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Year 9 - English

Exploring motifs in '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 identify and analyse the motifs in the play 'Othello'.

Key Notes

  • Motif analysis should address both the overall purpose of the motif and the meaning of individual examples.
  • The motif of plants and gardening surrounds Iago, suggesting that he is in control.
  • Many of Iago's quotes about plants are focused on poison, suggesting that he taints those around him.
  • The motif of animals and light and dark allows racist stereotypes to be exposed and subverted, respectively.
  • The motif of demons, hell and monsters is concerned with characters' morality.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • motif: recurring images that help to develop the story's theme
  • taint: contaminate or pollute something
  • primal: relating to an early stage in development
  • permeate: spread through something and be present in every part of it

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Motifs and symbols are the same.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Motif analysis should address both the overall purpose of the motif and the meaning of individual examples. The motif of plants and gardening surrounds Iago, suggesting that he is in control.

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

recurring images that help to develop the story's theme.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Motifs and symbols are the same. Correction: A motif is a recurring image whereas a symbol is one thing that represents something else.

More Lessons In This Unit

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