Elizabethan Renaissance 1485-1625

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• Elizabethan Renaissance1485-1625

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Research

• What would be important for us to know that may
  have an effect on the literature of this period?
• What types of literature are prevalent? How is
  this different than the Medieval period?
  Victorian Period?

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Databases
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Think about this

• Consider someone you love very much.
• What faults are among that persons personality
  traits?
• Write one sentence that explains why you love
  that person anyway.

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Sonnet 130

• My mistress' eyes are nothing like the
  sunCoral is far more red, than her lips redIf
  snow be white, why then her breasts are dunIf
  hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.I
  have seen roses damasked, red and white,But no
  such roses see I in her cheeksAnd in some
  perfumes is there more delightThan in the breath
  that from my mistress reeks.I love to hear her
  speak, yet well I knowThat music hath a far more
  pleasing soundI grant I never saw a goddess go,
  My mistress, when she walks, treads on the
  groundAnd yet by heaven, I think my love as
  rare,As any she belied with false compare.

Is this poem a put-down or a compliment?
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What might a sonnet-writer say about this woman?
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Sonnets
14-line lyric poems with a single theme
Petrarchan Sonnet One octave abba abba and
one sestet cdecde
Spenserian Sonnet One octave abab bcbc
and one sestet cdcdee
Shakespearian Sonnet Three quatrains abab cdcd
efef problem One couplet gg resolves or
restates
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Elizabethan background

• Elizabethans believed that the lived in an
  orderly world based on a grand universal design.
• They imagined that the heavens were so perfectly
  balanced that the planets and stars created a
  glorious music

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Sonnet 75 Spenser, p. 238Sonnet 31 Sydney,
p. 239Sonnet 130 Shakespeare, p. 256
Word? Style? Form? Technique?
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Lie back, relax, and just tell me the first thing
that comes to your mind...

1. Have you ever given in to temptation?
2. Do you believe in prophecies?
3. Do you believe everyone is in a personal battle
   of good versus evil? 
4. How do you decide what is good and what is evil?
5. Do you believe in witches?
6. What is the difference between greed and
   ambition?

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Lie back, relax, and just tell me the first thing
that comes to your mind...

1. Do you believe the adage, "You reap what you
   sow?"
2. You probably would not break your moral code for
   a stranger, but what about for a loved one?
3. If someone prophesied you would become someone of
   importance (i.e.-President, Homecoming
   King/Queen, etc), would you wait for it to happen
   or would you try to make it happen? Explain
4. Do you listen to your conscience?

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Macbeth
A man who wants to be king The obstacles he
faces How he handles those obstacles Cloud of the
supernatural
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Fate, honor, ambition, guilt

• (1)define the concept
• (2) give examples that illustrate it
• (3) list some of the consequences associated
  with it
• (4) your first reaction to the concept.

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Definition
Examples
Early experiences have a profound effect on the
development of the unconscious
I fell in a pool and almost drowned when I was 3
so now I dont swim
Freudianism
Your reaction to the concept
Consequences
Choices are policed by prior experience
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Form

• Shakespearian Sonnet
• Three quatrains abab cdcd efef - problem
• One couplet gg resolves or restates
• often used to end a scene

Blank verse iambic pentameter five poetic feet
of stressed- unstressed syllables sounds the
most like regular speech patterns
Prose used by characters of a lower social
standing
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What reasons can you think of as to why Macbeth
is first introduced to us through the witches .
Explain what you think is meant by the
paradoxical  Fair is foul, foul is fair .
Act I Three witches Macbeth is victorious in
battle against Norwegians Witches prophesy to
Macbeth and Banquo Lady Macbeth becomes involved
in helping the prophesy to become manifest
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Equivocation

• Opposites are equated
• Often becomes difficult to differentiate between
  the two

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Scene 2
What impression do you gain of Macbeth from this
description? The Thane of Cawdor was obviously
a traitor. What does Duncan's comment No more
that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom
interest suggest about Duncan's former
relationship with him? Given the fact that
Macbeth was first mentioned by the witches, the
idea of fair is foul, foul is fair was introduced
in scene one and that Duncan was deceived by
Cawdor, to what extent are you prepared to accept
at face value the assessment of Macbeth as brave
and noble?

