1. OTHELLO – ESSAY assessment task #2
How to prepare?
Where to start?
What process should you follow?
…what does it all mean???

2. Interest viewers
Absorb scholars
Grab and keep attention
Fascinate actors
Intrigue critics
Captivate directors
Lasts
Endures
Always
Persists
Carries on
Theatrical handling…
Powerful dealing-with…
Gripping investigation…
Profound exploration…
Importance
Meaning of
Impact of
Nature of
Power of
ESSAY QUESTION:
‘Shakespeare’s OTHELLO continues to engage audiences through its dramatic treatment of the significance of loyalty* and disillusionment*.’
In the context of Module B, to what extent does this statement resonate with your critical analysis* and interpretation of OTHELLO?
In your response, make detailed textual reference to the Shakespeare’s play and various interpretations and productions of the play script.
Match with
Echo with
Ring true with
Agree with
Support
Follow
Understanding
Reading
Version
Exploration
Evaluation
How much?
How little?
To what degree?
To what level?
Technical analysis of text

3. OTHELLO – according to Module B
__________________________________________
demonstrate an informed understanding of the ideas expressed in the text
evaluate the text’s language, content and construction
organise, develop and express ideas using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form

4. Loyalty? Loyalty – synonyms: Faithfulness
Devotion
Allegiance
Trustworthiness
Honesty
Antonyms:
Treachery
Betrayal
Fickleness
Perfidy
infidelity
Loyalty is a social and cultural value
What IS the nature of loyalty:
In Elizabethan England?
In other cultures, times and places?
Between work colleagues?
Between lovers?
Between family members?
Between women?
Between men?
Between employer and employee?
Among members of the same social group?

5. Disillusionment? Disillusionment is a human emotion / feeling.
Disillusionment– synonyms:
Disappointment
Cynicism
Let-down
Disenchanted
Jaded
Doubt
Contempt
Pessimism
Scorn
Antonyms:
Satisfaction
Fulfillment
Enjoyment
Pleasure
Delight
Optimism
What are the causes of Disillusionment?
What are the various manifestations of Disillusionment?
What makes people “act” on their Disillusionment in different ways?

7. Writing of the Play
Othello: This play was probably written in 1601 (for Elizabeth), a little past the middle of Shakespeare's career (he was 40).
Performed at the royal court
Christmas season of 1604
when command performances of entertainments for the king and courtiers were customary.
That means it had probably already been a success.

8. Social and culture values of Venice
Venice is a Catholic city.
In Europe, its senate is a symbol for REASON, ORDER, LAW (Catholic law)
Also had a reputation as the “pleasure capital”, immoral
A city-state of enormous mercantile wealth, (wealth from trade; major sea port)
Venice in Shakespeare's time was a byword for luxury and culture and was also famous for its Judicial system
Its trade was partially choked off by the growing power of the Turkish empire in the 16th century, which extended into Europe as well as Asia and Arabia. Hence the importance of Cyprus.

9. Venice is a symbol for order… and Turkey is a symbol for barbarianism… so Cyprus is somewhere in-between
It’s an island amidst a raging sea, close to the enemy
Less reason/logic here – a lack of the power of Venetian social and cultural values.
On Cyprus, the characters are in a “social and cultural vacuum” in which they must (individually) take sole control of their own moral compass and their emotional responses.

10. Destructive nature of Jealousy Being an outsider
The play’s enduring appeal is in it’s dramatic treatment of the significance of a variety of human experiences, such as:
Destructive nature of Jealousy
Iago jealous of Cassio’s position
Othello suspecting Desdemona’s unfaithfulness
Being an outsider
Prejudice against Othello
Skin color
Black & White Imagery
From Africa, not Venice
Warrior rather than courtier and politician
Unfamiliar with societal conventions
Dealt mainly with men and battle, not women and love
Importance of Honour and Reputation
Cassio
Desdemona

11. Appearance Versus Reality
The play’s enduring appeal is in it’s dramatic treatment of the significance of a variety of human experiences, such as:
Appearance Versus Reality
“Honest Iago”
Desdemona & Cassio
Loyalty Versus Treachery
The ones Othello believes are treacherous are actually loyal
Cassio
Desdemona
Role of Emilia
With her husband
With Desdemona

12. The play’s enduring appeal is in it’s dramatic treatment of the significance of a variety of human experiences, such as:
ENVY
BETRAYAL
CORRUPTION OF MORAL ORDER (Coveting thy neighbour’s wife – breakdown of military and social hierarchy)
HONESTY
TRUST
BLIND AMBITION
INNOCENCE DESTROYED
PASSION - obsession (as a destructive force)

13. The role of women. Gender divisions
The role of women? Gender divisions? Have the values and attitudes surrounding women changed in 400 years?