ELP IB

Portrait – Tate London Article Portraits precede the invention of photography as a mode to capture one’s appearance They reveal one’s power, wealth, virtue, etc. Portraits were designed to be flattering and therefore were not necessarily a completely truthful depiction of someone Painting by commission (by the wealthy/powerful) used to be the only way to […]

To what extent can we consider Othello to be a play about race? Even from the title of the play describing Othello as ‘The Moor of Venice’, there is immediately a distinction made about the protagonist versus the rest of the characters. Shakespeare introduces us to the fact that Othello is black from act 1 […]

“Shakespeare represents in Othello the reality of women – their wholeness – in high contrast to the fragmented notions of them held by men”. What different views of women are we presented with in the play? Throughout the play of Othello there runs a common theme being men’s misunderstanding and inaccurate perception of women. It seems […]

Plot Summary: The act begins with Cassio hiring a clown in order to approach Desdemona for help and to put him in her favour. In scene 2, Othello sends letters back to Venice, notifying them about the win over Cyprus. In scene 3, Desdemona tells Cassio in full confidence that she will do anything in […]

Development of the Plot: Boats carrying Cassio, Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia (Iago’s wife) arrive at Cyprus prior to Othello’s arrival. A storm has wreaked havoc on the Turkish fleet, letting the Venetians win by default. Upon waiting for the General, there is an interaction between the four characters in which Iago conspires to eventually set […]

Act 1 Sc 1: How Is Othello Characterised By Others?   General Idea: Roderigo wants Brabantio to despise Othello and make him fear for his daughter in his presence Evidence: “The gross clasps of a lascivious Moor” Roderigo paints Othello out to be a villainous character through conjuring up images of him taking Desdemona by […]

Reflecting on the feedback from my Boom Essay, I think my primary area for improvement is my ability to analyse and evaluate. Although I think I tried to push this a bit further from my last assessment, I haven’t unpacked the ideas in enough depth. Similarly to CAT 1, I prioritised including as much evidence […]

Boon’s Monologue: Significance of walls: Walls can either be perceived as a symbol of entrapment or of protection. In the eyes of Boon, the house’s walls may be trapping him as he is unable to move on from the past. The walls’ dirtiness and stickers make him feel as though his life is stagnant, still […]