Othello+Group+Project

Mythological Allusions are present in all Shakespeare plays. These references to mythological stories would be well known by Shakespeare’s audience at this time.
 * Othello Analysis Research Directions**

Understanding allusions will allow you to understand the meaning of the line ten times over. First, look for a mythological allusion. Learn the story of the reference. Then, apply this ‘better’ understanding to the scene. Perhaps this reference says something about the speaker or someone else. Sometimes, the reference is meant to foreshadow or predict. And finally, sometimes the reference is meant to emphasize one of the themes of the play.

For your presentation, you will have to add a picture, the line from the play, and an analysis of how understanding this mythological allusion will lead readers to a deeper understanding of the play.

Othello sparks many conversations about the religious lessons emphasized in Othello. As you move through the play, it is clear that Shakespeare uses references about the devil and hell because he knows his audience is well educated about the rules of living a good ‘Christian life’. But could this play have more parallels within the pages about that echo biblical scenes or characters?
 * A Religious Lesson?**

Make sure you look into the word ‘Moor’ and since Othello if often called ‘The Moor’, consider who Othello represents.

The argument regarding who wrote Shakespeare’s plays is one of the most famous conversations in modern history. Your group will decide whether Shakespeare deserves credit for this work after reading this play written forty years before Shakespeare. Your group is responsible for presenting your strongest reactions about this interesting find. Also, your group does not have to entirely agree. A contrast would really get the class thinking.
 * Is Shakespeare the true author?**

[|http://virgil.org/dswo/courses/shakespeare-survey/cinthio.pdf]

The following essay was circulated in 1600 and very well may have helped Shakespeare shape his character, Othello. After reading this old English essay, decided whether you believe Shakespeare borrowed more of the positive or negative traits in creating his main character.Look at the cultural history of the time period and try to capture the racial tone of the 1600’s.
 * Is Shakespeare racist?**

Also, note all of the racist comments made in the play and analyze these lines. Can you detect a pattern or can you form a conclusion about these lines?

[|http://www.folger.edu/documents/Africanus1.pdf]

One of the biggest conversations surrounding all of Shakespeare’s plays deals with Shakespeare’s development of his female characters. In Othello, he has three seemingly different female characters. Your group will look closely at how these women treat each other __and__ what these women have in common with each other.
 * Shakespeare and his Women**

Draw specific lines that best demonstrate your points and analyze what those lines really reveal about the norm of that time period.

If Shakespeare’s ‘art’ truly reflects life during the 16th century, how were women revered during this time period? Did class matter? Look at power, voice, and choice and draw a conclusion about the cultural norms of the Renaissance.