Othello

Daily lesson plans

Eleven days of discussion questions with answers, one for each reading assignment.

Othello, Day 1: Act 1, Scene 1

Lesson plan for day 1 of the Othello unit. Iago's grievance against Cassio, the beast imagery he uses for Othello, and Brabantio's anger.

Othello, Day 2: Act 1, Scene 2

Lesson plan for day 2 of the Othello unit. Iago the two-faced Janus, Brabantio's charge of witchcraft, and the first look at Othello's self-control.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 3: Act 1, Scene 3

Lesson plan for day 3 of the Othello unit. The spell of Othello's stories, Brabantio's warning, and Iago's plan to use Othello's trusting nature.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 4: Act 2, Scene 1

Lesson plan for day 4 of the Othello unit. The storm at Cyprus, Iago's cynical view of men and women, and his suspicion of Cassio.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 5: Act 2, Scenes 2 and 3

Lesson plan for day 5 of the Othello unit. Cassio's fall through drink, read through Plato's three-part soul, and Iago's view of reputation.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 6: Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2

Lesson plan for day 6 of the Othello unit. The Clown's puns, and Emilia's report that Desdemona has already pleaded for Cassio.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 7: Act 3, Scene 3

Lesson plan for day 7 of the Othello unit. The temptation scene, in which Iago plants jealousy in Othello. Fifteen discussion questions with answers.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 8: Act 3, Scene 4

Lesson plan for day 8 of the Othello unit. Desdemona's lost handkerchief and her mistaken view of Othello's behavior.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 9: Act 4, Scene 1

Lesson plan for day 9 of the Othello unit. Othello's "ocular proof," Bianca's appearance, and the plan to strangle Desdemona.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 10: Act 4, Scenes 2 and 3

Lesson plan for day 10 of the Othello unit. Othello's accusation, Emilia's defense of Desdemona, and the Willow Song.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Othello, Day 11: Act 5, Scenes 1 and 2

Lesson plan for day 11 of the Othello unit. Roderigo's attack on Cassio, Desdemona's death, and Othello's last speech.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes Lesson plan

Reading quizzes

Short quizzes on the reading for Acts 2 to 4.

Study aids

Study questions, notes on reading a play, and notes on imagery.

Othello Study Guide

Study questions for every scene of Othello, to answer before each class.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Study guide

Notes on Drama

Terms and practices that help students read a play as a script for performance.

Shakespeare Othello Drama Lecture notes

Othello, Act II Notes and Eye Imagery

Scene notes on Act II and a list of the eye imagery that runs through the play.

Shakespeare Othello Imagery Lecture notes

Background reading

Research handouts on Renaissance Venice, social class, geography, marriage, and key terms.

Terms and Concepts in Othello

Definitions of Moor, ancient, lieutenant, Cyprus, Venice, and other terms that students need for the play.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Reference

Venice During the Renaissance

Outline notes on Venice as a sea power, a trading city, and a republic.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Venice

Social Class and Slavery in the Renaissance

How new wealth reshaped class in Renaissance Italy, and how slavery fit into that world.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Social history

Geography in Othello

How Shakespeare sets Venice against Cyprus, and what that contrast does to the marriage of Othello and Desdemona.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Venice

Medieval and Renaissance Marriage

An excerpt on what made a marriage valid in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and on wedding customs.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Marriage

Othello Research Project

Directions and questions for a class research project on Venice, social class, geography, marriage, and key terms.

Shakespeare Othello Renaissance Assignment

Writing and grading

Passage analysis homework, tone exercises, AP style prompts, and the rubrics that score them.

Othello

Daily lesson plans

Othello, Day 1: Act 1, Scene 1

Othello, Day 2: Act 1, Scene 2

Othello, Day 3: Act 1, Scene 3

Othello, Day 4: Act 2, Scene 1

Othello, Day 5: Act 2, Scenes 2 and 3

Othello, Day 6: Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2

Othello, Day 7: Act 3, Scene 3

Othello, Day 8: Act 3, Scene 4

Othello, Day 9: Act 4, Scene 1

Othello, Day 10: Act 4, Scenes 2 and 3

Othello, Day 11: Act 5, Scenes 1 and 2

Reading quizzes

Othello Reading Quiz: Act 2

Othello Reading Quiz: Act 3, Scenes 1 to 3

Othello Reading Quiz: Act 3, Scene 4

Othello Reading Quiz: Act 4, Scene 1

Othello Reading Quiz: Act 4, Scenes 2 and 3

Study aids

Othello Study Guide

Notes on Drama

Othello, Act II Notes and Eye Imagery

Background reading

Terms and Concepts in Othello

Venice During the Renaissance

Social Class and Slavery in the Renaissance

Geography in Othello

Medieval and Renaissance Marriage

Othello Research Project

Writing and grading

Passage Analysis Homework

Sample Passage Analysis

Rubric: Othello Passage Analysis

Tone Exercise: Othello's Speeches

AP Practice: The "It Is the Cause" Speech

AP Essay Prompt: Othello's Sword Speech

AP Essay Prompt: Heaven, Men, and Devils

Pre-Writing Practice Prompts

Othello Test Essay Prompts

Rubric: Othello Essay

AP Scoring Rubric: Othello