Today we will finish presenting the scene analyses and then work on review for the exam.

You will create an outline for one of the three essay topics discussed yesterday and then you will share your outline with a peer and add to your original ideas

1) Jealousy and envy are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. The experience of jealousy involves fear of loss and suspicion or anger about betrayal, while the experience of envy involves a desire to possess another’s qualities and feelings of inferiority. While jealousy and envy have different meanings, they each play an equally destructive role in the lives of individuals. Prove that this statement is true by referring to The Great Gatsby and Othello.

OR

2) One’s fate is often determined by the values, prejudices, and social structures in the world in which they live. Prove that this statement is true by referring to The Great Gatsby and Othello.

OR

3) A tragedy can only be effective if the hero begins as a “great” person—someone who possesses admirable qualities. What are the similar “great” qualities that we find in the tragic heroes of The Great Gatsby (Gatsby) and Othello (Othello).

Dress rehearsals today!

Today is all about rehearsing! I have props and costumes for you to look at. Please use your time well.

Today is all about rehearsing. I’ve brought in some costumes and props for you. Please use your time well. Remember, part of what I’m marking is your preparation, so that includes your rehearsal.

Today’s agenda:

Today is all about your scene presentation/seminars. I want to see that you have finished your scene analysis before you begin rehearsing so make that your priority. Also remember that your work for the scene analysis should be divided evenly. That doesn’t mean you can’t help each other but each person should take responsibility for a specific section of the analysis.

Today we will finish up our group presentations. Then I would like you to take out your anticipation guides from the beginning of the unit and see how your statements may have changed now that you’ve studied the play.

Next, I will introduce the seminar/scene presentation assignment, and you can begin forming your groups and preparing your analyses.

Today we are going to do a jigsaw where you will look closely at a number of big ideas and see how they develop throughout the play. Specifically, we will look at jealousy and envy, prejudice and social structure, Othello as a tragic hero, the role of women, and Iago as a villain.

While we work on that, any student who needs to write the make up spotting test will do so.

Othello Group Work

In your expert group you will attempt to answer one of these BIG IDEAS about Othello. Use support from the text to support your answer. You will present this information in front of the class. Use the data projector to prepare a note for the class.

1) Jealousy and envy: First look up the definitions for these two words. Then go back through the text and explain how jealousy and envy destroy Othello, Roderigo, and Iago. Identify the point at which each of these characters becomes a slave to either jealousy, envy, or both.

2) Prejudice and social structure: To what extent are characters in this play victims of prejudice and a restrictive social structure? Is Othello a victim of racism? Look at the imagery used when Iago and Roderigo alert Brabantio. Is Iago a victim of classism? Look at the reasons why Othello chose Cassio. How does Biance suffer from prejudice?

3) Prove that Othello fits the criteria of a tragic hero. First you will need to look up the criteria for a tragic hero. Then look for evidence from the text to support your answer.

4) The role of women: We have three female characters in this play: Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. What roles do they play? Powerful individual? Angel? Whore? Temptress? Property? What conclusions can you draw about women in Elizabethan society based on this?

5)  Iago as villain: Why did he do it? Go back and look through the reasons Iago provides for his actions? What does he say at the very end? If his excuses don’t seem to be sufficient, what inferences can you make about why Iago does what he does?

Today we’re going to finish watching Othello. Then for the rest of class you’re going to finish your blog posts. I want to review the criteria with you and really get you to focus on the comments. This is half of your mark for this assignment. The purpose behind commenting and replying to comments is to help you deepen your understanding of the play. You learn so much more when you question, and revise your ideas and talk to your classmates than you would if you just took down a note, but if you don’t take part in the process, not only do you miss out on marks, but you miss out on the higher level thinking that will help you on the final exam.

By the way, you guys are doing a great job with this play. You’re asking some great questions and I’m enjoying reading your blog posts. Keep up the great work. You’re almost done!

I’m doing PD today but I’m at the school. I’ll be here for the beginning of class for your memory work.

We finished Act 4 yesterday. Act 5 is awesome! I wish I could be there to read it with you as you discover Othello, Desdemona, and Iago’s fates!

You will read through act 5 with Mr. Ball.

When you are done, get blogging! You can continue to work on your blog post from yesterday. Remember, you must do one of the ones assigned yesterday.

If you’re all caught up, make sure you comment on other students’ posts.

One final blog post topic: What is your reaction to the end of the play?

We will begin with the second day of memory work presentations.

Your paraphrases are due today.

We will watch act IV and then I would like you to blog about one of the following topics:

A: Compare the differing attitudes and situations of Desdemona and Emilia in Act 4? How might you respond to this part of the play as a member of an audience? (Remember to go beyond surface analysis)

B: Do you think Iago has a conscience? Do we have any evidence that he has sympathy for Desdemona? (Remember to go beyond surface analysis)

C: Emilia: She knows the significance of the handkerchief, and while she may not know the extent to which her husband has dissembled, she suspects the he is responsible for Othello’s treatment of Desdemona. She seems to genuinely care for Desdemona. So why doesn’t she say anything? (Remember to go beyond surface analysis)