Scene 3 – Critical Analysis Critical Analysis
Identify and discuss an insight or a variety of insights you gained into the subject of identity through your engagement with Act 1 Scene 3 of Shakespeare’s play Othello.
Write a paragraph (about 150–200 words), supporting your answer with reference to the text.
Prompt! Š Identity refers to individuality, uniqueness and character – who and what a person is. Š Qualities, values, gender, class, race, status, etc. can shape identity. Š Characters can sometimes exhibit both true and false identities.
Sample Paragraph 1
Othello is hated by Iago and Barbanto. Just because he is different. Barbanto cant belive his daughter chose this man for her husband. She will lose her good name. Iago pretends to be honest. But is plotting against Othello in secret behind his back with Rodrigo to get back revenge at Desdemona because he hates ‘the moor’ because he gave away his job to Cassio that Iago wanted so badly. So Barbanto hates Othello because the daughter is marrying a man whose from a different race and Iago hates Othello because he didnt get the job. This is Othello’s foriegn identity as a royle African prince who comes to Venice to fight for Venice against the Turkish army in Cyprus. This is the true insight into Othello as his identity is away from his home. (135 words)
Examiner’s Comment
Š Mainly narrative summary with slight references to identity towards the end.
Š Little or no developed discussion.
Š Repetitive expression, punctuation errors, some awkward expression and spelling flaws (‘Barbanto’, ‘belive’, ‘foriegn’, ‘royle’).
Š Basic response that fails to tackle the question directly.
Sample Paragraph 2
I learned that a person who is from a different background can be treated unfairly because of unfair-minded racial stereotyping. Othello is a Moor from North Africa and is now in Venice. He is not well educated, ‘Rude am I in my speech’. He has spent his life on the battlefield so is not used to the advanced sophisticated Venetian ways. Brabantio accuses him of drugging Desdemona and using ‘evil witchcraft’ to seduce her into marriage. He typecasts Othello because he is so shocked she should marry ‘a Moor’ that he would prefer to ‘adopt’ a child than have one of his own. Iago also labels Othello and is prejudiced against outsiders. He judges Othello as lecherous, which is a common insult, because he suspects Othello of having a love affair with his wife. Neither Iago nor Brabantio have any proof for their unfair accusations against Othello, only their prejudice. (150 words)
Examiner’s Comment
Š Solid mid-grade response that attempts to take on the question.
Š Some focused points about Othello’s status as an ‘outsider’.
Š The point about tension is good, but deserves further development.
Š Developed discussion and accurate quotation would have improved the answer.
Š Expression is generally controlled throughout.
ACT 1
35
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