September 24, 2008

Aim: What is the cultural as well as the social context of Shakespeare’s Othello?
Please post on your Blog Page.

Do Now: In yesterday’s lesson, we created a scene. If you had to select an actor to play one of the characters (protagonist/antagonist) who would you choose and why?
I would be the antagonist
Marya can be the protagonist

Who were the Moors?
They are the descend of Berber and Arab and they are originally from the shore is North Africa
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0833942.html

Who were the Venetians?
They were the wealthy and powerful people from Venice. Their wealth was due to the canals which was a great spot for trading.
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/jwb/Collab/Othello/othrsrchrslt.htm

What was the military duty of ranked officers?
General: The leader of the army in what ever city or state they serve. They are powerful and well respected figures in society. They are in charge of giving out promotion an are in control of the entire army.
Lieutenant: is assigned by the army. Has the power to order soldier lower than his ranks and their social status isn't as powerful as the generals.
Marshall:
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/jwb/Collab/Othello/othrsrchrslt.htm

What was the military hierarchy?
They were paid their victories. After the fight is over they sacked the cities and confiscated booty which was their reward for their service
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/jwb/Collab/Othello/othrsrchrslt.htm

What was the role of women?
The women were mostly silent, they didnt speak much or express their opinion. Some women wrote but they wrote mostly about prayer and meditation. They got to write about their feelings only in poems
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/jwb/Collab/Othello/othrsrchrslt.htm.

What was expected of a daughter?
They were seen as property and expected to obey their father's wishes and get married by the age of thirteen. They were guarded and watched over until they were married off.
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/jwb/Collab/Othello/othrsrchrslt.htm

What was expected of a bride?

What relationships between men and women were considered beyond reproach?

What rules for getting married existed at the time of the play?

Who was the most famous Moor?

What were the rules of courtship?

When conducting your research please use .org or .edu websites. Don’t forget to cite your

sources.

Today we will form our next project groups. You are required to write your names and emails on a sheet of paper and turn it in to me by the end of the period.

Homework:
Post the following on your Blogs:

What rules dictate the behavior of men and women in relationships today?
Name a situation in which the rules have been clearly violated? That is, what are things “nice girls” or “nice boys” just don’t do?
Why do these rules exist? Do you think they apply locally or even just at your school? What are the possible consequences of breaking these rules?
Do you know if these rules are applicable to other cultures or are they totally different?
Think of scenes from ANY show/movie that adheres to these rules as well as shows/movies that violates these rules.