Yr11 Othello Essay Prep

Question 1

P. Seghal
P. Seghal

Answer 1

Jealousy conditions us to look with intensity, not accuracy

Jealousy is exhausting, it’s a hungry emotion and must be satisfied”

Question 2

C. Phillips

Answer 2

Desdemona is the love of a possession. She is a prize, a spoil of war.

Question 3

SL Coleridge

Answer 3

Iago is “a being next to the devil”

Question 4

TS Elliot

Answer 4

Othello’s final speech was a “terrible exposure of human weakness”

Question 5

A. Lomba

Answer 5

Women and blacks exist as others

Question 6

Who are the 5 critics?

Answer 6

P. Seghal
C. Phillips
SL Coleridge
TS Elliot
A. Lomba

Question 7

Context; Women

Answer 7

Women only existed in relation to men; there were sought after as a possession

Question 8

Context; Humanism VS Old World

Answer 8

King James
- complete obedience to God
- self-determination was at odds with Christianity

Iago
- self-made, individualistic
- malicious/ruthless (against codes of chivalry)

Question 9

Context; D&E Bodies

Answer 9

Their bodies lying side by side recall 14th/15th century English tombs carved with images of friends who chose to spend eternity buried together
- cementing a bond more sacred than blood/marriage

Their relationship contrast with destructive relationships (threat of faithless friendship among men)
Their bond represents connection/solace/support amidst tragedy

Question 10

What are the 3 contextual values?

Answer 10

Women are less (patriarchy)
Tension between Humanism and Old World View
D&E dead bodies, D&E bond

Question 11

Stagecraft; Handkerchief

Answer 11

• strawberries on white background parallel’s virgin’s bloodstained sheets
  ==> symbolises fidelity, guarantee of virginity
• objectification of women; the absence of the handkerchief leads Othello to kill

Question 12

Stagecraft; Willow

Answer 12

• foreshadows O&D’s relationship breakdown and her death
  ==> innocent death at hands of lover filled with hatred
• the “green willow” parallels the “green-eyed monster” that has infected Othello’s mind

Question 13

What are the 2 examples of stagecraft?

Answer 13

Handkerchief and Willow

Question 14

Introduction

Answer 14

read, repeat, read, repeat
- exploration of transient nature of romantic love
- demise of self-absorbed character
- sororal love as one that prevails
- audience is positioned to learn how to better navigate multifaceted condition of love
- Shakespeare provides a thrilling medium through which to warn the audience

Question 15

AoQ; A

Answer 15

antithesis
diction (“when” as opposed to but”)
foreshadow
high modality

Question 16

AoQ; B

Answer 16

irony (highlights insecure/consumed with image)

Question 17

AoQ; C

Answer 17

biblical allusion to Exodus 3:14, contrast him and God

Question 18

AoQ; D

Answer 18

foreshadows his evil “motiveless malignity” (SL Coleridge)
metaphor of hate & hell-pain, reveals that Iago knows to be deceitful

Question 19

AoQ; E

Answer 19

first person creating agency monosyllabic line (creates clarity, direction, strays from iambic pentameter)

Question 20

AoQ; F

Answer 20

high modality
contrast between freedom/obedience (highlight trust/devotion)

Question 21

AoQ; G

Answer 21

metonymy (“she” represents Des & all women, reflects Othello’s broader concern about female fidelity as manipulated by Iago, misogynistic approach)
high modality

Question 22

AoQ; H

Answer 22

metaphor (implies her being a prize to his benefit)

Question 23

AoQ; I

Answer 23

repetition
juxtaposition
irony

Question 24

AoQ; J

Answer 24

biblical allusion (“life for life” in Exodus, scripture says it’s okay to seek revenge)
hyperbole

Question 25

List everything you need to remember

Answer 25

Critics
Context
Stagecraft
Intro
Analysis of Quotes