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.
ENGLISH 11AP - Language and Literature:
Daily Plan
UNIT: Othello
DAY: 5
Assignment to have been completed: Students should have completed Act 2.2-3 of Othello.
Activities:
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A. Administer quiz over 2.2-3.
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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 2.2
NO QUESTIONS
Scene 2.3
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1. Explain Cassio’s succumbing to Iago’s machinations in terms of Plato’s theory of the soul.
Iago misuses his own reason (the highest level of the soul) to appeal to Cassio’s passions (the second level of the soul) by speaking of Desdemona in sexual terms and then moves quickly to assail his appetites (the lowest level of the soul) by seducing him to drink, an activity for which Cassio has little resistance. [13ff.]
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2. Explain Othello’s mood or thoughts in lines 182 - 185 in terms of Plato’s theory of the soul.
Othello states that his passions are beginning to rule his reason, that though reason tells him to make investigation calmly, the unwillingness of either Montano or Cassio to explain themselves raises his temper. In other words, passion begins to overrule reason.
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3. What is Iago’s view of reputation?
Iago asserts that reputation is insignificant and often won without deserving. It is an illusion [243 ff.]
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4. What does Iago believe about the relationship between Othello and Desdemona? How does he plan on using that to undo Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona herself?
Iago believes that Othello lies so slavishly under Desdemona’s spell that he will do whatever she asks. He also believes that Othello has a weak intellect [299 - 308]
Iago has advised Cassio to seek Desdemona’s intervention on his part to regain Othello’s favor. When or before she makes that attempt, Iago will begin to convince Othello that Desdemona is carrying on an affair with Cassio. Since he sees Othello as completely in love with Desdemona, he envisions the destruction of all three of the principal characters [313 - 322]
To complete his scheme he must also maneuver Emilia into persuading Desdemona to intervene on Cassio’s behalf [340 - 345].
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Assignment for next class meeting: Read Act 3.1-2 of Othello.