



Summary of last two lessons on character.
Othello/ Iago debate.
Rhetorical skills.
Essay on Iago’s motives.


Take notes of the main points supporting both
sides of each argument. Think about which
side you agree with and why in your own time.
Write down any key quotes.






Rhetoric is the study of effective speaking and writing. And
the art of persuasion
Repetition is a major rhetorical strategy for producing
emphasis, clarity, amplification, or emotional effect.
Rhetorical appeals- refers to a question asked for a purpose
other than the information the question asked.
Appeals to reason, emotion and character.
connotative language is a rhetorical device that author uses
to evoke specific kind of emotion or attitude towards the
subject matter.
Hesitation- the silence that spurs his listeners on to
imagining the worst or to realizing the worst about
themselves.


Take note of the number of times Iago uses
repetition, leading questions, hesitation,
intimation, and rhetorical appeals to unsettle
Othello's mind in 3.3.93-280.
For each device, note the effect it is having on
Othello's state of mind.


Use the following extracts as a starting point to
discuss the possible motives of Iago.
Your discussion should involve comparison of
the passages AND some consideration of the
play as a whole.
ACT ONE, SCENE ONE, lines 35–57
ACT TWO, SCENE ONE, lines 270–end