Mullen Guided Notes 1

The Power of Language in Othello: The Moor of Venice

GUIDED NOTES
WARM UP:
Language and how individuals express themselves is powerful. How can what people say
reveal about them? What is the affect of studying words, sentences, and tone? Think about
this in regards to literature and understanding characters.
Respond to this prompt in the box below

STYLE:
Similar in style to his , much of Othello is written in .

is a line with metrical feet, featuring unstressed

(short) syllable followed by a (long) syllable.

*Can you recall the poetry unit? This play is written in blank verse!
If you don’t remember, here is a reminder! We all need them
sometimes.
Blank Verse
Unryhmed iambic pentameter, rhythm, BUT
follows a meter.

NOW YOU TRY!

Find an example of blank verse in Act One. Don’t forget to
properly cite!

Great! Now check, does it have 10 syllables?

Did you identify the speaker?
Who are they speaking to, if anyone?
*These are things that you should always make note when
analyzing a play!
**Put check mark after completing each check! 
Mullen Guided Notes 2

LET’S DISCUSS:
BEFORE discussing, what do you think? In the box below answer the questions and
formulate your thoughts. After 3-5 minutes of individual brainstorming, talk with partners!
Leave room in your notes to include an idea they have, or after talking with them, you can
expand on your own thoughts.
When have you felt the power of
language? Describe a personal
experience or one you can
remember in literature.

What was the result of this event?

Good, or bad?

What did it reveal to you about

the persons/characters involved?
What emotions were present?

UNPACKING A SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY

Like other pieces of literature we have discussed, plays have genres as well.
Below are some of the key characteristics of a tragedy:
I. Excruciatingly difficult
II. Accidental circumstances that
III. Intense emotions, , , that affect a
IV. Flawed , plot twists, and psycholgical
V. A tragic hero is a character who is
because of their own

CHARACTERS
Here is a chart where you can reference throughout the unit. You can add to this section as
we move through the play for study purposes (don’t forget the unit exam is cumulative),
or because you simply love Shakespeare and want to better understand his characters! I
have completed the first one for you.
Name Description Picture

Othello Army general, ‘moor,’ and outsider.

Promoted Cassio to lieutenant, secretly
married Desdemona

Desdemona

Iago
 Mullen Guided Notes 3

Emilia

Cassio

Barbantio

NOW YOU TRY…

Now that we have a brief introduction to our characters, skim over Act One and pick a
character who sounds interesting to you. It can be any character, any line, it doesn’t matter.
In the box below, write your quote down. Include the speaker, whom they are speaking to,
and don’t forget to properly cite  (HINT: It should look like this (I, i, line number))
Quote:

Now answer these questions:

What do you think this quote will reveal about them?
What kind of character do you think they will be?

CHARACTERIZATION
In addition to looking at language, we will
There are two (2) kinds of characterization:
1. Direct characterization:
a.
b.
c.
Example:
Othello: “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them,” (I, ii, 59)
Check: Othello is telling us how he feel about violence without explicitly stating “I do
not condone violence.”
2. Indirect characterization:
a.
b.
c.
Example:
Barbantio: “Thou art a villain!”
Iago: “Thou art– a senator!” (Act I)
Mullen Guided Notes 4

Check: Shakespeare is indirectly telling the audience the truth of Barbantio’s

character, he equates being a senator with a villian.
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Use this graphic organizer to do a deep dive on THREE characters. Iago, Othello, and an
additional character of your choice. There is more information on this GO on the Lecture
page on the class website! EXPLAIN

QUOTE

CHARACTER
Mullen Guided Notes 5

WRAP UP! FINAL THOUGHTS, LET’S WRITE ABOUT THIS…

Questions to respond to:
I. How does Shakespeare use language in this play?
II. How can we use language to understand the greater message or moral of the
text? What is being implied?
III. Describe the modes of characterization being used, how do you think that
will affect the outcome of the play?
Write 4-6 sentences. Try to make them complete thoughts, but if we run out of time,
complete this section for homework, and turn it in tomorrow 