1. Othello Frontloading —written in 1604— Know these characters well. Know what they say—and to whom. Jot notes after viewing each day. The test (100 multiple choice or matching) demands you know this play very well, so you’ll have a team of experts to work with. 84% average among non-AP students.

2. Act Presentations Each of you will be part of two squads: Each of you will be part of two squads: 1. your test-taking team, which will have an expert from each act (or four of the five acts) 1. your test-taking team, which will have an expert from each act (or four of the five acts) 2. your act-presenting group, which will have 20 minutes to teach the rest of the class all of the important quotes, events, settings, and so forth from one specific act. 2. your act-presenting group, which will have 20 minutes to teach the rest of the class all of the important quotes, events, settings, and so forth from one specific act. Act I on April 29 MAct IV on May 2 H Act II on April 30 TAct V on May 7 T Act III on May 1 W Test May 14 T

4. Gratiano Brabantio’s brother. Brabantio’s brother. Desdemona’s uncle. Desdemona’s uncle. Travels from Venice to Cyprus late in the play with Lodovico. Travels from Venice to Cyprus late in the play with Lodovico. Has a limited role and beard in the film—and is slightly visible in the next image. Has a limited role and beard in the film—and is slightly visible in the next image.

5. Montano Othello’s friend in Cyprus; he is not in Venice scenes. Othello’s friend in Cyprus; he is not in Venice scenes. Also a leader in the government and military of Cyprus. Also a leader in the government and military of Cyprus. Cassio loses his rank because he becomes drunk and fights with Montano, angering Othello, who has been “romantically involved” for the first time with his new wife, Desdemona. Cassio loses his rank because he becomes drunk and fights with Montano, angering Othello, who has been “romantically involved” for the first time with his new wife, Desdemona.

6. Duke of Venice Calls a meeting in the middle of the night to decide what to do about a threat from the Turkish military. Calls a meeting in the middle of the night to decide what to do about a threat from the Turkish military. Allows Desdemona to go to Cyprus, following her new husband, who is leader of the Venetian military. Allows Desdemona to go to Cyprus, following her new husband, who is leader of the Venetian military. Urges Brabantio to accept Othello as his new son-in-law. Urges Brabantio to accept Othello as his new son-in-law.

7. Brabantio Desdemona’s dad. Desdemona’s dad. Senator in Venice, Italy, the first setting of the play. Does not go to Cyprus. Senator in Venice, Italy, the first setting of the play. Does not go to Cyprus. Awakens to vulgar shouts by Iago and Roderigo, who wants to marry Desdemona. Awakens to vulgar shouts by Iago and Roderigo, who wants to marry Desdemona. Goes to confront Othello, but is summoned to meet with the Duke about military deliberations. Goes to confront Othello, but is summoned to meet with the Duke about military deliberations.

8. Emilia Iago’s wife. Iago’s wife. Desdemona’s maid and mentor. Desdemona’s maid and mentor. Grabs the salient handkerchief from D. to give to Iago, seeking approval from the worst husband possible—and not understanding the reason Iago wants the handkerchief. Grabs the salient handkerchief from D. to give to Iago, seeking approval from the worst husband possible—and not understanding the reason Iago wants the handkerchief. Rumored to have slept with Othello (but Iago uses this rumor as justification for his sedition). Rumored to have slept with Othello (but Iago uses this rumor as justification for his sedition).

9. Roderigo, “the Puppet” Wearing a fake beard in this photo, trying to hide his identity as he attempts to sabotage the marriage between Othello & Desdemona, which he witnesses. Wearing a fake beard in this photo, trying to hide his identity as he attempts to sabotage the marriage between Othello & Desdemona, which he witnesses. Brabantio has told him he cannot marry D. Brabantio has told him he cannot marry D. Succumbs to Iago’s verbal treachery throughout the play. Succumbs to Iago’s verbal treachery throughout the play. Sells everything he has to chase Desdemona. Sells everything he has to chase Desdemona.

10. Lodovico, the eyes and voice of the audience Desdemona’s cousin. Desdemona’s cousin. Major role late in the play at Cyprus. Tries to stand up against Othello for Desdemona. Chastises Iago severely. Strips Othello of his title and laments the sadness of the resolution for the audience. Will tell the story to those in Venice. Major role late in the play at Cyprus. Tries to stand up against Othello for Desdemona. Chastises Iago severely. Strips Othello of his title and laments the sadness of the resolution for the audience. Will tell the story to those in Venice. This actor, Michael Sheen, wears silly tights in this film, but has performed as Tony Blair and in Frost/Nixon, Twilight, Underworld, and many other popular films and shows. This actor, Michael Sheen, wears silly tights in this film, but has performed as Tony Blair and in Frost/Nixon, Twilight, Underworld, and many other popular films and shows.

11. Bianca Follows a “loose” moral compass. Follows a “loose” moral compass. Lives in Cyprus; like Montano, is never in Venice. Lives in Cyprus; like Montano, is never in Venice. Is “available,” especially to the handsome, charismatic Michael Cassio. Is “available,” especially to the handsome, charismatic Michael Cassio. Functions largely as a pawn in Iago’s scheme. Functions largely as a pawn in Iago’s scheme. Is angered when she finds the handkerchief left by Cassio on her bed. Is angered when she finds the handkerchief left by Cassio on her bed.

12. Cassio Othello’s best man at his elopement—and is promoted by Othello in the opening scenes. Othello’s best man at his elopement—and is promoted by Othello in the opening scenes. Cannot control himself while drinking alcohol (notorious). Cannot control himself while drinking alcohol (notorious). Enjoys an affair with Bianca. Enjoys an affair with Bianca. Tricked by Iago, who advises Cassio to commiserate with D. to regain Othello’s favor. Tricked by Iago, who advises Cassio to commiserate with D. to regain Othello’s favor.

13. Irene Jacob as Desdemona Brabantio’s daughter. Brabantio’s daughter. Pursued by Roderigo. Pursued by Roderigo. Wife of Othello, who attracted affection & attention by telling, within earshot of D., Brabantio exotic stories of the Orient—of war, slavery, barbarism, etc. Wife of Othello, who attracted affection & attention by telling, within earshot of D., Brabantio exotic stories of the Orient—of war, slavery, barbarism, etc. Her “Willow” song functions as foreshadowing. Her “Willow” song functions as foreshadowing.

14. Laurence Fishburne as Othello A “Moor” from northern Africa who has somehow swiftly gained rank in Venice. A “Moor” from northern Africa who has somehow swiftly gained rank in Venice. Described harshly, prejudicially by many. Described harshly, prejudicially by many. Brilliant militaristically, childish (like “Pantaloon”’s Rider) emotionally/socially. Brilliant militaristically, childish (like “Pantaloon”’s Rider) emotionally/socially. To London audiences, a rare representation of blackness to judge—a source of the justification for slavery, which followed, of course? To London audiences, a rare representation of blackness to judge—a source of the justification for slavery, which followed, of course?

15. Iago, the spider/viper —played by Kenneth Branagh Has been ranked as top villain of all literature. Has been ranked as top villain of all literature. Speaks in many “asides” (like above) to audience. Speaks in many “asides” (like above) to audience. Married to Emilia, passed by Cassio for promotion. Married to Emilia, passed by Cassio for promotion. Verbally seduces Roderigo throughout the play. Verbally seduces Roderigo throughout the play. True reason/source of wickedness debated endlessly. True reason/source of wickedness debated endlessly.