1-29/1-30 That snow day messed us up...but it was awesome!!

Lessons are different for each campus so check out what we did closely.

Sheldon Lesson:
We prepared for our in-class essay in groups. If absent, look over the following prompts and have them thought out s you may write an essay next class.

HMWK:
Outline for your essay

Churhcill Lesson:
We performed our scenes for our final.

HMWK: Log entry #5 (Reflection on acting and essay prompts)

Othello Logs: Part 2

Log #1: Add subtext to the “Temptation Scene” 3.3
Log #2: “To Act or not to act” on assignments page.
Log#3: Log entry of choice from the book
Log Entry #4: Whoops, I told you to practice. There is no log entry #4
Log Entry #5 Reflections on your acting and respond to 6 assertions below.
Othello’s real problem is his own jealousy.

It is very important to the play for Othello to be black.

Desdemona is not a spineless woman. She has good sense, stubbornness and courage. She can stand up to Othello for the sake of what she thinks is right, even when he is in a dangerous mood and few people would care to face him.

Desdemona is not angelically pure. The potential for unrestrained desire must be in her character in order for the drama to work.

Iago is not a “motiveless malignity” as he has been called – a devil who does evil for its own sake. He has a thirst for power and the wit to contrive a way to get it. Desdemona’s death is a side effect he did not really intend.

Iago’s cleverness is not total. He builds into the intricate structure of his plot a piece of terrible stupidity; he fails to understand his wife.

Log Entry #6: Reflections on the film version.

1-23-08 Final Othello Staging

Lesson:
We performed our final scenes

HMWK: Final log entries:
Log #5: Acting Reflection Name:_________________

Part One:
Write one page reflecting on your experiences in the final scene you acted out. Please explain strategies you used to workshop the scene, how you contributed to the group, and explain some of the choices your group made in the production. Focus on at least three sections of your scene that were well thought out for the performance.

Part Two:
Write a short statement (about a paragraph) responding to each of these assertions:

1. Othello’s real problem is his own jealousy.

2. It is very important to the play for Othello to be Moorish (of African descent).

3. Desdemona is not a spineless woman. She has good sense, stubbornness and courage. She can stand up to Othello for the sake of what she thinks is right, even when he is in a dangerous mood and few people would care to face him.

4. Desdemona is not angelically pure. The potential for unrestrained desire must be in her character in order for the drama to work.

5. Iago is not a “motiveless malignity” as he has been called -- a devil who does evil for its own sake. He has a thirst for power and the wit to contrive a way to get it. Desdemona’s death is a side effect he did not really intend.

6. Iago’s cleverness is not total. He builds into the intricate structure of his plot a piece of terrible stupidity; he fails to understand his wife.




Log #6
Movie comparison. Compare the scene your group performed with the scene in the film version of Othello. Pay particular attention to emphasis, staging, and delivery. This will be due after you have viewed the film.

1-18/22- 2008 Othello Final Drama Groups

Lesson:
Today we practiced, practiced, practiced with our acting companies

HMWK: Practice
Final next class

1-16/17 Othello and Feminism

Lesson:
We had a quiz. To make this up look at Emilea’s Speech (4.3.80-99)
What ideas does she have about men? ANswer this question using at least three lines of support from the text.

We were assigned our groups for the final scene. If absent, find out what group you are in and practice your part! See your group for other aspects of the assignment.

Homework:
Prompt book, practice and memorize
Meeting of Great Minds next week Thursday (Churchill)
Semester ends in two weeks!!

1-14/15 2007 Othello's breakdown

Lesson:
• Three acting companies be performed.
• Great Minds Paper Collected (Churchill)
Dramaturgy Report
• Ira Aldridge (Churchill)
• Recent Productions

We talked about how the handkerchief has been passed and acted it out

Gender Issues: Round One (If absent, answer these questions on your own:

Names:____________________
Discuss the “ocular proof” of Desdemona’s infidelity.


In what ways does her encounter with Othello in this scene distress Desdemona?


What different ways might an actor play this distress?


What explanations does she provide to account for his changed behavior?


Why does she feel she must make excuses for him?


Comment on:
• “They are but stomachs, and we all but food; / They eat us hungerly, and when they are full / They belch us”
Do you agree with Emilia?

DO you find her too bitter? Too hard?


What effect does Othello’s fit have on the audience?


How is Iago able to make Othello believe that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona? What would you emphasize as a director?




How, in this scene, does Shakespeare remind us of how far we are from Venice and how much Othello has changed?




Can you find examples of how Othello’s once noble and lofty language is sinking to Iago’s bestial level? Think back to your handout on Iago’s bestiary. Does Othello use the same kind of imagery? Can you find lines in Act 1 and 2 that show Othello’s noble language and analyze the difference?








In 4.1, an important man whom we have never seen hurt his wife before now strikes her in public. Why does he do it? How do the people onstage react? How do you imagine Desdemona responding physically to the blow?






Desdemona is innocent; why doesn’t she defend herself? If you were in Desdemona’s position, would you? If not, why not?







How could this scene be considered part of the great tragedy of Othello?


Homework
• Read 4.2 and 4.3. Complete log entry from the text.
• Quiz next class.
• Volunteers to act next class (possibly sing? And be exempt from the log entry)
• Meeting of the Great Minds-

1-10/11 2008 Relay Performances

The Green Eyed Monster
Lesson:
We had a quiz. Make up if you were absent.

Relay Performances
Dramaturgy Reports:
Ira Aldridge
Paul Robeson
Recent Othello Productions

Read 3.4 and 4.1 and complete a log entry #2 (To act or not to act)found on assignments page.
9 volunteers will perform in three different acting companies (and be exempt from the log)
Great minds paper due on the 15th (Churchill)
Dramaturges report on epilepsy next class

1-8/9 2008 The Temptation Scene

Lesson:
There was a quiz on 2.3-3.2 when the bell rings.
Dramaturge Reports extended until next class!
Dramaturge Reports next class:
Ira Aldridge
Paul Robeson
Recent Othello Productions

We talked about:
“It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it”
Intonation, pauses and body language.

“The Temptation Scene” 3.3 (If absent, pick a section to write about what you would have done with the scene. Explain lines you would cut and how you might stage a section of 3.3 (Choose at least 100 lines)

Homework
Read 3.3 and complete a log of your choice
Quiz next class on 3.3
Practice your scene cutting lines so the pace is rapid. Add subtext to the “Temptation Scene”
Bring a handkerchief
Dramaturgy groups report next class
Great Minds Paper due on the 15th (Churchill)

12-20/21 Sword Fighting!

Lesson:
We performed Othello 2.3
We had a lesson on stage fighting. It was fun.

HMWK:
Have a fun break
Read 3.3
Quiz when you return to class after break
Dramaturgy reports for Ira Aldridge, Paul Robeson, Recent Othello Productions due next class.

12-18/19 “With as little web as this…”

Lesson:
We turned in our logs
Please organize your log in order (clearly mark 1-6 with dates), staple it in order, and turn it in.

We made a list of Iago’s lies (so far)
We read the shortest scene as a class
In groups we blocked the drinking scene

Homework: Come to next class ready to practice some combat and perform your groups scene. Dress appropriately and rehearse. Groups will receive extra credit for memorized lines.

If absent, do a close reading of the scenes 3.1 and 3.2

Read the rest of 3.1 and 3.2. There will be a quiz next class.