• The King gets an update on what happened in the
  battle against the Norwegians.
• He learns that Macbeth slew the oppositions
  leader and that the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor
• He decrees that Macbeth is now the Thane of Cawdor

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Scene 3

• What does this episode suggest about the extent
  and the limits of the witches powers?
• Macbeth's entry is a shock because his first
  words echo those of the witches in scene one So
  foul and fair a day I have not seen. What might
  this mean in a literal sense?
• What effect does it have on our initial response
  to Macbeth?
• Analyze Banquo's reaction to their prophesy
  regarding Macbeth.
• What does he suggest about Macbeth's reaction?
• What is significant about his use of the words
  fear and fair in this context?
• What does his challenge to the witches suggest
  about his character?

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• How does Banquo react to the news Ross and Angus
  bring?
• Macbeth's reaction takes the form of a metaphor
  why do you dress me In borrowed robesExplain
  this metaphor. The clothes metaphor is used
  throughout the play. Pay careful attention to how
  and why it is used whenever you come across it.
• Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction
  to the prophecies? What does this warning suggest
  about Banquo's understanding of Macbeth's
  character and ambitions? Paraphrase this warning.
  
• Macbeth's response comes in the form of a
  soliloquy.(A speech which reflects the thoughts
  of a character. It is heard by the audience but
  not by the other characters in the play.)
• Carefully read from the start of Macbeth's
  soliloquy to the end of the scene. Paraphrase
  this soliloquy.
• What does the soliloquy suggest about Macbeth's
  state of mind?
• What decision does Macbeth come to?
• Explain Banquo's use of a clothing metaphor.

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Scene 4
How does Duncan's comment There's no art  find
the mind's construction in the face reflect the
fair is foul theme? What does Duncan say to
each of Macbeth and Banquo? How does each
respond? How does Macbeth react to the naming
of Malcolm as heir to the throne? What does
Macbeth mean when he says Stars hide your
fires Let not light see my black and deep
desires The eye wink at the hand yet let that
be  What the eye fears, when it is done, to see?
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Scene 5 7 The Lady and her Man

• What does the tone of Macbeth's letter suggest
  about his relationship with her? Explain her
  assessment of Macbeth and his ambition.
• How does she see her role? 
• Carefully read her " unsex me" soliloquy. a)
  What is she attempting to do?
• b) What do the lines Come thick night, and
  pall the in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my
  keen knife see not the wound it makes,  Nor
  heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, 
  To cry 'Hold hold!' suggest about her
  psychological state?

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• Carefully read Macbeth's soliloquy in scene 7.
  a) What does he mean byIf it were done when
  'tis done ,then 'twere well It were done
  quickly. If th' assassination Could trammel up
  the consequence, and catch, With his surcease,
  success that but this blow Might be the be-all
  and end-all-here, But here, upon this bank and
  shoal of time,  We'd jump the life to come. ?
• b) What arguments does he provide against the
  assassination?
• c) What motive does he provide for the murder?
• d) Analyze Lady Macbeth's response to his
  declaration that he will proceed no further in
  the business. What tactics does she use to
  persuade him? What does the tone of her attack
  upon him suggest about her psychological state?
  What is it that finally persuades him?

