"Between the Pages" -- Period 4

Citation for "Constructing the Other" Article

For anyone who wants the citation information for the article -- "Constructing the Other" -- we read about the issue of race, gender, and the state of "other" in Othello last week in class, here are the details.

Reminder: You need to confirm MLA format if you choose to use it.

Author: Ania Loomba Pages 172-175

Title: Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Othello: Constructing the Other
Copyright 1994 by Anthony Gerard Barthelemy

G.K. Hall & Co.
Macmillan Publishing Company

866 Third Ave.
New York, New York 10022

Maxwell Macmillan Canada, Inc.
1200 Eglinton Ave. East

Suite 200
Don Mills, Ontario M3C 3N1

W9, #2: Inspiring Research Questions

Now that we're beginning our Othello research project, tell us what theme/topic you're interested in researching & writing about at this point.

Answers:

Part 1: Identify the topic/theme.

Part 2: 5+ sentences, explain why it interests you.

Image link.

W8, #5: An Unexpected Silence

Is it just me? Or did someone else find it intriguing that at the conclusion of the play -- with all of Venice as his audience and fresh from having successfully destroyed Othello's life -- Iago decides to remain utterly silent?

From Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 309-312:

Othello demands (to Cassio): "Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil / Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?"

Iago responds: "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. / From this time forth I never will speak a word."

Challenge: In 5+ sentences, explain why you think that Iago chooses to remain permanently silent at this vital moment. Also, you may want to consider what Shakespeare is trying to say by this unexpected decision.

W8, #3: Did Hollywood Get It Right?

Challenge:

Sometimes Hollywood's advertising teams really get it right.

Sometimes Hollywood's advertising teams stretch the truth a bit.

Based on the following 1995 film trailer that hoped to get people to come see a modern film version of the play "Othello", do YOU think that this 30 second ad got it right or wrong?

Responses:  5+ sentences

Note:  the video is based on YouTube so you won't be able to watch it at school.

W8, #2: What Drives Iago's Fury?

Challenge:

If you had to explain to a first-time reader of "Othello" what was really driving Iago's fury against Othello (and his overall personality), how would you explain his psychology?

Keep in mind:  Simply saying that Iago is angry that he didn't get promoted or that he wonders about his wife's fidelity only scratches the surface of possible answers. Try to go further to help the reader really 'get it'!

Responses:  7+ sentences

Image of Laurence Fishburne (Othello) and Kenneth Branagh (Iago) from a 1995 film version of this play.