Year 9 - English
Exploring Act 1, Scene 1 of 'Othello'
'Othello'
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils explore Shakespeare's 'Othello'. They start by learning about Aristotelian tragedy and how Shakespeare adapted it. They read long extracts from across the play, and consider the presentation of Othello, Iago and Desdemona. Finally, they look at key themes, such as jealousy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explore how an audience might respond to the character of Iago in the opening scene.
Key Notes
- Iago is an agent of disorder - his motive is less important than the impact of his actions on the tragic hero.
- Iago might be described as a malcontent.
- Iago's diabolical nature is established in the line "I am not what I am", reflecting reversal and disorder.
- Iago causes disorder in the mind of Brabantio, by revealing his daughter's deceit.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Elope: Run away secretly to get married.
- Malcontent: A person who is dissatisfied and complaining.
- Visage: A visage is a person's face or an image of something.
- Bigot: A bigot is someone prejudiced and/or antagonistic against a particular group.
- Diabolical: Suggestive of the devil.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Shakespearean tragic heroes are often nobility who command respect from all before their fall.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Iago is an agent of disorder - his motive is less important than the impact of his actions on the tragic hero. Iago might be described as a malcontent.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Elope'
Run away secretly to get married.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Shakespearean tragic heroes are often nobility who command respect from all before their fall. Correction: Othello, the tragic hero, is not respected by Iago and Roderigo because of his race.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'Othello' and Aristotle's conventions of tragedy Study Guide
- 'Othello' and Shakespeare's conventions of tragedy Study Guide
- Analysing and writing about Iago from 'Othello' Study Guide
- Analysing Iago's soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 3 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Analysis of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Constructing an argument about Othello as a tragic hero Study Guide
- Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploration of the theme of jealousy in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploration of the theme of race in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Act 2, Scene 1 of Othello Study Guide
- Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Act 4 Scene 1 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Act 5, Scene 2 of 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Iago from 'Othello' as a Machiavellian villain Study Guide
- Exploring motifs in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Exploring Othello as a tragic hero Study Guide
- Exploring the characterisation of Desdemona in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Introduction to 'Othello' and plot exploration Study Guide
- Linking moments and quotations in 'Othello' Study Guide
- Using context effectively to discuss 'Othello' Study Guide
- Written analysis of Othello in Act 1, Scene 3 Study Guide
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