Othello has been studied for centuries. We are about to join this long literary history with our own ideas about Shakespeare's masterpiece.

1. Join and Participate in a Character Forum: You are responsible for posting important quotes said by or said about your character as well as reactions to quotes posted by others. By the end of the play, you must post a total of 5 new quotes (with correct citations) and 10 thoughtful reactions (a direct reference to the posting plus a well-explained new idea you have) to others' postings.
Final Posting due Friday: In one sentence, state what you believe your character's superobjective is. Then comment on another member's superobjective statement.

2. Journal about the Play and Share these Thoughts: On certain nights, you will have a blog topic that asks you to think about the play. On other nights, you will explore and react to classmates' blogs. In the end, you will have created together a web of thinking.

3. Join the Conversation: Write an academic journal article about the character you have followed throughout the play. Here are the guidelines.
** Please post your first draft on your blog (titled clearly so we know it is your draft). Make sure you start your post with 2 specific questions you would like feedback on.

4. Publish Your Article: When you have your final academic article all done, please post it to the "Academic Articles" forum to the left. Here we will be able to read, learn from, and enjoy everyone's thoughts and insights. (Don't forget to also upload your article to TurnItIn!)

The Temptation Scene in Relay: III.iii.90-480

Group #1: 2 people -- Carley and Carmen
III.iii.90-213 (“Excellent Wretch” through “I am bound to thee forever”) Iago starts to poison Othello's mind and goes further in his campaign to make Othello doubt Desdemona’s fidelity. Othello begins to believe Iago's hints.
Roles: Othello and Iago
Directions: Emphasize the irony of the words and who is speaking. Cut down some of Othello’s speeches and aggressively cut down Iago’s
longer speeches.

Group #2: 5 people -- Evan, Griffin, Cara, Emily, and Maggie
III.iii.214-333 (“I see this has dashed a little your spirits” through “Which thou owedst yesterday”) Othello begins to believe Iago's hints and is struggling with his belief in his wife's honesty. The handkerchief is put into play.
Roles: Director (leads line cutting and staging decisions), Othello, Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia
Directions: Cut down lines while focusing on …
1. In the speech beginning at line 228 (from "Ay, there's the point!"), Iago suggests that Desdemona's choice of Othello is unnatural. What are the implications of this? How will the person playing Othello react nonverbally? How does Othello react to Desdemona’s entrance?
2. Use the class handkerchief. Since what happens in this scene sets in motion a series of events that result in catastrophe, figure out carefully how Othello rejects the handkerchief, how and why Desdemona lets it fall, and how Emilia reacts when she picks it up. Where does Emilia hold the handkerchief when she sees Iago coming? What motivates her to offer it to him after all? What is her objective, and how will the actor make it clear? How is the handkerchief passed between them -- Iago takes it or Emilia hands it?

Group #3: 2 people -- Greg and Andrew
III.iii.333-480 (“Ha! Ha! False to me?” through “I am your own forever”) Othello expresses increasing conviction that Desdemona is betraying him. Becoming even bolder, Iago fabricates a story about how Cassio in his sleep revealed his affair with Desdemona. The handkerchief is revealed and pledges are made …
Roles: Othello and Iago
Directions: Cut lines guided by the words and how they create meaning. Think about … Why does Othello insist to Iago, “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore! / Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof”? Consider the irony of his demand. How can this be conveyed by the actors? Think about the play on the word “honest,” meaning both truthful and sexually faithful or chaste. Decide how to say that word. Finally, work out how to kneel and rise. What props will you use?

Othello’s Fall: IV.i.1-208

In your group, answer your assigned question. Then, prepare a 2-minute or less verbal answer to share with the class – that is, narrow down your group’s answer to the most important essence the whole class needs to know. You have 8 minutes!

1. Define epilepsy. Trace its build-up in and effects on Othello in lines 1-64 (through “and many a civil monster”).

2. How is Iago able to make Othello believe that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona in lines 93-143 (“Now I will question” through “Before me! Look where she comes”)? What would you emphasize, as a director, when you rehearsed the actors?

3. Can you find examples to show how Othello’s once noble and lofty language is sinking to Iago’s bestial level? (Remember your “Iago’s Bestiary” in the close reading group.) What do you make of this change in Shakespeare’s choice of diction for his character?

Performing Act V

Here are the directions for your final performance!

Act V.doc