1. Answering the Question Higher Critical Essay

2. Topic Sentences These should not describe plot They should mention the audience And should use key words from or related to the question: From the beginning the audience is clear that it is a massive mistake to trust Iago. It is clear that Othello should put his faith in Desdemona. Act 3 Scene 3 is the turning point where we realise the consequences of Othello’s misplaced trust.

3. Obsession Choose a play in which a central character behaves in an obsessive manner. Describe the nature of the character’s obsessive behaviour and discuss the influence this behaviour has on your understanding of the character in the play as a whole. What is Othello obsessed by? Write 3 topic sentences First act In the first act Othello is shown to be not only obsessed by his beautiful wife Desdemona but his acute awareness of his status in Venice also never leaves his mind. Key scene Obsessive love turning to obsessive/destructive jealousy Climax – obsessive nature means he must destroy D and ultimately himself.

4. Key Scene 4. Choose a play in which an important theme is effectively highlighted by one specific scene or incident. Explain how the theme is explored in the play as a whole and then show in detail how the chosen scene or incident effectively highlights it. Start with the scene Theme – jealousy destroys Good/evil – evil prevails “When I love thee not…” – loving, caring as he showed in first act “Ha, I like not that!” – Iago’s control over people through language – we have seen manipulate everyone “I’ll see before I doubt…” – logical, as he as been previously “O blood! O

5. Conflict What is the nature of the inner conflict? …the conflict with another character? Write topic sentences How does Shakespeare make clear the nature of the conflict with Iago in the first act? How does Shakespeare make clear the nature of the inner conflict in the key scene? How does the final scene show the

6. Crucial error “I am not what I am” Realisation. Othello acts – ‘Othello runs at Iago.’ He wants justice: “Are there no stones in heaven?” Gives up: “I am not valiant either…Let it go all.” And later, “’O Desdemon! Dead Desdemon! O! O!”