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Table of Contents A Letter from the Director of Education p. 3 Pre-Performance - Educate Read the Plot Summary p. 4 Meet the Characters p. 7 Research the Historical Context p. 9 Who was William Shakespeare? p. 9 Shakespeare’s Early Years p. 9 The London Years p. 10 The Later Years p. 10 A Chronology of Shakespeare’s Plays p. 11 Performance - Excite Theater is a Team Sport (“Who Does What?”) p. 12 The Actor/Audience Relationship p. 13 Enjoying the Production p. 13 Post-Performance - Empower Talkback p. 14 Discussion p. 14 Bibliography p. 14 Lesson Plans & Sunshine State Standards p. 15 2 A Letter from the Director of Education “ All the world’s a stage,” William Shakespeare tells us ”and all the men and women merely players.” I invite you and your class to join us on the world of our stage, where we not only rehearse and perform, but research, learn, teach, compare, contrast, analyze, critique, experiment, solve problems and work as a team to expand our horizons. We’re “Shakin’ It Up” at Orlando Shakes, with new Lesson Plans designed to assist teachers with curriculum needs while sharing what is unique and magical about the Theater Arts. We’ve designed our Curriculum Guides with Sunshine State Standards in mind. You’ll find a first section which will help you prepare your students for the theatrical experience, a second section suggesting what to watch and listen for during the performance, and lastly, discussion questions and lesson plans to use when you are back in your classroom, to help your students connect what they’ve learned to their lives and your diverse and demanding curriculum. I believe that as an Educator it is imperative that I continue learning as I teach and teaching as I learn. It is my sincere hope that you will find our Curriculum Guides helpful to you and eye opening for your students. Feel free to contact us at Orlando Shakes should you have any questions or suggestions on how we can better serve you. We are always learning from you. Thank you for the tremendous work you do each and every day in nurturing our audiences of tomorrow. Curtain Up!! Anne Hering Director of Education 3 Pre-Performance Read the Plot Summary Act I: in his favor, or else all is far from Othello is still at sea. They spot a right in Venice. ship coming forth; Iago, Othello begins in the city of Desdemona, and Emilia are on it. Venice, at night; Roderigo is Brabantio and Othello address Somehow, Iago and Desdemona having a discussion with Iago, the assembled Venetian leaders, enter into an argument about who is bitter as being passed up who are discussing this military what women are, and Iago as Othello's lieutenant in favor of matter, and Brabantio shows how little praise he the Venetian gentleman Cassio. announces his grievance against believes women deserve. Othello Iago says that he only serves Othello for marrying his arrives at last, and is very glad to Othello to further himself; he is daughter. Othello addresses the see his wife arrived, much playing false, and admits that his company, admitting that he did earlier than expected. Iago nature is not at all what it seems. marry Desdemona, but wooed speaks to Roderigo, convincing Iago is aware that Desdemona, her with stories, and did her no him that Desdemona will stray the daughter of Brabantio, a wrongs. Desdemona comes to from Othello, as she has already Venetian nobleman of some speak, and she conirms done with Cassio. He convinces stature, has run off with Othello, Othello's words; Brabantio's Roderigo to attack Cassio that the black warrior of the Moors. grievance is denied, and night, as he plans to visit Brabantio and many others Desdemona will indeed stay mischief on both Othello and know nothing of this coupling; with Othello. However, Othello is Cassio. Iago decides to enlist Roderigo, called away to Cyprus, to help who lusts after Desdemona, and with the conlict there. Othello Iago and Cassio are on the watch awaken Brabantio with screams and Desdemona win their appeal together; Iago gets Cassio to that his daughter is gone. to remain together, and drink a bit, knowing that he Desdemona is to stay with Iago, cannot hold his liquor at all. Iago Roderigo is the one speaking until she can come to Cyprus and also tries to make Desdemona most to Brabantio, but Iago is meet Othello there. seem tempting to Cassio; but there too, hidden, yelling Cassio's intentions are innocent unsavory things about Othello Roderigo is upset that and friendly, so this approach and his intentions toward Desdemona and Othello's union fails. Iago says that he intends to Desdemona. Brabantio panics, was