[the] ENGLISH-BLOG [.com]

. . . please see the entries below.

---------------------------------------

Image Source: http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/d/dc/350px-Othello_6_lg.gif

*FROM: 5 November 2008

ENG 225 Students:

Receive the number of your quiz question by attending today's class. Answer YOUR quiz question (not one that you didn't sign up for) in the comment box below. As usual, please acknowledge the course syllabus on the course policy for assignments submitted after the deadline (not accepted). Technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse. SLU has a student technology center paid for by your student fees.

Reading-Check Questions: Othello, The Moor of Venice, Act V

 INSTRUCTIONS: Before our next class meeting, enter the answer to the question you registered for on the attendance sheet (first, re-type the question) and submit digitally to BOTH turnitin.com and the English-blog (this is a quiz). You should show evidence/verification in your answer by using our text and incorporating page numbers and line numbers into your answer. To get credit for your answer, use specific examples and quotations.

1.      In Act V, how would Iago gain from Roderigo’s death? Cassio’s?

2.      In Act V, what happens when Roderigo attacks Cassio?  Who actually wounds Cassio: also answer when and why? 

3.      In Act V, why, when, and how does Iago stab Roderigo? What is the outcome?

4.      In Act V, how, when, and why does Othello come to think that Iago has kept his vow?

5.      In Act V, after Bianca appears, what new part of his plot does Iago begin Scene 1?

6.      In Act V, who will get the blame for the attack on Cassio if Iago has his way? Explain.

7.      In Act V, what justification does Othello try to give the murder of Desdemona in Scene 2?

8.      In Act V, how, when, and why does Othello kill Desdemona?  What interruption occurs while he is doing it?

9.      In Act V, whom does Desdemona blame for her death?  Does Emilia believe her? Why or why not?

10.    In Act V, is Desdemona faithful to Othello to the end? If so, how?

11.    In Act V, what happens when Iago tells his wife not to speak and to go home, orders which good Renaissance wives should follow without question? Is she compliant? Why or why not?

12.    In Act V, what is Emilia’s reaction when Othello tells her that Iago has revealed Desdemona's affair with Cassio to him? Explain.

13.    In Act V, what is Othello finally beginning to realize in Scene 2?  What has happened to Desdemona’s father? Explain.

14.    In Act V, does Othello eventually show a change of heart towards Desdemona? If so, when and at what point? Explain.

15.    In Act V, why, when, and how does Othello attack Iago? Explain the context.

16.    In Act V, does Othello have a reaction to having his sword taken away? If so, what is it? Explain.

17.    In Act V, how, when, and why does Othello use the second sword his finds in the room? Explain.

18.    In Act V, how, when, and why do Roderigo’s “pockets” conveniently help to clarify much of what has happened? Explain the context.

19.    In Act V, what function does the presence of the characters Lodovico and Gratiano serve? Who are they and why are they there? What do they learn and what do they reveal?

20.    In Act V, what happens to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end? How are all the plots and schemes revealed at the end of the play?

21.    In Act V, does anyone inherit Othello’s estate?  If so, who? Also answer why or why not. Is this a “just” conclusion? Explain.

Because I will take the top 10 quiz scores for your final quiz grade when I tally your final grade for the course, I am graciously giving you take-home/open-book quizzes. However, if I get the feeling that you are not doing the readings or participating in the class discussions, I will re-institute the quizzes as I normally do them--in other words, you WON'T know the questions in advance. Our next class meeting will be an open class discussion of Othello. If you haven't read it yet, you had better by the next class meeting. Come read and prepared to discuss the questions as a class. The next work is the Epic of Son-Jara. You should get a head-start on reading it and being prepared for the quiz that group 1 will give in class. Their quiz will count the same as if it were a quiz I would give. Based on your history of absences, quiz scores and paper scores, for several of you, NOW Is not the time to start blowing off the course if you still expect to pass to course. Please keep this in mind as we push toward the end of the semester and the final exam. I will draw upon the material given in the presentations for the final exam as well as anything we have covered thus far since the mid-term.

