemona?

Act 4 Scene 2 Act 4 Scene 2

Othello questions Emilia and then Othello questions Emilia and then Desdemona, how do they react to his Desdemona, how do they react to his suspicions?suspicions?

How would you describe Othello’s mood How would you describe Othello’s mood and character in comparison to the start of and character in comparison to the start of the play?the play?

How does Iago react to Desdemona’s How does Iago react to Desdemona’s situation with Othello?situation with Othello?

What does Desdemona think of Iago?What does Desdemona think of Iago? How does Iago reassure Roderigo?How does Iago reassure Roderigo?

Act 4 Scene 3Act 4 Scene 3

Has Desdemona changed her Has Desdemona changed her feelings towards Othello?feelings towards Othello?

What is the significance of the willow What is the significance of the willow tree song?tree song?

What are Desdemona’s and Emilia’s What are Desdemona’s and Emilia’s opinions on adultery? What images opinions on adultery? What images of women are created?of women are created?

Act 5 Scene 1Act 5 Scene 1

What has Iago to gain from Cassio orWhat has Iago to gain from Cassio or

Roderigo’s death?Roderigo’s death?What does Othello mean on lines 31-What does Othello mean on lines 31-

36?36?What is the significance of the What is the significance of the

references to light and dark? references to light and dark? How does Iago ‘cover his tracks’ withHow does Iago ‘cover his tracks’ with

Bianca? Bianca?

Act 5 Scene 2Act 5 Scene 2

Discuss the images created in Discuss the images created in Othello’s opening speech.Othello’s opening speech.

How would you describe Othello’s How would you describe Othello’s behaviour to Desdemona?behaviour to Desdemona?

Does Desdemona defend herself? Does Desdemona defend herself? How does she appear?How does she appear?

How does Othello behave after the How does Othello behave after the murder?murder?

Act 5 Scene 2 continued…Act 5 Scene 2 continued…

How does Othello’s imagery contrast How does Othello’s imagery contrast with Emilia’s imagery of Desdemona?with Emilia’s imagery of Desdemona?

How does Iago defend himself?How does Iago defend himself?What do you think of Emilia’s What do you think of Emilia’s

behaviour towards her husband?behaviour towards her husband?What does Othello realise in the lines What does Othello realise in the lines

257-279?257-279?Pages 140 – 143, how does Othello Pages 140 – 143, how does Othello

appear? Lines: 334 - 352?appear? Lines: 334 - 352?

Imagery in Othello?Imagery in Othello?

A picture created in the mind’s eye throughA picture created in the mind’s eye throughlanguage…language…

PoisoningPoisoning Hell and the DevilHell and the Devil Animals and InsectsAnimals and Insects The Sea and Military HeroismThe Sea and Military Heroism Black and WhiteBlack and White CuckoldryCuckoldry

Themes in OthelloThemes in Othello

An idea/image that recurs throughout a story.An idea/image that recurs throughout a story.

JealousyJealousy Honesty/ Appearance Vs RealityHonesty/ Appearance Vs Reality Men and Women: Gender roles/ SexualityMen and Women: Gender roles/ Sexuality Race and ColourRace and Colour Ambition/ MachiavellianAmbition/ Machiavellian HeroismHeroism PowerPower ReligionReligion

Language & StructureLanguage & Structure

Blank VerseBlank Verse Specific Idioms for different charactersSpecific Idioms for different characters (The usage (The usage

or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people.)people.)

Poetic versePoetic verse Shared speech PatternsShared speech Patterns Dramatic StructureDramatic Structure IronyIrony RhetoricRhetoric The Timescale of OthelloThe Timescale of Othello