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?
Because
they’ve come to tell Brabantio about the marriage between Desdemona and
Othello.
How does Brabantio believe
Othello ‘won’ his daughter, Desdemona?
He accused
him for using sorcery to seduce his daughter.
How does Othello believe he
‘won’ Desdemona?
With his
stories of him being in war and the adventures he’s had by travelling.
What two reasons are there
for Othello appearing before the senate?
One of
the reasons is is that he’s being sent to Cyprus to go to war, but also because
of his marriage to Desdemona and what he has to say about it.
What do we learn about
Othello’s past?
That he
was sold into slavery.
What terms are used to
describe Othello whilst in front of the senate?
Moor, more fair than black, thick lips
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.”?
What’s
significant about Brabantio’s rhyming couplet is that he’s explaining to him
that if can deceive her father, then she could also deceive you too.
Can you find an example of
dramatic irony in Othello’s retort?
‘My life
upon her faith’ this shows dramatic irony because if he loses faith in her,
then he will die so it shows a glimpse of what will happen.
What does Iago persuade
Roderigo to do?
He
persuades Iago to give him a lot of money and then he will help him get
Desdemona.
What do we learn from Iago’s
soliloquy?
That
Iago is not being genuine and that he is not doing it to help him, he’s just
doing it to get revenge.
