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GUIDED READING
Othello: Act 4. scene 1. The Eavesdropping scene
“Is this the nature/Whom passion could not shake?”
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In your reading of this
scene you must consider the following (e.g. relationship between
characters/the contribution this scene makes to the themes of the play):
·
The
relationship between Othello and Iago
·
The
relationship between Desdemona and Othello
·
The
relationship between Othello and Cassio
·
The
relationship between Cassio and Bianco
·
The
contribution this scene makes to the themes of the play
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Important ideas in this
scene include the following (e.g. gender roles/jealousy/seeing and
hearing/power and status/sexuality and possession/magic and mythology etc):
·
Gender
roles
·
Sexuality
and possession
·
Hearing
and seeing
·
Doubt
and certainty
·
Jealousy
and shame
·
Military
values
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Prepare your thoughts on
the following (work your way through the scene) and show how Shakespeare uses
representations of speech and other dramatic devices to present whatever
character, theme or idea you are exploring in each part of this scene:
1.
Lines
1-75 the way Othello reacts to Iago’s insinuations concerning Desdemona’s
honour
2.
Lines
76-174 the role of Iago in providing the ocular proof for Othello
3.
Lines
107-167 the depiction of Cassio’s responses to the love of Bianca
4.
Lines
167-242 the oscillation of Othello’s thoughts and emotions towards Desdemona
5.
Lines
211-277 the portrayal of Lodovico’s views of Othello’s behaviour
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Extension exercises: Review the relationship between Othello and
Desdemona. Identify the language they use to represent each other in the play
so far. Are there significant changes in the imagery used?
Review and evaluate the
language Iago uses to represent Desdemona in the play so far, particularly in
his insinuations to Roderigo, Cassio and Othello. Compare this imagery to
that which is used between the romantic lovers.
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