Othello-tragic ending

1. 5.2 Othello-tragic ending

2. Major Questions • Who is left standing at the end, why? • In what ways does Emilia become the speaker of truth and at what cost? • Does Othello die with honor? How much of the tragedy is his fault? • Is Othello a tragic hero? • Why the relative silence from Iago at the end of the play? Does he “win”?

3. 5.2-Othello “puts out” Desdemona’s light • Let’s read 5.2 lines • What are the justifications that Othello gives for killing Desdemona at the start of this scene? • Desdemona continues to defend her innocence in this scene, what is different about her words this time? • Why does she say that “nobody” killed her, that “she herself” did the deed? • How can she be so good and innocent and yet blame herself? • Articulate Desdemona’s strengths and weaknesses. • How might the audience’s or reader’s gender and culture influence response to her?

4. After Desdemona’s death… • What does Othello’s language immediately after he kills Desdemona reveal? (lines 115-125) • Identify contrasts in the language of Emilia and Othello (lines 155-177). What is the purpose; what the effect? • What foreshadowing from Act 4 helped lead us to the fact that Emilia would find her voice in Act Five?

5. Emilia certainly “speaks out of door” • Let’s read, 5.2.132-285 (Emilia-lg, Othello-lg, Montano, Iago, Gratiano) • Why does Emilia continue to repeat herself? With which words? • How do Emilia’s final words and acts cause you to feel about her? Why does she get so many golden lines in Act Five? • Without her, how might the ending have been different?

6. Othello-How much of this is his fault? • Othello figures it out, he was tricked into believing that Desdemona was false. How does he try to redeem himself? Is it enough for him to be considered honorable to the audience? To us? • What should he have done differently? What is his fatal flaw?

7. Why should “honor outlive honesty”? • Explore the concept of “honor” in this play? Consider how Othello defines it as something like reputation, whereas Emilia defines it more like a dedication to truth even at the cost of reputation? • Othello says, “an honorable murderer, if you will. For naught I did in hate, but all in honor,” is he allowed to say this? Explain.

8. Othello’s last lines • Let’s hear Othello’s last speech in 5.2 (Othello (md) • This last speech is really important as far as the reader’s overall impression of Othello’s character. Is Othello making excuses for himself here? Who does he compare himself to? What are your thoughts? How does this make you feel?

9. “Spartan Dog” • How do you read the lines, “I bleed sir, but not killed” (338). • Why the lack of words from Iago? “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth, I shall never speak word”(355). • What should be Iago’s punishment? • Does Iago “win”? • Why does Lodovico get the last words in the play?

10. Lots to ponder • Remember that our whole class Socratic will be next class. Be sure to respond to those pre-write questions before the Socratic. They will be your ticket to the discussion. • Final Othello Quiz will be next class also, MC-use the study guide, your journal and notes, your flagged quotes, the first quiz, ect to help you study • You should choose your essay topic and start brainstorming. • Wed 10/31-Socratic and final quiz • Fri 11/2-Focus question share out with the class (see instructions online), Xtra credit activities due, writing brainstorm • Mon 11/5-Thesis and Topic Sentence due • Fri 11/9-complete Rough Draft due • We 11/14-Final draft essay due

11. Sharing your findings on the focus questions • In order to effectively share your findings on your given focus question, we are going to publish them on an online discussion board. • Turnitin can’t do this very well so we are going to use Pro Red: http://www.shsdiscussion.x10.mx • You will need to go to the link, create a login, click on forums, find the correct topic page and add 3 of your best points (clearly articulated) with supporting evidence. • This is due online by 8am

12. Honors (4 groups) Differentiating this play 5th-each person will have a focus group College Prep (3 groups) Timeline-what just happened & what do we predict will happen next? Manipulation-Which character is the most manipulated in this scene/act? By who and how? Kevin, kip, nick Minor characters-what do they add? Adrian, colin Iago’s motives-what are they really? Everyone else! “Virtue into pitch” –How are the characters “virtues” turned into negative qualities and why? Ehrland, ben, kayla Words as weapons-How are words misused and turned to weapons (power of words) olivia, grant, winston, wren Nature imagery-what does it add and how does it operate? Ozgur, Daniel J. Joe

13. Honors (4 groups) Differentiating this play 6th-each person will have a focus group College Prep (3 groups) Timeline-what just happened & what do we predict will happen next? Pierre, bobby, nikki Manipulation-Which character is the most manipulated in this scene/act? By who and how? Ryan, kyle Minor characters-what do they add? Neil, sam Iago’s motives-what are they really? Drew, julia, gray “Virtue into pitch” –How are the characters “virtues” turned into negative qualities and why? Dillon, eugene, clayton Words as weapons-How are words misused and turned to weapons (power of words) phillip, peyton, kate, melissa Nature imagery-what does it add and how does it operate? Amelia, kunaal