Act+Three


 * Synopsis**

This is the act in which Iago begins his campaign to turn Othello mad with jealousy. Othello first appears in Scene Two and he does so in his capacity as a general: //These letters give, Iago, to the pilot, And by him do my duties to the senate. (3,2, 1-2) By the end of the act Othello is half crazed: Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives. (3,4, 85)

In short, Iago sets up the idea that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair and puts this idea in Othello's head by saying: Ha! I like not that (3,3, 34) Iago is referring to the fact that he and Othello walk in on Desdemona and Cassio talking. Cassio is appealing to Desdemona to talk to Othello on his behalf. She says that she will make the appeal and then Cassio leaves the stage. This is the first seed of poison.

Iago's next mission is to claim that he saw Cassio with the love token handkerchief Othello had given to Desdemona. Iago coerces his wife, Emilia, into procuring the handkerchief so that he may provide Othello with ocular proof.

Before this act is read ask the class to each write a question down about Act 3, something that will focus their reading and something they will be able to answer after the reading. Collect all the questions in a box. Then ask for volunteers to pick a question and to read it to the class. Students are to attempt a predictive answer to the questions prior to reading the act.Once the act had been read the questions can be answered again, and this time with knowledge.
 * Focus Questions

Stopping points should be arranged according to the answering of the questions. That is, once the text enables an answer the reading should stop to discuss the question and perhaps compare the predicted answer with the knowledgeable one.

Stopping points should also be allowed to occur when a student has a query or wants to point out or discuss any particular lines, such as a strong image.

Lesson** Pre- reading Activities // Focussing Questions Reading Strategies Key Teaching Points Post- reading Activities
 * Show trailer to the movie //O//
 * Brainstorm in pairs what themes/ issues the students have identified in //O//
 * Prediction of ending
 * Look at some news stories about crimes of passion
 * How does Iago poison Othello's mind?
 * What imagery is prevalent in Act 3? What effect does this have?
 * How does Othello's experience as an outsider contribute to his faith in Iago?
 * Why does Othello not believe Desdemona?
 * Why does Emilia aid Iago with no apparent qualms?
 * Listening to the BBC version, without watching, but following the text
 * Watching the Kenneth Branagh version
 * Role play in small groups
 * revealing the characters
 * answers to questions
 * collecting of quotations
 * awareness of language, how its used and its effects
 * timeline of Othello's mood
 * timeline of Iago's treachery
 * unpacking of the handkerchief and its significance
 * ideas of truth
 * looking at literary criticism
 * Static image
 * Making up of quizzes
 * Hotseats
 * Making of a trailer