There are two approaches to writing an essay
Chronological approach:
initially, however, therefore. This can lead to a plot summary and this is not the point of the
essay. We are writing to an informed audience so it is not needed to explain things to them.
Initially:
- What do they value and what are they up against throughout the story
However:
- Epiphany. How do their values change because of the conflict taking place?
Therefore:
- Who do they become at the end of the text? What effect does the conflict have on the
character being written about
AHA Approach:
Start with the realization and then work backwards
Realization:
- What causes the change within them
Initially:
- What leads them to the epiphany
Result:
- Who are they in the end
For the upcoming essay write about either: Find quotes for them
- Othello. Goes from proud and Nobel to jealous and full of self-doubt
- Emila. Goes from letting herself be trash-talked by her husband and be cheated on to
someone who stands up to men no matter the cost.
Quotes to remember:
Initially:
Othello:
- Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his
complaints.’Tis yet to know (which when I know that boasting is an honour I shall
promulgate) I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege and my demerits May
speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune. (Spoken by Othello)
Emelia:
- Come on, Come on! You are pictures out of the door, bells in your parlours, wildcats in
your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, payers in your huswifery and
huswives in your bed. (spoken by Iago, to Emelia showing that she does not stand up to
her husband)
However:
Othello:
- Haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chambers have,
or for that I am decline into the value of years. (spoken by Othello)
, Emila:
- Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak. ‘Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
Perchance Iago I will ne’er go home. (Spoken by Emelia)
Therefore:
Othello:
- Kills Desdemona
Emelia:
- She gets killed by her husband Iago
Practice run:
Unpack the question:
How do people struggle to restore honour to themselves as well as to restore certainty?
Honour: Pride, reputation, who they are as a person and who people see them as
Certainty: How do they feel about themselves and their position in society
Character Connections:
Throughout the play, Othello struggles to restore certainty in his life as well as to be accepted as
an insider instead of being seen as someone who does not belong
Cassio is seen as a pillar of honour to those within the community, the same goes for Iago.
Working or controlled thesis:
When an individual’s honour is put at stake they are willing to go to any extent to
preserve it, even if this preservation comes at the expense of those around them.
Othello goes from being a calm and level-headed guy, but when faced with jealousy and the
thought of not being included in his society he falls apart and ends up killing his wife. Essentially
Othello changes as a person because his core beliefs have been altered.
Essential Questions:
- How do appearance and reality interact in contemporary society
- What is the relationship between appearance, perception and reality
- How and why does a character create two distinct personae- a public and private self
- How do power and social status help shape characters’ interactions in Othello
- What does Othello suggest about the relationship between hubris and tragedy
Thesis:
When an individual’s honour is put at stake they are willing to go to any extent to preserve it,
even if this preservation comes at the expense of those around them.
Othello goes from being a calm and level-headed guy, but when faced with jealousy and the
thought of not being included in his society he falls apart and ends up killing his wife. Essentially
Othello changes as a person because his core beliefs have been altered.
Chronological approach:
initially, however, therefore. This can lead to a plot summary and this is not the point of the
essay. We are writing to an informed audience so it is not needed to explain things to them.
Initially:
- What do they value and what are they up against throughout the story
However:
- Epiphany. How do their values change because of the conflict taking place?
Therefore:
- Who do they become at the end of the text? What effect does the conflict have on the
character being written about
AHA Approach:
Start with the realization and then work backwards
Realization:
- What causes the change within them
Initially:
- What leads them to the epiphany
Result:
- Who are they in the end
For the upcoming essay write about either: Find quotes for them
- Othello. Goes from proud and Nobel to jealous and full of self-doubt
- Emila. Goes from letting herself be trash-talked by her husband and be cheated on to
someone who stands up to men no matter the cost.
Quotes to remember:
Initially:
Othello:
- Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his
complaints.’Tis yet to know (which when I know that boasting is an honour I shall
promulgate) I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege and my demerits May
speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune. (Spoken by Othello)
Emelia:
- Come on, Come on! You are pictures out of the door, bells in your parlours, wildcats in
your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, payers in your huswifery and
huswives in your bed. (spoken by Iago, to Emelia showing that she does not stand up to
her husband)
However:
Othello:
- Haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chambers have,
or for that I am decline into the value of years. (spoken by Othello)
, Emila:
- Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak. ‘Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
Perchance Iago I will ne’er go home. (Spoken by Emelia)
Therefore:
Othello:
- Kills Desdemona
Emelia:
- She gets killed by her husband Iago
Practice run:
Unpack the question:
How do people struggle to restore honour to themselves as well as to restore certainty?
Honour: Pride, reputation, who they are as a person and who people see them as
Certainty: How do they feel about themselves and their position in society
Character Connections:
Throughout the play, Othello struggles to restore certainty in his life as well as to be accepted as
an insider instead of being seen as someone who does not belong
Cassio is seen as a pillar of honour to those within the community, the same goes for Iago.
Working or controlled thesis:
When an individual’s honour is put at stake they are willing to go to any extent to
preserve it, even if this preservation comes at the expense of those around them.
Othello goes from being a calm and level-headed guy, but when faced with jealousy and the
thought of not being included in his society he falls apart and ends up killing his wife. Essentially
Othello changes as a person because his core beliefs have been altered.
Essential Questions:
- How do appearance and reality interact in contemporary society
- What is the relationship between appearance, perception and reality
- How and why does a character create two distinct personae- a public and private self
- How do power and social status help shape characters’ interactions in Othello
- What does Othello suggest about the relationship between hubris and tragedy
Thesis:
When an individual’s honour is put at stake they are willing to go to any extent to preserve it,
even if this preservation comes at the expense of those around them.
Othello goes from being a calm and level-headed guy, but when faced with jealousy and the
thought of not being included in his society he falls apart and ends up killing his wife. Essentially
Othello changes as a person because his core beliefs have been altered.
