Othello DVD Venice sequence
Thinking Question – Critical audience 0-30
minutes.
In classical tragedy a tragic hero is a
person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. Thomas Rymer did not believe
that Othello was a ‘tragic hero’ “We see nothing done by him, nor related
concerning him, that comports with the condition of a General, or, indeed, of a
Man,” as you watch the film adaptation can you find any evidence to
support Rymer’s belief? Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.
Basic
plot
Why do
Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio?
To tell
him of the marriage between his daughter Desdemona and Othello and by this
encourage a conflict between him and Othello.
How does
Brabantio believe Othello ‘won’ his daughter, Desdemona?
Through sorcery.
How does
Othello believe he ‘won’ Desdemona?
He
believes he won Desdemona through love that developed through the stories he
told of adventure and travel.
What two
reasons are there for Othello appearing before the senate?
About
his business in the war in Cyprus and about the new information of the marriage
between him and Desdemona- about what should be done because of it due to the
accusations set about by Brabantio.
What do
we learn about Othello’s past?
He was
sold into slavery.
What
terms are used to describe Othello whilst in front of the senate?
Moor,
What is
significant about Brabantio’s rhyming couplet “Look to her, Moor, if
thou hast eyes
to see. She has deceived her father,
and may thee.”?
That as
she has deceived her father in marrying him, he is outlining the fact that she
may deceive him also, which foreshadows the events that are to come. It is the
first case of doubt that is placed in Othello’s mind which would lead him to
question Desdemona’s loyalty to him.
Can you find
an example of dramatic irony in Othello’s retort?
Othello’s
response to this remark is “My life upon her faith. Honest Iago.” As the play
concludes with Othello dying as a cause of her apparent unfaithfulness, it
outlines the irony that Othello’s trust in Desdemona will be his downfall. He
also quotes Iago as being honest and as the whole plot is based on Iago’s
deceitfulness, it demonstrates the naivety of the protagonist.
What
does Iago persuade Roderigo to do?
He
persuades him to give him money which will in turn mean that Iago will help him
get Desdemona.
What do
we learn from Iago’s soliloquy?
That
Iago only has revenge in mind and has no intention of helping Roderigo.
