Year 9 - English
Exploration of the theme of appearances and reality in '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 confidently explore the theme of appearance vs reality in 'Othello'.
Key Notes
- Iago's deceit is delivered by manipulation of perception.
- Iago defines his role as deceiver in Act 1, Scene 1: 'I am not what I am'.
- The language of the play refers to dreams, trances and visions to explore the unreliability of reality.
- Iago performs a role of a director, addressing audience and staging scenes, suggesting how reality can be manipulated.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Deceit: the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true
- Treacherous: involving deception or betrayal
- Conceal: prevent something from being seen
- Aside: a remark intended to be heard by the audience but not other characters
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Appearance vs. reality is only shown through Othello believing his wife is unfaithful.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Iago's deceit is delivered by manipulation of perception. Iago defines his role as deceiver in Act 1, Scene 1: 'I am not what I am'.
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: Appearance vs. reality is only shown through Othello believing his wife is unfaithful. Correction: There are many moments in the play in which appearance and reality are manipulated.
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 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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