Introduction to Othello PDF

# Exploring Shakespearean Plays ## ELA 10 ### Work Plan * **Routines:** Attendance * **Discussion:** Introduction to Othello * **Wrap Up** ## Get to Know the Author **William Shakespeare** To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arro...

# Exploring Shakespearean Plays ## ELA 10 ### Work Plan * **Routines:** Attendance * **Discussion:** Introduction to Othello * **Wrap Up** ## Get to Know the Author **William Shakespeare** To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? * Who is he? * What are his other works? ## Let's Warm Up **Juliet, Act II, Scene II** O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love And I’ll no longer be a Capulet. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. * What are your first impressions of Juliet’s monologue? * What do you think the character is trying to express? ## William Shakespeare ### Who Was Shakespeare? William Shakespeare, often regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Over his lifetime, he wrote approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. ### Notable Works * **Tragedies:** *Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar* * **Comedies:** *A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing* * **Histories:** *Henry IV, Henry V, Richard III* ## Shakespearean Tragedy ### What is a Shakespearean Tragedy? A Shakespearean tragedy is a type of play written by William Shakespeare that tells the story of a protagonist who experiences a great fall or downfall due to a combination of personal flaws and external forces. These plays are marked by their serious tone, complex characters, and exploration of themes such as fate, ambition, and the human condition. ### Elements of Shakespearean Tragedy * Tragic Hero * Tragic Flaw * Supernatural * Conflict * Catharsis * Fate ## Shakespearean Tragedies William Shakespeare wrote a number of tragedies. These plays are characterized by their somber themes, complex characters, and tragic endings. Here is a list of Shakespeare’s tragedies: * Antony and Cleopatra * Julius Caesar * Romeo and Juliet * Coriolanus * King Lear * Timon of Athens * Cymbeline * Macbeth * Titus Andronicus * Hamlet * Othello * Troilus and Cressida ## Get to Know the Characters ## Introduction **Othello** "Othello" is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. Set in Venice and Cyprus, the play tells the story of the Moorish general Othello, who is manipulated by his ensign Iago into believing that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful. "Othello" explores themes of jealousy, race, love, and betrayal, and is considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest achievements. ## Plot Summary **Othello** The play opens in Venice, where Iago, a Venetian ensign, and Roderigo, a wealthy gentleman, are discussing their hatred for Othello, the Moorish general of the Venetian army. Iago reveals that he hates Othello because he has passed him over for promotion and instead appointed Cassio as his lieutenant. Iago hatches a plan to destroy Othello by making him believe that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful with Cassio. ## Othello: Summary ### Let's try to read the summary first. ### Check AWP for the PDF copy. ## How will it be graded? | CRITERIA | EXCELLENT (10 POINTS) | GOOD (7-9 POINTS) | SATISFACTORY (4-6 POINTS) | NEEDS IMPROVEMENT (1-3 POINTS) | |---|---|---|---|---| | UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAY | Thorough plot summary and comprehensive exploration of themes, supported by strong textual evidence. | Clear plot summary and good exploration of themes, supported by appropriate textual evidence. | Basic plot summary and limited exploration of themes; some textual evidence provided. | Incomplete or inaccurate plot summary; superficial exploration of themes. | | CHARACTER ANALYSIS | Insightful analysis of main characters with deep understanding, supported by specific examples and quotes. | Clear analysis of main characters with good understanding, supported by appropriate examples and quotes. | Basic analysis of main characters with limited understanding; few examples and quotes provided. | Incomplete or unclear analysis of characters with minimal evidence.| | MODERN RELEVANCE | Thoughtful connections to contemporary issues, demonstrating strong understanding of relevance. | Clear connections to contemporary issues, demonstrating a good understanding of relevance. | Some connections to contempory issues, demonstrating a basic understanding of relevance. | Weak or no connections to contemporary issues; limited understanding of relevance. | | CREATIVITY | Exceptionally creative use of visual aids, dramatic readings, or multimedia elements that significantly enhance engagement. | Creative use of visual aids, dramatic readings, or multimedia elements that enhance engagement. | Basic use of visual aids, dramatic readings, or multimedia elements that support the presentation. | Little to no use of visual aids, dramatic readings, or multimedia elements; minimal effort to enhance engagement. | ## Shortcut Keys Enhance the learning experience by incorporating these handy shortcut keys while in presentation mode. * **B:** for blur * **C:** for confetti * **U:** for unveil * **D:** for drumroll * **M:** for mic drop * **O:** for bubbles * **Q:** for quiet * **Any number from 0-9:** for a timer