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.
ENGLISH 11AP - Language and Literature:
Daily Plan
UNIT: Othello
DAY: 8
Assignment to have been completed: Students should have completed Act 3.4 of Othello.
Activities:
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A. Administer the quiz over 3.4.
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B. Discuss Act III of Othello. Use the following questions to direct discussion and my answers to evaluate that discussion.
Scene 3.4
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1. What gross misinterpretation of Othello’s character prevents Desdemona from foreseeing her own fate or even from understanding Othello’s behavior in this scene?
Desdemona erroneously believes that Othello is incapable of jealousy [20 - 25].
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2. How does Desdemona misinterpret Othello’s strange behavior?
She believes that Othello is upset over some political or military plot that has been recently revealed [134 - 137].
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3. What is the thematic role of Bianca and Cassio’s exchange at the end of this scene?
In this scene the handkerchief moves yet one remove farther from Desdemona’s possession. She will not easily reclaim it. Indeed, the possibility now exists that someone (perhaps Othello) will see the remarkable handkerchief in the possession of a common prostitute, one Cassio is known to frequent.
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Assignment for next class meeting: Read Act 4.1 Othello. Complete study questions.