Year 9 - English
Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 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 Othello's character is established in Act 1, Scene 3.
Key Notes
- Epithets are used to establish how characters are perceived by one another and society.
- Othello is established as calm, powerful and eloquent, which makes his later disturbance all the more shocking.
- Visually, Othello is an outsider but morally he embodies all that would be seen as respectable, chivalrous and moral.
- Othello's honourable speech contrasts the way in which Iago presented him as boastful.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Epithet: A phrase expressing an attribute considered characteristic of the person being described.
- Honourable: Bringing or deserving respect.
- Valiant: Possessing courage and determination.
- Eloquent: Fluent or persuasive in speech.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Othello will live up to others' expectations and opinions of him.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Epithets are used to establish how characters are perceived by one another and society. Othello is established as calm, powerful and eloquent, which makes his later disturbance all the more shocking.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Epithet'
A phrase expressing an attribute considered characteristic of the person being described.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Othello will live up to others' expectations and opinions of him. Correction: Othello is completely different to other's perceptions of him. Indeed, he must be worthy of sympathy if he is to be a tragic hero.
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 1 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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