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Year 9 - English

Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of 'Othello'

'Othello'

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 the theme of temptation in Act 3, Scene 3.

Key Notes

  • Act 3, Scene 3 can be seen as the moment of peripeteia in the tragedy.
  • The fragmented structure of the scene highlights the increasingly disordered nature of the play.
  • The symbolic setting of the garden alludes to the biblical temptation in that it mirrors Iago's satanic role.
  • Dramatic irony heightens the tension in Act 3, Scene 3.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Peripeteia: a pivotal action that changes the protagonist's fate from secure to vulnerable
  • Symbolic setting: a setting that symbolises a key idea or theme
  • Dramatic irony: a tragic technique in which the significance of a character's words are clear to the audience but unknown to the character

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Othello's downfall is solely due to his own faults.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Act 3, Scene 3 can be seen as the moment of peripeteia in the tragedy. The fragmented structure of the scene highlights the increasingly disordered nature of the play.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Peripeteia'

a pivotal action that changes the protagonist's fate from secure to vulnerable.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Othello's downfall is solely due to his own faults. Correction: Shakespeare carefully crafts Iago as someone who plays a huge role in Othello's downfall - acting like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 English guide library.