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Othello – Group Presentation Assignment (In-class)

Instructions

Each group will prepare a 5–7 minute presentation. Structure your presentation with:

  1. Introduction – explain the question in your own words and why it matters in the play.
  2. Development – present your main points, using evidence from the play to support them.
  3. Conclusion – sum up your group’s answer clearly.

Always back up your ideas with examples from the play, with quotes (Act number, Scene number, Line number)

  • If the question involves a change → show before and after.
  • If the question has two sides/meanings → show both.
  • If the question involves different characters → give one example for each.

Presentations

  • Each group member should speak at least briefly.
  • Use at least two quotations and scene references per question.
  • End with a clear conclusion sentence (e.g., “This shows Othello collapses under hidden attacks because ...”)

Group 1: Two Different Attacks on Othello

Your Task: Compare how Othello responds to two similar accusations:

  1. Brabantio directly accuses him of stealing Desdemona through witchcraft
  2. Iago indirectly suggests that Desdemona is unfaithful

Question: Why does Othello handle Brabantio's direct attack calmly and confidently, but fall apart when Iago makes indirect suggestions? Explain the difference in his responses.

Key Evidence to Use:

  • Othello's speech defending himself to the Duke (Act 1, Scene 3)
  • Othello's breakdown after Iago's hints (Act 3, Scene 3)

Group 2: Othello's Claim of "Honorable Murder"

Background Quote: When asked to explain himself, Othello says: "Why, anything: An honorable murderer, if you will; For naught I did in hate, but all in honor" (Act 5, Scene 2).

Your Task: Analyze Othello's claim that he killed Desdemona for "honor," not hate.

Question: Is Othello telling the truth about his motives? What feelings and reasons actually drove him to kill his wife?

Key Evidence to Use:

  • His final speech in Act 5, Scene 2
  • Earlier moments showing his emotions and motivations throughout the play

Group 3: Good vs. Evil

Background Idea: Some critics say Othello works like a medieval morality play where:

  • Othello = Everyman (ordinary person)
  • Iago = The Devil (or The Vice, tempting him to evil)
  • Desdemona = An Angel (trying to save him)

Your Task: Evaluate this interpretation.

Question: How well does this "good vs. evil battle for the soul" idea explain what happens in the play? What evidence supports or contradicts this view?

Key Evidence to Use:

  • Examples of Iago tempting/manipulating Othello
  • Examples of Desdemona trying to help or defend others
  • Othello's choices between good and evil

Group 4: Othello's Changing Speech

Your Task: Track how Othello's way of speaking changes throughout the play.

Question: How does Othello's language reflect his changing mental and emotional state? What do the changes in his speech patterns tell us about what's happening to him?

Key Evidence to Use:

  • His elegant, controlled speech early in the play (Act 1, Scene 3)
  • His broken, confused speech later (Act 4, Scene 1)
  • Compare vocabulary, sentence structure, and tone

Group 5: Different Types of Jealousy

Your Task: Examine how jealousy affects different characters.

Question: How does jealousy take different forms in Iago, Roderigo, Bianca, and Othello? (Possibly even Brabantio's reaction to losing his daughter) What does this tell us about jealousy?

Key Evidence to Use:

  • Othello's jealousy speeches (Act 3, Scene 3)
  • Iago's explanations of his resentment (Act 1)
  • Roderigo's complaints about losing Desdemona
  • Bianca's suspicions about Cassio (Act 4, Scene 1)

Group 6: Appearance vs. Reality

Background Quote: Iago says "Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!"

Your Task: Examine the gap between how characters appear and who they really are.

Question: How do Iago, Cassio, and Desdemona each show the difference between "being" and "seeming"? Why do other characters get fooled by appearances?

Key Evidence to Use:

  • Iago appearing loyal while being treacherous
  • Cassio's reputation vs. his actual behavior
  • Desdemona appearing guilty while being innocent

Group 7: The Role of Race

Background Quote: Othello's blackness, his thick lips, his identity as a Moor are highly interesting particulars, but they are not central to the Moor's tragedy.

Your Task: Evaluate this statement about Othello's race.

Question: Do you agree that Othello's race is not central to his tragedy? Present evidence for both sides - why race matters AND why it might not be the main cause of his downfall.

Key Evidence to Use:

  • Racist language and attitudes in the play
  • Universal themes like jealousy, trust, and manipulation
  • Consider what would change if Othello were white