Othello FeedbackExplore the presentation of power in Shakespeare’s Othello.

Explore the presentation of the themes of envy and jealousy in Shakespeare’s Othello.

Positives and ImprovementsPositives:• Great knowledge of the

text• Incorporation of at least

one critic• Stuck to the question

really well for the majority• Appear to be able to find

evidence to back up ideas pretty well

Improvements:• Development of themes• How to use Critical

Anthology• Relation to Tragedy• Evaluating technique• Expanding on AO3 in a

meaningful way• Envy and jealousy are

different things• There are many different

types of power/lack there of

AO1• When discussing themes: expand idea so

that they are developed and specific• Buzz words: how, why, what?• Example: ‘Jealousy is presented

universally as it is seen to strike both man and woman no matter what race they may be..’ or ‘the desire for power is a motivational force…’

Develop your ideas as far as possible

Examples:• ‘This is further evidenced by…’• ‘This remains apparent when…’• ‘This is exemplified further when…’

AO2You need to discuss the authors choices when writing (authorial intention). Think about the impact of a certain word they have chosen and consider it’s relevance to your point.

For example: what does it say about Iago that he refers to Cassio as an ‘arithmetician’?

Be careful not to just go off on one about all of the techniques the author uses. You will only score highly for mechanical analysis if you are doing it in relevant manner.

Structure• Prose: written or spoken language in it’s ordinary form, without

metrical structure• Blank Verse: written with regular metrical but unrhymed lines,

almost always in iambic pentameter• Iambic Pentameter: describes the rhythm that the words

establish in a line. It is measured in small groups of syllables called ‘feet’. The word ‘iambic’ refers to the type of foot that is use in an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The word ‘pentameter’ indicated that a line has five of these ‘feet’

• OX OX OX OX OX

• FareWELL the TRANquil MIND, fareWELL conTENT (3.3.401)

Structure cont.• Important characters tend to use blank verse a lot, but less important ones never use it• It can show class, intelligence and feelings etc.• From his opening speeches it is clear that Othello’s character is dignified, he speak in

measured, unrhymed blank verse. This is appropriate, given his status in the play, it helps to establish his hero status

• This is why he’s often described as the most ‘poetic’ of Shakespeare’s heroes• Desdemona echoes his speeches, backing up everything Othello has told of his story.

This portrays Othello’s dominance, and an element of respect from Desdemona. Ambiguously, displays they are perfect for each other/well match, or pessimistically forcing this image of perfection

• Example: Othello begins to see himself and his wife through Iago’s eyes and is corrupted by Iago’s idiom, his stately style begins to break down.‘Lie with her, lie on her? We say lie on her,when they belie her! Lie with her, zounds!, that’sfulsome!’ (IV.1.35-41)

Structure Cont.• Each character in Othello has his/her own style of

language• Cassio’s speech is gallant and courtly – like a true

hero!• Emilia’s forward thinking, experience and down-to-

earth• Bianca at times is loving, playful but fiesty

• The different ‘voices’ and styles in Othello are an important part of the play’s power to hold and move the audience

Iago’s Language• Iago’s language is full of colloquialisms and oaths, befitting a soldier• The villain slips between prose and verse adapting his style to suit his

different audience and purposes• The blunt, persuasive and graphic prose of his exchanges with

Roderigo conveys Iago’s base nature, but the ensign also makes use of a loftier style

• This speech is an example of Iago’s power: he can manipulate hi style effortlessly depending on who he is speaking to

• Othello begins to use Iago’s base language and structure when he decides to revenge himself on Desdemona, showing his lack of judgment and Iago’s increasing authority over him.

• He also begins to eavesdrop something which helped Iago ‘use’ Cassio and Desdemona’s friendship in the first place

AO3• NEVER FORGET THE AUDIENCE – they are integral to the theatre

experience• Don’t overgeneralize. Black people did exist and whilst all people

were not racist towards them, many did have certain preconceptions

• Explain stereotypes before you discuss them• There was a queen on the throne, that’s why it’s called the

Elizabethan Era – Women could not be completely on dimensional

• Take a guess at what the author was trying to do. For example: show that envy can be so powerful, it is destructive

• THERE CAN BE MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE!!

AO5• Only use your quotes if they back up/refute your ideas. Try

not to base your ideas on what the critics say• People tended to do quite well when they had a bit of a battle

with the ‘motiveless malignancy’ in regards to both questions• Explain what the critic means in their quote before backing

up with your analysis. Make sure you still PEEE regardless, you can’t just substitute your analysis because you have remembered what someone else thinks

• Only use quotes that fit your argument –you’ll score more highly with one well placed quote that 3 that don’t particularly fit

CONTROL

• Focus on this the most from now• Learn to control your writing, even if this

means spending more exam time planning• Plan how you are going to develop your points

in order to make your response flow better• A more controlled response will gain more

marks

Future Practice QuestionsIn Othello Shakespeare explores the nature of social prejudice. Discuss.

Explore the idea that in Othello Shakespeare presents ‘women as victims of men’?