William Shakespare

a cura di J. Pignet e C. Aira
 
 A tragedy of jealousy, but not only. Venice has entrusted Othello, a professional soldier, with its security. But Othello is a Moor and, as a consequence, external to Venetian society.
 After marrying Desdemona, the Moor is convinced by Iago's machinations to kill his wife because of her presumed unfaithfulness.
 A tragedy of great passion in which the personality of the wicked character prevails: Iago, in fact, is one of the most complex and ambiguous figures of the shakespearean gallery of characters. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Summing-up Activities
 
 Il dramma della gelosia, ma non solo. Othello è un militare professionista su cui Venezia fa molto affidamento. È anche un Moro Africano, però, e quindi una figura estranea alla società veneziana. Dopo avere sposato Desdemona, Othello viene convinto dalle macchinazioni di Iago ad uccidere la moglie, perché ritenuta infedele.
 Tragedia di passioni dove spicca la personalità del "cattivo", Iago, una delle figure più complesse e ambigue della galleria di personaggi shakespeariani..

William Shakespeare

Chapter 1 – Resentful Hearts

Extension: Othello on the stage

Chapter 2 – My Lord, the Moor

Extension: Othello and the cinema

Chapter 3 – The Net for a Big Fly

Extension: Othello and music

Chapter 4 – A Perverse Plan

Extension: Venice and Othello on the canvas

Chapter 5 – Injecting Poison

Extension: Is the story original?

Chapter 6 – A Sacred Promise

Extension: Why Venice and Cyprus?

Chapter 7 – The Poison Works

Extension: The villain and his victims: who are they?

Chapter 8 – Richer than All His Tribe

Extension: Not only jealousy

Summing-up activities

Passages for acting

7  The Poison Works Chapter BEFORE READING 1 How do you think Desdemona will react when she discovers she has lost her handkerchief? Choose among the alternatives the one you suppose most realistic. c c c c c 2 Desdemona will leave the palace because she is not faithful. Desdemona will inform Cassio and together they will go to the Moor. Desdemona will ask her maids to find it. Desdemona will not worry because Othello is not a jealous man. What will Othello use to kill Desdemona in a rapid way? Look at the suggestions and tick (3) the most appropriate one. c c c 3 Desdemona will defend herself as soon as she sees the Moor. a sword a poisoned drink c c a rope a push down from a rock a pillow Superstitious people think amulets can protect them. Write the correct name under each amulet. clover   horse-shoe   horn   number 13   magic handkerchief 56 

T Othello The Poison Works (Act 3, Scene IV; Act 4, Scene I) The loss1 of the handkerchief worried2 Desdemona.  Fortunately my noble Moor is not jealous!  she said to Emilia. She was not prepared for Othello s reaction some minutes later,  I have an annoying cold in the head, lend3 me your handkerchief, the first present I gave you, remember, chuck4?  When Desdemona said it was in her room, Othello reproved5 her,  That s a mistake! An Egyptian charmer6 gave it to my mother. It is a magic handkerchief! Remember, you must never lose it or give it away, if you want to keep your husband s love!  Desdemona refused to fetch7 it, though8 Othello insisted on seeing it. So he left in a rage9. Desdemona and Emilia were surprised: it was unusual with him. Iago continued his work of insinuation. In his indirect ambiguous way, he informed Othello that Cassio and Desdemona were often in close10 intimacy. Othello was so shaken11 that he lost his reason. He started speaking confusedly,  Sleep with her? Handkerchief   Confessions   Handkerchief! To confess and be hanged12. Pish13! Noses, ears and lips. Is it possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil!  And he dropped to the ground in an attack of epilepsy. Iago was sneering14 near him,  My medicine works; so credulous fools are caught . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. loss: perdita. worry: preoccupare. lend: imprestare. chuck: (vezzeggiativo) cocchina. reprove: rimproverare. charmer: maga. fetch: andare a prendere. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 57 though: sebbene. rage: furia. close: stretta. shake (shook-shaken): scuotere. hang (hanged-hanged): impiccare. pish!: puah! sneer: sogghignare con disprezzo. 

Tragedia di passioni e gelosia. Othello, Moro Africano, manipolato da Iago, uccide la moglie. Shakespeare esplora l'oscurità umana.

Othello Collana RAINBOWS

Level A2 • Elementary - Collana RAINBOWS

Othello

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