allowed to stand, since he get Cassio drunk, that will and calls for people to try and lusts after Desdemona. But Iago hopefully cause a quarrel ind his daughter; Iago leaves, assures him that the match will between Cassio and Roderigo, not wanting anyone to ind out not last long, and at any time, who has been stirred up against that he betrayed his own leader, Desdemona could come rushing Cassio. Iago wants to see Cassio and Brabantio begins to search to him. Iago wants to break up discredited through this, so that for her. the couple, using Roderigo as his he might take Cassio's place. pawn, out of malice and his Montano and others come, and Iago joins Othello, and tells him wicked ability to do so. about Roderigo's betrayal of the Iago entertains them with small news of his marriage to Act II: talk and song. Cassio ights Brabantio. Cassio comes at last, offstage with Roderigo, and as do Roderigo and Brabantio; A terrible storm has struck comes forth, chasing him; Brabantio is very angry, Cyprus, just as the Turks were Montano tries to hinder Cassio, swearing that Othello must have about to approach; this bodes but Cassio just ends up injuring bewitched his daughter, and that badly for Othello's ship. A him. All the noise wakes Othello, the state will not decide for him messenger enters, and conirms who comes down to igure out in this case. Othello says that the that the Turkish leet was what has happened. Montano Duke must hear him, and decide broken apart by the storm, and tells what he knows of it all, and that Cassio has arrived, though Iago ills in the rest making sure 4 Pre-Performance Meet the Characters Othello A Moor (an African), a general in the defense forces of the city state of Venice. His successful profession brings him high status in Venice, but his foreign origins and color separate him from those with whom he lives and works. He is a military man, with a reputation for courage in battle and good judgment in military matters. Othello falls in love and marries Desdemona, but during the campaign against the Turks, Othello is tricked by Iago into believing that his wife has been unfaithful with his lieutenant, Cassio. Iago works on Othello's personal and social insecurity until Othello believes the combination of Iago's lies and flimsy circumstantial evidence. Inflamed with jealousy, he smothers Desdemona in her bed, only to find out too late that he has been misled and has killed the woman who loved him faithfully. In despair, he kills himself. Iago Othello's ancient (captain) in the Venetian defense forces. He had hoped for promotion, but Othello passed over him in favor of Cassio, and Iago works revenge on them both. He exploites Roderigo as a source of money and an unwitting accomplice in his plot to bring down Othello. When finally cornered and charged with his wickedness, Iago refuses to speak or to repent or explain his actions, and he goes to his punishment still surrounded by mystery. Desdemona A noble Venetian lady, daughter of Brabantio. She organizes her life intelligently and shows courage, love, and loyalty in following her husband into danger. She accompanies Othello to Cyprus on the campaign against the Turks but finds him becoming distant and making wild accusations against her. She firmly believes that he will see that she is true to him, but when she realizes he is about to kill her, she can only feel despair and grief. She dies declaring her love for him. Brabantio A Venetian Senator, Desdemona's father. He is angry at his daughter's choice of husband but can do nothing once the marriage has taken place, and the Venetian Senate has accepted it. He warns Othello that Desdemona is a clever deceiver. 7 Pre-Performance Meet the Characters Roderigo A Venetian nobleman in love with Desdemona. He has more money than sense and pays Iago to court Desdemona on his behalf. Iago, playing on Roderigo's hopes and gullibility, continues to help himself to Roderigo's money, and Roderigo never gets his heart's desire. Iago involves Roderigo in an attack on Cassio, for which Roderigo pays with his life, as Iago kills him to ensure his silence. Cassio Othello's lieutenant in the Venetian defense forces. Cassio accompanied Othello as his friend when he was courting Desdemona. He is popular, he speaks well, and he is lively and trusting. Iago eventually convinces Othello that Cassio is Desdemona's paramour. Cassio is appointed governor of Cyprus after Othello's death. Bianca A courtesan (prostitute), in love with Cassio. She is skilled in needlework and agrees to copy the handkerchief that Cassio gives her; then she throws it back at him, believing it is the token of his new love.