The Significance of Language on Plot Development

Othello in Three Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC-f0drvdmM

Language and the Plot

How does language shape the tragedy of Othello?

Is Shakespeare commenting on how our words can affect others?

The Title

Titles give insight to the audience/reader of the story.

How does the title of Othello give us insight to the plot?

What is a Moor?

Title cont…

Moor- a person of mixed Arab and Berber decent.

In Othello’s case he is described as the ‘black moor’

How would Othello’s being a Moor affect the plot? (Have students answer before moving to next slide)

Title cont…

Significance of Moor: A latent insecurity present in Othello

because of his skin color Easier for Iago manipulate Othello

Connection to the 21st century: If our insecurities our known it makes it

easier for others to work off of them for benefit.

Is Shakespeare giving his audience a message about our insecurities?

Take 5 minutes to respond to this question.

Language and Literary Techniques

Shakespeare is a master of language.

We will focus on two main techniques:1. Desdemona’s song2. Imagery (especially in Iago’s lines)

Desdemona’s Song: 4.3“The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing all a green willow; Her hand on her bosom, her head on her

knee, The fresh streams ran by her and murmured

her moans; Sing willow, willow, willow; Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the

stones”Lay be these. “Sing willow, willow, willow-”Prithee, hie thee. He’ll come anon “Sing all a green willow must be my

garland Let nobody blame; his scorn I approve.”

Song cont…

“I called my love false love; but what said he then?

Sing willow, willow, willow; If I court more women, you’ll couch

with more men” (Shakespeare, 1192).

*“softened the stones” refers to Othello’s heart

*(Shakespeare, 1192) MLA format for citation in papers.

Song cont…

Willow is repeated throughout the song. How could willow be a form of imagery to bring sympathy to the audience?

Why did Shakespeare use a song at this point with Desdemona? How would a song affect the audience? Clip from the 1995 film versions of Othello

starting Laurence Fishburne and Irene Jacob http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=4mlOCcp-a7s

Song cont…

How did seeing the song performed affect you?

So based on how you reacted to seeing the song performed why would Shakespeare include a song? Increase sympathy for Desdemona. Allows audience to see her innocence

and purity even as Othello is about to murder her.

Make the scene more tragic and thus has a greater affect on the audience.

Iago and Imagery: Analysis Act 2.1 “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; For I mine own gained knowledge

should profane

If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit.” Analysis:

“My fool my purse” “My sport and profit”

Act 2.1 cont…

“After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear

That he is too familiar with his wife.

He hath a person and a smooth dispose

To be suspected, framed to make women

false.

The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,

And will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are.

I have’t. It is engendered. Hell and night

Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”

Act 2.1 cont…

Anaylsis: “Abuse Othello’s ear” “That thinks men honest that but seem

to be so” “As tenderly led by the nose as assess

are.” “It is engendered.” Hell and night must bring this monstrous

birth to the world’s light.”

In Class Assignment

Number off by 3’s Take 15 minutes to analyze the

handout your group receives.1. Look at the imagery on your handout2. The specific ways Iago manipulates

Othello to become suspicious and jealous.

You will present your analysis to the class.

What If Project

Groups of five For class on Monday your group will

create a “What if?” video with an alternate ending to Othello. What if….

Othello didn’t believe Iago? Didn’t kill Desdemona? Didn’t act on his jealousy?

BE CREATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

What If Project

Along with your video each of you will write a 2-3 page essay which explains why your video ending did not come to be.

You will need to use textual support (quotations and paraphrasing) in proper MLA citation.

Include a bibliography

Bibliography for Today’s LessonGuralnik B. David, and Joseph, Friend H. Webster's New World

Dictionary. College ed. 1957. Print.

Parker, Oliver. Othello. Video. 1995. Web. 24 April 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mlOCcp-a7s

The Reduced Shakespeare Company. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged: Othello Rap. Video. You Tube. 24 July 2006. Web. 24 April 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC-f0drvdmM

Shakespeare, William. Othello, the Moor of Venice. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Ed. David Bevington. Sixth ed. New York: Pearson, 2009. 1150-200. Print.