See you in class,

Dr. Hobbs

-----------------------------------------

*FROM*: 3 November 2008

ENG 225 Students,

Per your instructions from today's meeting submit your quiz in the comment box below. Please see the course syllabus on the course policy for assignments submitted after the deadline (not accepted). Technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse. SLU has a student technology center paid for by your student fees.

Reading-Check Questions: Othello, The Moor of Venice, Act IV

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Before our next class meeting, enter the answer to the question you registered for on the attendance sheet (first, re-type the question) and submit digitally to BOTH turnitin.com and the English-blog (this is a quiz). You should show evidence/verification in your answer by using our text and incorporating page numbers and line numbers into your answer. To get credit for your answer, use specific examples and quotations.

 

1.      In Act IV, Scene 2, how does Desdemona react to the accusations of Othello?

2.      In Act IV, Scene 1, lines 238-62, why is the character Lodovico introduced into the action? What purpose does this character serve in the plot development?

3.      In Act III, Iago used one clever bit of “evidence” to suggest that Desdemona was being unfaithful.  In Act IV, what circumstantial evidence is now ADDED to Othello’s case against Desdemona?

4.      In Act IV, what is the significance of Bianca’s flinging the handkerchief at Cassio just when Othello is looking on?  How plausible do you find Bianca’s act to be?  Why or why not?.

5.      Now that you’ve read Act IV, explain the overall significance of the handkerchief in this play.  We already know why the handkerchief is important to Othello.  The question now is: why is it so important to how the play works?  What does it represent? What suggestions or hints does it contain?

6.      In Act IV, Scene 2, lines 33-92, what prevents Othello from being moved by Desdemona’s appeal?

7.      When Roderigo grows impatient with Iago, in Act IV, Scene 2, lines 182-202, how does Iago make use of his fellow plotter’s discontent?

8.      In Act IV, Scene 3, what does the conversation between Emilia and Desdemona tell us about the nature of each?

9.      In Act IV, which scenes (or speeches) contain memorable examples of dramatic irony? (if you are STILL unfamiliar with what dramatic irony is, you need to take time refresh your memory).

10.   In Act IV, how does Othello react to Iago’s images of infidelity?

11.   In Act IV, why does Iago speak to Cassio about Bianca?

12.   Explain how the handkerchief has increased in significance in Act IV than it has from the previous Acts.

13.   First, consider/recall the behavior of Othello in Acts I to III  Now, in Act IV, how has Othello changed up to this point in the play?

14.   Explain the difference in the relationship between Desdemona and Othello in Act IV compared to when they first arrived in Cyprus in Act II.

15.   In Act IV, why is Emilia’s belief about what is causing Othello’s behavior ironic?

16.   In Act IV, what clue does Emilia offer about Iago’s own jealousy?

17.   In Act IV, why is Roderigo annoyed at Iago?

18.   In Act IV, scene 1, who is the first person in the play to figure out Iago’s duplicity?  How is Iago able to manipulate this person, even after the truth is known?

19.   Where in Act IV,  Scene 2, does Desdemona finally start to fight back?  Explain her physical reaction right after Othello exits in about line 99?

20.   According to Othello, what’s the worst part of being a cuckold as revealed in Act IV?

The Reading-Check (Quiz) for today's quiz/reading-check on Act IV of Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare drew from questions at these study-guide resources (consider studying the questions from Acts V for a future activity:

Diablo Valley College: Dr. W. Harlan’s “English 154 - Shakespeare and His World” Course Study Questions - http://www.srvc.net/engl154/html_files/OtheStudyQuest.htm

(and)

eNotes – http://www.enotes.com/othello/act-iv-scenes-1-3-questions-answers

(and)

Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia, eds. “Questions.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 5th Compact ed. New York: Longman, 2007. 1038-39.

