Year 9 - English
Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello'
'Othello'
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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 structure a conceptual argument about the theme of appearances and reality in 'Othello'.
Key Notes
- Critically evaluative thesis statements can be developed using 'whilst', 'not only' and 'crucially'.
- Thesis statements should address the writer's purpose or message, in relation to the question focus.
- Topic sentences should contain evaluative adjectives and phrases to communicate an interpretation - not devices.
- Topic sentences should develop in a sequence, to maintain focus on the argument.
Vocabulary To Learn
- deceit: the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true
- perception: the ability to hear, see or become aware of something
- contemptible: unworthy of respect
- topic sentence: the first sentence of a paragraph; it states the paragraph's main idea
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- As long as you have planned the argument of your essay, you are ready to write it.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Critically evaluative thesis statements can be developed using 'whilst', 'not only' and 'crucially'. Thesis statements should address the writer's purpose or message, in relation to the question focus.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'deceit'
the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: As long as you have planned the argument of your essay, you are ready to write it. Correction: Planning topic sentences to go with your argument is also important to ensure that your essay is focused on proving the argument.
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 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 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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