Year 9 - English
Exploring Iago from 'Othello' as a Machiavellian villain
'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 evaluate Iago's presentation as a Machiavellian villain.
Key Notes
- Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince' proposes that in order to get and maintain power you have to be prepared to be evil.
- A Machiavellian villain is scheming and operates in secrecy.
- A Machiavellian villain is a 'puppet master', manipulating and using others as tools.
- Iago reveals his commitment to knavery, through his soliloquies.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Machiavellian: Describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.
- Soliloquy: An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud by oneself.
- Knavery: A deceitful or dishonest act.
- Treachery: Betrayal of trust.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Iago is simply a villain - unkind and evil.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince' proposes that in order to get and maintain power you have to be prepared to be evil. A Machiavellian villain is scheming and operates in secrecy.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Machiavellian'
Describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Iago is simply a villain - unkind and evil. Correction: Iago's character as a villain can be looked at through different lenses. One is Machiavellian.
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 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 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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