*Since so many of you expressed that you liked the Laurence Fishbourne portrayal of Othello the best (the most recently made "Hollywood" version), I thought you might enjoy seeing this two-minute clip from the Act IV. It is the so-called "slap-scene" of Act IV where Othello "wigs out" on Desdemona. [I saw many of you flinch when the Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal Lector!) version of Othello slapped Desdemona in the BBC version we screened in class].

Here is the same scene from the much older, black-and-white version with Orson Welles as Othello (the version we will watch Act V for on Wednesday):

See you Wednesday as we wrap up our screening and begin our discussion of Othello. Be prepared to have something to say. You've seen many versions of how Othello has been portrayed. Which is most important for the academic (what YOU are now)--versions which try to stay as close to the original as possible or versions which water themselves down so that they can be more "palatable" for typically unread, American audiences? I'm also interested in your opinions on the apparent racism in the play. Is Shakespeare racist or is he merely depicting racism of his time in Renaissance England (or, of early Renaissance Italy?). What do you think about the director's choice to cast non-African actors in black-face makeup to play Othello? Does this add or detract from the play? Does it possibly emphasize certain "points" that having an African-American actor such as Fishbourne cannot?

We will discuss these issues and more soon.

Dr. Hobbs
-------------------

*FROM*: 31 October 2008

Students,

Per your instructions from today's meeting, submit your quiz in the comment box below. The questions are repeated here. [NOTE: Please see the course syllabus on the course policy for assignments submitted after the deadline (not accepted). Technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse. SLU has a student technology center paid for by your student fees.]

Reading-Check Questions: Othello, The Moor of Venice, Act III

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Before our next class meeting, enter the answer to the exact question you registered for on today’s attendance sheet (first, re-type the question) and submit digitally to BOTH turnitin.com and the English-blog (this is a quiz). You should show evidence/verification in your answer by using our text and incorporating page numbers and line numbers into your answer.

 

1.     In scene 1 of Act III, why does Cassio bring musicians? What is Othello’s response to them?

2.     Who is Emilia?  In scene 1 of Act III, what arrangements does she make for Cassio?

3.     In Act III, Scene 3, what is ironic about Emilia’s comments at the beginning of this scene?

4.     In Act III, Scene 3, what does Desdemona promise Cassio?

5.     In Act III, Scene 3, how does Iago begin planting the first seeds of jealousy in Othello?

6.     Act III, Scene 3, what does Othello agree to do for Desdemona?

7.     Act III, Scene 3, after Desdemona leaves, how does Iago begin anew to raise Othello’s suspicions about Cassio?

8.     When Iago raises the issue of jealousy in Act III, Scene 3, what does Othello say?  How does Iago then respond?

9.     In Act III, Scene 3, why does Iago say, “I see this hath a little dashed your spirits,” and then twice, “I (do) see you are moved”?

10.  In Act III, Scene 3, after Iago finally departs, what does Othello’s soliloquy show about his suspicions?  In other words, once Iago leaves, what do Othello’s next remarks reveal about his thoughts?

11.  In Act III, Scene 3, what does Emilia do after Othello and Desdemona depart?  What does her brief soliloquy (look up this word if you do not know it!) reveal about Iago?

12.  What does Iago reveal in his brief soliloquy (look up this word if you still do not know it!) in Act III, Scene 3?

13.  In Act III, Scene 3, what attitude does Othello take upon returning to Iago (after has already left him once before in the scene)?

14.  In Act III, Scene 3, how does Othello threaten Iago?   How does Iago respond?

15.  In Act III, Scene 3, what are two specific pieces of evidence that Iago cites to cast suspicion on Cassio?

16.  Act III, what does Othello command Iago to do at the end of Scene 3?

17.  In Act III, Scene 4, Why does Othello insist that Desdemona present the handkerchief?

18.  What are two examples of “dramatic irony” (we have discussed this concept in our earlier class lectures—look it up if you still don’t understand it) in Desdemona and Emilia’s conversation in Act III, Scene 4.

