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Year 9 - English

Using context effectively to discuss '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 integrate context skilfully into your written analysis on 'Othello'.

Key Notes

  • Context refers to the historical, social, literary and biographical.
  • Context should not be presented as isolated facts or generalisations.
  • Context should be relevant to the analysis and embedded in the response.
  • Context should develop your ideas and give an insight into the writer's purpose and intention.
  • Context can be used to analyse specific word choices or images, considering historic connotations or social importance.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • tragedy: a play dealing with the downfall of a central character
  • Great Chain of Being: a hierarchy for all living things that Jacobean people believed in
  • Jacobean: the era in which King James I was on the throne
  • embedded: incorporated deeply inside of a larger thing e.g. context embedded into a paragraph
  • Rennaisance: a cultural, artistic movement covering the 14th to 17th centuries

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Context just needs to be included in a response to make it effective.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Context refers to the historical, social, literary and biographical. Context should not be presented as isolated facts or generalisations.

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

a play dealing with the downfall of a central character.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Context just needs to be included in a response to make it effective. Correction: Context must not only be included but carefully considered, adapted and moulded to the point you are trying to make.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 English guide library.