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Strands/Motifs thusfar

• Clothing
• Fair is foul

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Interdisciplinary connections

• Identify a person in history that is similar to
  Macbeth or Lady Macbeth
• Explain your choice with specific details
• Intro paragraph with specific thesis
• ACE body paragraph structure

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Act II

• Macbeth prepares to kill Duncan
• Lady Macbeth continues to emasculate her husband
• The world begins to reflect the evil that has
  taken place
• Elizabethans believed that the lived in an
  orderly world based on a grand universal
  design.
• They imagined that the heavens were so
  perfectly balanced that the planets and stars
  created a glorious music

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• Examine the dialogue between Macbeth and Banquo
  at the start of the scene. How would you describe
  Macbeth's state of mind? In what ways is he
  different to the man we saw at the end of Act
  One?
• Read the "Is this a dagger..." soliloquy
  carefully. Paraphrase the soliloquy. How does
  this speech use imagery of light and darkness?
• Choose three metaphors from the speech and
  explore how they are used. In what ways does this
  soliloquy represent an apparent change in
  Macbeth?

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• Do you believe everything you hear?

How important is a gift on Valentines Day?
How do you react when someone disappoints you?
Are you the jealous type?
Are bi-racial relationships riddled with
problems?
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Cultural Rules
10 min

• In groups of three, discuss these questions?

What rules dictate the behavior of young men and
women in relationships today? Name a situation
where the rules have CLEARLY been violated what
are things that nice girls just dont do? What
are things that nice boys just dont do? Why do
these rules exists? Are they local, regional,
country-wide, world-wide? What is the consequence
for breaking these rules?
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Judging from the research you did and the
questions from today, make some EDUCATED
predictions about The Tragedy of Othello. Then
list any questions that come to mind when you
look at all your information.
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Othello writing assignment 1

• Write about a time when you were jealous of
  someone.
• How did you feel?
• How did you react to this person?
• What do you wish you could change about your
  reactions?
• One page response due tomorrow

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The Tragedy of Othello

• Othello, the Moor protagonist
• Iago Othellos soldier
• Cassio Othellos soldier
• Desdemona Othellos love
• Brabantio Desdemonas father
• Roderigo Iagos friend

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Act I

• 1. What was Iago's complaint in Scene I?
• 2. Who was Brabantio, and why did Iago and
  Roderigo awaken him in the middle of the night?
• 3. Why did Iago leave Roderigo at Brabantio's
  house?
• 4. What was Brabantio's reaction to Othello's
  marriage to Desdemona?
• 5. Why did the Duke send for Othello?
• 6. Brabantio complains to the Duke about
  Othello's marriage to Desdemona. After listening
  to both sides of the story, what was the Duke's
  reply?
• 7. What was Roderigo's complaint, and what was
  Iago's reply to it?

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Soap Opera cliffhanger
Create a cliffhanger to summarize Act I. Be sure
to include actions, motivations and predictions.
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Line study - Homework

• Find lines that express these emotions

Bitter Loving Angry Hurt Insulted
Sad Resigned Cautioning Disgusted Hateful
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Act II - quiz

• 1. Why did Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio?
• 2. What was the purpose of Iago's plan?
• 3. Why did Iago want Cassio to drink more wine?
• 4. What lie did Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
• 5. Why did Othello strip Cassio of his rank?
• 6. Why did Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for
  help in restoring Othello's faith in Cassio?

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Act II

• 1. Why did Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio? So
  he will fight
• 2. What was the purpose of Iago's plan? To
  disgrace Cassio and cause him to loose his
  position that Iago believes is rightfully his
• 3. Why did Iago want Cassio to drink more wine?
  So Cassio will get drunk and Iago can follow his
  plan
• 4. What lie did Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
  That Cassio has a drinking problem and he has too
  much responsibility to maintain with that kind of
  personal issue
• 5. Why did Othello strip Cassio of his rank?
  Mutiny
• 6. Why did Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for
  help in restoring Othello's faith in Cassio? So
  that Cassio would be seen talking to Desdemona
  and he could then continue to weave his web of
  deception

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Character Analysis

• Iago
• How is he described?
• What are his actions?
• What are the motivations for those actions?
• How do others respond to those actions?
• What conflicts does he face?

