Many professional acting companies today have dramaturges, consultants who are responsible for providing directors with all kinds of historical and literary information pertaining to the play. In Othello, there are many issues and places that would benefit from research. To accomplish this, you will work in dramaturgy teams to research one of the assigned topics and create a presentation to educate the rest of the class on your topic.
The Project:
Research your topic using both online and print sources.
A minimum of three sources is required. No Wikipedia. An MLA citation should appear on your PowerPoint or Prezi.
Using your research, create an informative PowerPoint or Prezi displaying key information and using relevant photographs and maps, etc.
Make sure major questions are answered on PowerPoint/Prezi and are easily read. (Only write the notes you want students to copy; otherwise, just talk to us.)
Your must do all writing; plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Your presentation should have multiple pictures that help the class understand your topic. Do not use cutesy clip art, but creatively make sure the presentation best depicts your topic. (Remember, a PowerPoint is for SHOWING.)
Present your topic to the class, to explain the background knowledge needed for better understanding the play. Your presentation should be about 5-7 minutes, but no more than 10. If you are working in a group, all members of your group must be present and must contribute in some way. Group members who stand silent will earn a zero for the presentation portion.
Do not read your information directly from the screen. You are to talk us through the information. We can read for ourselves.
If you are absent on the day of your presentation, you will earn a zero. Please plan ahead.
Topics and Groupings:
- VENICE Where is Venice, and what was it like in Shakespeare’s time (the 16th century)? What was its economic status at that time? Use a map of the Mediterranean and be prepared to show what territory the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire covered. Group members: Yuna
CYPRUS (AND GREECE) - Where is it? What was its importance in the sixteenth century? How far is it from Venice? What were the politics of the countries nearest it? Use a map in your presentation. (You will need to get some online information of Cyprus, too). Group members: Dongju
MOORS Who are they? Where did they come from? What were they doing in Europe in the 16th century? Are there religious or cultural practices associated with them? SPECIAL TASK: During the weeks to come, when you see references to Othello’s Christianity and to the respect he is held, note these and bring them to the class’s attention. Group members: Jacky J
TURKS What was the Elizabethan attitude toward foreigners in general and non-Christians (such as Turks) in particular? What were the thoughts of Elizabethans towards Ottoman imperialism? Use a map (and pictures) to show the location of Turkey today and the Ottoman Empire. Group members: Doris
FLORENCE Where is it and what was it like during Shakespeare’s time? What was its importance during the 16th century? What was the attitude towards those from Florence? How far is it to Venice? Group members: Jacky C
EPILEPSY What are the symptoms of epilepsy? How was it regarded and treated during the Renaissance? Now? Are there conditions that render and epileptic particularly vulnerable to a seizure? Group members: Ken
ROLE OF WOMEN What was it like to be a woman at the time of the play? Focus mostly on the attitudes surrounding love and marriage during 16th and 17th Century England. Group members: Mia
Write an essay that answers one of the following prompts. Cite using MLA format and follow all formal writing rules.
A tragedy concerns the fall of a great man due to some flaw in his character. Determine the extent to which Othello is a tragic hero. Clearly, Othello was flawed due to his jealousy, but what other “flaws” might have played a role? (Carol and Youngeun)
Examine how, Othello, who is so easily duped by Iago and so violently cruel to Desdemona, remains for us a sympathetic character.
The handkerchief is an important symbol in the play. Analyze the handkerchief in terms of its importance to Othello, Desdemona, and Iago.
‘Othello’s foolishness rather than Iago’s cleverness leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Othello.’ Discuss this statement supporting your answer with the aid of suitable reference to the text.
‘Othello is the principal agent of his own downfall.’ Discuss this view, supporting your answer by reference to or quotation from the play Othello.
Compare and contrast Desdemona’s and Emilia’s views on love, sex, marriage and men. (Pan)
- With a partner, or individually, choose a scene from the list below. Groups will be graded on memorization, stage blocking (planned movement on stage), Characterization and general preparedness. Costumes are not required but dressing (in a modern fashion) to suit your character is encouraged.
Act I, scene i - pg. 1 - Iago Start: Three great ones of the city... Ends: And I - God bless the mark! - his Moorship's ancient. Actors: Doris
Act I, scene iii - pg. 13 - Othello Start: Her father loved me... Ends: Here comes the lady... Actor: Mia *** This speech may be shortened to 20 lines with final draft approval from the teacher.
Act II, scene iii - pg. 36 - Iago and Cassio Start: What, are you hurt, lieutenant? Ends: Good night, honest Iago. Actors:
Act II, scene iii - pg. 44 - Iago and Othello Start: My noble lord - Ends: From jealousy! Actors:
Act III, scene iv - pg. 54 - Othello and Desdemona Start: How is't with you, my lord? Ends: Away. Actors:
Act IV, scene iii -pg. 74 - Desdemona and Emilia Start: Emil: How goes it now? Ends: Des: Not to pick bad from bad... Actors:
Act IV, scene iii - pg. 76 - Emilia Start: Yes, a dozen... Ends: The ills we do, their ills instruct us so. Actors: Yuna
Act V, scene ii - pg. 82 - Othello and Desdemona Start: Ay, Desdemona Ends: It's too late. Actors: Jacky J and Dongju
Act V, scene iii - pg. 84 - Othello and Emilia Start: My lord, my lord! Ends: The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! Murder! Actors: Jacky C and Ken