• Why must we think?
• Why is thinking so important?
• How can reading literature, studying authors, and examining other cultures help us become world citizens who think?

Our Hero Study ...

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.

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. See the guidelines on Veracross.

4. Publish Your Article: When you have your final academic article all done, please post it to the "Academic Articles" forum. 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!)

Introductory Blog: Write about your experience with literary heroes this far – Have you studied heroes in the past?  What heroes have you seen so far this year?  What seem to be common hero traits?

Blog #1: Weave a story around the improvisations you did today using the following complications: the lover is black and the girlfriend is white; there is a significant difference in social background between the two; and of what ethnic origin is the friend? (remember you are commenting on others' blogs too)

Blog #2:

1. Why do Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio hate the man they are discussing?     

2. What reasons does Iago give for continuing to follow his master?                 

3. What kind of person do you expect the man they are discussing to be? How do you imagine him? Count the number of times the word “Moor” is used in I.i. Can you draw any conclusions?

Blog #3:

1. Describe Othello now that we have me him (think about scene ii and iii). Which type of actor would you choose to play the role? Find a picture that resembles your idea of Othello and upload it to our photos                              

2. Iago swears in I.ii.33, “By Janus.” Janus is a Roman 2-faced god. Give examples of Iago’s 2-faced behavior. How might an actor convey this?

3. Desdemona makes her first appearance in this scene. What is your impression of her personality? Quote a couple of lines to support your opinion. If you were a director, what actor, or type of actor, would you cast in the part? Upload to our photos a picture that represents your image of her.

Blog #4: Let's have fun with Shakespeare's language on our own after all of the in-class practice today. Reread the last section of I.iii (301-398), concentrating on Iago’s soliloquy starting at line 377. Now write a loose paraphrase of his speech. Be Iago: use first-person; put his words in natural, modern speech avoiding limp/hackneyed four-letter words; and if need be, be Shakespeare and make up your own very fitting words. Can you capture Iago's powerful language in your own powerful way?

Blog #5: Instead of writing a new blog, read classmates’ blogs and comment specifically on things that taught you something or your found particularly well-done.

Blog #6: Let's explore our thinking now. Start your blog with "I noticed ..." and continue with whatever is striking you about your understanding of this play.  Ask questions if you have them, explore a quote that particularly resonates with you, react to the plot, think about a character ... basically, ponder and share (Remember: "Why must we think?"? Our answer might be: "Because we like to!"). Once you have written your blog, explore your classmates' posts, commenting as the mood strikes you.

Blog #7: What ...?? Answer this :)