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.
ENGLISH 11AP - Language and Literature:
Daily Plan
UNIT: Othello
DAY: 4
Assignment to have been completed: Students should have completed Act 2.1 of Othello.
Activities:
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A. Administer quiz over 2.1.
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B. Discuss Act II of Othello. Use the following questions to direct discussion and my answers to evaluate that discussion.
Scene 2.1
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1. How does Shakespeare create suspense in this opening scene?
He introduces all the characters except Othello who has been separated from Cassio’s ship by the great storm. That storm destroyed the Turkish fleet and arouses fear in Desdemona’s heart that the storm has claimed her missing husband, too.
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2. How does Iago’s speech in lines 100 - 102 explain his relationship with his wife? How does it connect - if at all - to his theory of the relationship between men and women?
Iago speaks of Emilia as though she were a scold or a nag, harping at him constantly. These lines underscore the cynicism of his view that the only male-female relationship is lust.
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3. Does Iago believe Cassio and Desdemona are attracted to one another? What may this answer reveal about Iago himself? Does Iago find Desdemona attractive? What may that answer reveal about him? What does Iago mean in line 283?
He seems to believe that Cassio’s courtesies are motivated by lust. His view of women suggests that he must suppose that Desdemona is sexually attracted to Cassio. In lines 262 - 263 he directly states that Cassio loves Desdemona and that she loves him. Since he speaks only to himself, we know that these words are not part of the manipulative deception he has just played on Roderigo.
It would seem that Iago can see no innocence in any act or person. If so, he is himself akin to Satan whose perspective is identical.
In line 267 - 272 Iago declares his own attraction to Desdemona but qualifies it by explaining its origin in his desire to avenge Othello’s imagined liaison with Emilia.
In line 283 Iago reveals his own paranoia (no doubt born of his cynicism) in his suspicion that Cassio has slept with Emilia, too.
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Assignment for next class meeting: Read Act 2.2-3 of Othello.