Lesson Note on Reading Act Five and Epilogue of “OTHERO” by William Shakespare for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature in English
Curriculum Theme: Drama and Literary Analysis
Previous Lesson: Reading Act Four of “OTHERO” by William Shakespare.
Topic: Reading and Explanation of Act Five of “Othello”
Subject Matter: Reading and discussion of Act Five Scene One of “Othello”, reading and discussion of Act Five Scene Two of “Othello”, discussion of the epilogue (closing message of the play)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Summarise the key events of Act Five Scene One and Scene Two of “Othello”.
• Identify the fates of the major characters in the final act of the play.
• Explain the resolution of the play and the consequences of the characters’ actions.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate William Shakespeare’s dramatic techniques in bringing the play to a tragic conclusion.
• Empathise with the characters’ experiences and the tragic outcomes of their choices.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Participate actively in reading aloud the scenes from Act Five.
• Articulate their understanding of the play’s ending and its thematic implications.

Social Domain:

• Collaborate effectively in group discussions about the play’s final act.
• Respect diverse interpretations and perspectives on the characters’ motivations and outcomes.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Shakespeare, W. (Year). Othello, the Moor of Venice. (Any reputable edition).
• A relevant Literature in English textbook for Senior Secondary School 2.
• https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/
• https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/o/othello/othello-at-a-glance

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Copies of the drama text, “Othello”.
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson enables pupils to understand the climax and resolution of “Othello,” which is important for grasping the play’s full meaning. By studying the final act, pupils can see how the plot unravels and how the characters face the consequences of their actions, helping them to analyse the play’s tragic themes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have read and discussed Act One, Act Two, Act Three, and Act Four of William Shakespeare’s “Othello”. They should also be familiar with the main characters and the developing plot.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Act Five of William Shakespeare’s Othello

Summary of Act Five Scene One

This scene takes place in a street in Cyprus. Iago, with Roderigo, plans to ambush Cassio. Roderigo attacks Cassio but fails to kill him and is wounded. Iago then secretly stabs Cassio in the leg. When Lodovico and Gratiano arrive, Iago pretends to discover the injured Cassio and then kills Roderigo to silence him. Bianca arrives and is falsely accused by Iago of being involved in the attack. Cassio is taken away for his wounds.

Summary of Act Five Scene Two

This scene takes place in Desdemona’s bedchamber. Othello confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief and her supposed affair with Cassio. Despite her pleas and assertions of innocence, Othello smothers her. Emilia enters, discovers Desdemona is dying, and calls for help. Montano, Gratiano, and Iago arrive. Emilia reveals Iago’s villainy, exposing his lies about Desdemona and the handkerchief. Iago kills Emilia to silence her. Othello, consumed by guilt and grief, wounds Iago and then commits suicide by stabbing himself. Cassio explains how he found the handkerchief. Lodovico takes Iago into custody, promising him torture, and appoints Cassio as the new governor of Cyprus.

The Epilogue/Resolution of the Play

The play concludes with a tragic resolution where justice is served, but at a great cost. Key points include:

• The Deaths: Desdemona, Emilia, Othello, and Roderigo all die as a result of Iago’s manipulations.
• Iago’s Punishment: Iago is captured and faces torture for his heinous crimes, though he refuses to explain his motives.
• Othello’s Redemption: Othello acknowledges his terrible error and takes his own life, showing remorse for murdering Desdemona.
• The Restoration of Order: Cassio is appointed governor of Cyprus, signifying a return to stability after the chaos.
• Themes: The play highlights the destructive power of jealousy, deception, racism, and the tragic consequences of misplaced trust.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall the major events of Act Four of “Othello”, focusing on Othello’s increasing jealousy and Iago’s continued manipulation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing key events from Act Four, such as Othello’s fit and his plan to kill Desdemona.
Learning Point: Pupils connect the previous act to the upcoming final act, setting the stage for the climax.

Step 2: Reading Act Five Scene One

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reading Comprehension
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises the class for a guided reading of Act Five Scene One, assigning roles to different pupils and ensuring clear pronunciation and understanding of the text.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns reading the lines of the characters in Act Five Scene One, paying attention to the plot development.
Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the events and dialogue of the first scene of the final act.

Step 3: Discussion of Act Five Scene One

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the events of Act Five Scene One, asking questions about Cassio’s attack, Roderigo’s death, and Iago’s deceptive actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by explaining what happened in the scene and Iago’s role in the ambush.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the initial events of Act Five and Iago’s continued villainy.

Step 4: Reading Act Five Scene Two

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reading Comprehension
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils through a reading of Act Five Scene Two, ensuring all pupils have a chance to read and understand the dramatic climax.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the lines of the characters in Act Five Scene Two, focusing on the intense emotional and tragic developments.
Learning Point: Pupils engage with the most crucial scene of the play, witnessing Desdemona’s death and the unfolding revelations.

Step 5: Discussion of Act Five Scene Two

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Interpretation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion on the tragic events of Act Five Scene Two, focusing on Desdemona’s death, Emilia’s revelation, and Othello’s and Iago’s fates.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the characters’ actions, motivations, and the tragic outcomes, sharing their interpretations.
Learning Point: Pupils analyse the climax of the play and the immediate consequences of the characters’ decisions.

Step 6: Discussion of the Epilogue/Resolution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Synthesis/Conclusion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides a discussion on the overall resolution of the play, including the themes highlighted and the ultimate fates of the main characters, and how order is restored.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by summarising the play’s ending and identifying the major themes that emerge from the tragic conclusion.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the complete tragic arc of the play and its enduring messages.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Summarise the key events that lead to Roderigo’s death in Act Five Scene One.
2. Describe how Desdemona dies in Act Five Scene Two.
3. Explain the role Emilia plays in revealing Iago’s wickedness.
4. What is the ultimate fate of Othello and Iago at the end of the play?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reiterating the main tragic events of Act Five and the overall resolution of “Othello”. The teacher assigns homework, asking pupils to write a short essay on the theme of jealousy in the play.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any remaining questions, and note down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of the entire play and are prepared for further analysis.

Lesson Keywords

• Othello – The protagonist, a brave Moorish general.
• Desdemona – Othello’s innocent wife.
• Iago – The antagonist, Othello’s ensign, driven by malice.
• Cassio – Othello’s loyal lieutenant.
• Emilia – Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant.
• Tragedy – A play ending with the downfall of the protagonist.
• Epilogue – A concluding part of a play that wraps up the story.
• Resolution – The final part of a story where the main conflict is resolved.

Differentiation

For pupils who struggle with reading, the teacher will provide simplified summaries of scenes before reading. More advanced pupils will be encouraged to analyse character motivations and thematic implications in greater depth during discussions, and to identify specific literary devices used by Shakespeare.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have access to the play text. Encourage active reading by having different pupils read different roles. Emphasise the tragic nature of the ending and the moral lessons that can be drawn from the characters’ actions. Pay attention to the language and imagery Shakespeare uses to convey emotion and character. Be prepared to discuss the complex motivations of characters like Iago and Othello.