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Rhetorical Study of Iago

• How does Iago use language to deceive others?
  Find examples of his useage of the following
  literary terms
• appeals to reason, emotions, and character
  (logos, pathos, ethos) metaphor
  intimidation repetition (of specific words and
  ideas) imagery leading questions

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Act III Scenes 1 and 2

• Iago tells Cassio that he will fix it so that
  Emilia will distract Othello so that Cassio can
  talk to Desdemona about getting his position
  back.
• Desdemona has pleaded to her husband for Cassio,
  but Othello fears that Montanos influence will
  not permit him to reinstate Cassio.

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Act III Scene 3
1. Why didn't Iago simply tell Othello right away
that Desdemona and Cassio were having an
affair? 2. What thing did Emilia find and give to
Iago? What did Iago intend to do with it? 3. What
was Iago's reply when Othello demanded proof of
his wife's disloyalty? 4. What did Othello decide
and command at the end of Scene III? 5. What was
Emilia's relationship with Iago? Desdemona? 6.
Who had the handkerchief at the end of Act III?
Why?
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Act IV

• Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemonas
  behavior, but Emilia 1._______________________ .
  Othello tells Emilia to summon Desdemona,
  implying while Emilia is gone that she is a
  bawd, or female pimp (IV.ii.21). When Emilia
  returns with Desdemona, Othello sends Emilia to
  guard the door. Alone with Desdemona, Othello
  weeps and 2.______________________________
• ______. When Desdemona fervently denies being
  unfaithful, Othello sarcastically replies that he
  begs her pardon he took her for the cunning
  whore of Venice who married Othello (IV.ii.93).
  Othello storms out of the room, and Emilia comes
  in to comfort her mistress. Desdemona tells
  Emilia to lay her wedding sheets on the bed for
  that night.

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• At Desdemonas request, Emilia brings in Iago,
  and Desdemona tries to find out from
  3._________________________________.
• Emilia says to her husband that Othello must
  have been deceived by some villain, the same sort
  of villain who made Iago suspect
  4.________________________________________________
  _. Iago assures Desdemona that Othello is merely
  upset by some official business, and a trumpet
  flourish calls Emilia and Desdemona away to
  dinner with the Venetian emissaries.

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• Roderigo enters, furious that he is still
  frustrated in his love, and ready to make himself
  known in his suit to Desdemona so that she might
  return all of the jewels that Iago was supposed
  to have given her from him. Iago tells Roderigo
  that Cassio is being assigned to Othellos place.
  Iago also lies, saying that Othello is being sent
  to Mauritania, in Africa, although he is really
  being sent back to Venice. He tells Roderigo that
  the only way to prevent Othello from taking
  Desdemona away to Africa with him would be to 5.
  ________________________________

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How important is your reputation?

• Reputation is an idle and most
• false imposition, oft got without
• merit and lost without deserving.

Discuss the importance of this quote to the play
thus far
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Act V

• 1. How would Iago gain from Roderigo's death?
  Cassio's?
• 2. What happened when Cassio and Roderigo fought?
• 3. What did Iago do after he wounded Cassio?
• 4. How was Desdemona faithful to Othello to the
  end?
• 5. What was Emilia's reaction when Othello told
  her that Iago had revealed Desdemona's affair
  with Cassio to him?
• 6. Who told the truth about Iago?
• 7. What happened to Othello, Iago and Cassio in
  the end?

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Theme

• Choose three major themes in Othello
• Choose three major conflicts in Othello

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Are any of these thematic strands present?

• The Struggle between Good and Evil?
• Determinism vs. Free Will?
• The Nature of Heroism?
• Friendship?
• Common People vs. the Elite?

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Peeling Away Layers of Meaning Find lines or
passages that illuminate the following

1. The pathology of the evil personThe anatomic or
   functional manifestations of..
2. How militarism affects characters and events
3. The role of racism throughout the play
4. The treatment of women
5. How colonialism affects characters and events
6. Building and destroying reputations in the play

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• Find a newspaper article that reflects the
• same types of situations as Othello.
• nytimes.com
• onlinenewspapers.com