Scene 3 – Critical Analysis Critical Analysis
‘Throughout the play Othello Shakespeare makes use of a variety of dramatic techniques to evoke an atmosphere of deception and corruption.’
Discuss this statement with reference to Act 2 Scene 3. Write a paragraph (about 150–200 words), supporting your answer with reference to the text.
Prompt! Soliloquies – involve audience in corrupt world of Iago’s duplicity. Foreshadowing – heightens the sense of inevitable tragedy. Contrasts – expose evil and good, Cassio/Iago, Montano/Cassio, Desdemona/Iago, etc. Play within the play – Iago is director, scriptwriter and actor – intensifies mood of treachery. Vivid imagery and aural effects – add to the vindictive atmosphere.
Sample Paragraph 1
Act 2, scene three is a very exciting scene to watch. It has both a drinking scene and fight scene. I liked the drink scene when Iago starts to sing about how good each country is at drinking, ‘clink, clink’. He is having a laugh. Cassio should of tried to stay half sober at least. Iago has used the technique of tricking him through drink. Then in comes Rodrigo pushing Cassio in the chest with his sword. Cassio then fights with Montanno hitting him on the ‘mazzard’ which is the old word for his head. The bell rings. Othello is mad at his outburst and wants to know exactly whats going on. Iago’s technique works because Cassio is given his marching papers. This exciting scene by Shakespeare is full of deception and corruption. It is full of trickery as well. (140 words)
Examiner’s Comment
Basic response that lacks focus on dramatic techniques.
Some narrative summary with slight references to deception.
Little or no analysis.
Poorly controlled expression and mechanical flaws (‘Rodrigo’, ‘Montanno’, ‘should of’, ‘whats’).
Sample Paragraph 2
Shakespeare uses the dramatic technique of the small drama within the main scene and this is a symbol of the evil atmosphere. Iago is fully in control. Shakespeare has created a mini scene where he is the puppet master getting Cassio drunk and then in a fight on the street setting. He has encouraged Cassio to become so drunk so that he will lose his officer position. Iago directs Roderigo telling him to ‘go out and cry a mutiny’. He even pretends to be an unwilling witness to Cassio’s so-called crime. In fact, Iago controls everyone. He becomes Cassio’s adviser. He encourages Cassio to use Desdemona to get to Othello so that he can lay the blame on them both in Othello’s eyes. Cassio is delighted and vows to ‘beseech the virtuous Desdemona’. Shakespeare shows Iago moving characters around as if they were on a chessboard so that it suits him. I think this highlights the evil world of the play. (160 words)
Examiner’s Comment
Reasonable attempt to link one dramatic device to the evil atmosphere.
Further developed discussion would have improved the answer.
Expression is note-like, repetitive and strained at times.
This mid-grade response makes a solid effort at addressing the question.
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ACT 2
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