19.  What is Emilia’s view of men (see lines 98-102 of Act III, Scene 4)?  How justified are her beliefs?

20.  In Act III, what important information is revealed in Cassio and Bianca’s conversation that ends Scene 4?

The Reading-Check (Quiz) for today's quiz/reading-check on Act III of Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare drew from questions at these two study-guide sites (consider studying the questions from Acts IV-V for a future activity:

Clayton State University - http://a-s.clayton.edu/walkup/1102%20Online/1102%20Online/othelloIII&IV.htm

(and)

Instructor Cindy Adams’s “Studyguide.Org” – http://www.studyguide.org/othello.htm

Youtube user "miscellus" presents an extract from the filmed version of Act III with Sir Laurence Olivier as Othello that "starts with Act 3, scene 3, line 245 "Why did I Marry" to Iago's line (376) "Are you a man? Have you a soul, or sense?"

To see Anthony Hopkins do scene 3, lines 337 to the end of Scene 3, Act III. where Othello enters "Ha!, False to me! to me!" and Iago plants stories of Cassio and the handkerchief, see the youtube clip below from user "ShakespeareandMore:

Happy Halloween,

Dr. Hobbs
______________________________

*FROM*: 29 October 2008

ENG 225 Students,

I hope you enjoyed watching the cinematic version of Othello, Act II as portrayed by actors Laurence Fishbourne as Othello and Kenneth Branaugh as Iago.

Your homework tonight is to answer YOUR question from the in-class discussion today in the comment box below. Start by re-typing your question. Then write about a paragraph to fully answer your question. You can skip Turnitin.com on this one (although I will record the grades for your in-class reading checks on turnitin.com--nothing for you to submit there).

In-Class Discussion Questions for Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice

 

1.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
Describe how Cassio acts when he lands at Cyprus, especially when Desdemona comes ashore. (lines 42-97)

 

2.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
What do the Cypriots (those from Cypress) think of Othello?  Do their words (in Scene 1) make him seem to us a lesser man or a larger one?

 

3.     Othello, Act III, Scene 1

Why does Iago verbally
attack his wife (Emilia) at lines 99-110? 
What cruelty does Iago display toward her?  How well founded is his distrust of his wife’s fidelity?

 

4.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
According to Iago what is all that the most accomplished woman in the world is good for?  (lines 146-158)

 

5.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
Explain what Iago is talking about at lines 165-172.

 

6.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1

How does Iago convince
Roderigo that Cassio is in love with Desdemona? (lines 215-245)

 

7.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
In Act I, Scene 3 we heard how Othello's life story helped win the love of Desdemona.  In Act II, Scene 1, lines 220-225 we learn Iago's reaction to the same story.  What is it?

 

8.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
At the end of this scene, Iago gives a second reason for hating Othello (the first was because he was not promoted by Othello to Lieutenant).  What is the second reason?

 

9.     Othello, Act II, Scene 3

In lines 12 -29, what
is Iago trying to get Cassio to do? 
Why?

 

10.  Othello, Act II, Scene 3
In Act II, scene 3, line 221, Othello speaks of Iago’s “honesty and love.”  How do you account for Othello’s being so totally deceived?

 

11.  Othello, Act II, Scene 3
For what major events does the merrymaking (proclaimed in Scene 2) give opportunity?

 

In-Class “Reading Check” Questions for Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice

 

·      Where does Act II, Scene 1 take place?

 

·      In Act II, what news does Othello bring regarding the Turks?

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"Tis monstrous.  Iago, who began't?"

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"Out general's wife is now the general [...] Confess yourself freely to her."

 

·      In Act II, how does Iago convince Roderigo that Cassio must be dishonored and "removed"?

 

·      In Act II, explain how Iago engineered Cassio’s disgrace.

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?

"...I love thee; But never more be officer of mine."

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"So will I turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her own goodness make the net / That shall enmesh them all."

 

*For the Questions from ACT I, please see them reprinted in the FIRST COMMENT below:

~Dr. Hobbs