Title: Othello: Act 3 Sc 1 and Sc 2 1.What do these characters have in common? 2.What is their purpose in the movies they appear in? Comic relief L.O: To define, understand and be able to identify Comic relief ?

Comic Relief – Define it Comic relief usually means a releasing of emotional or other tension resulting from a comic episode interposed in the midst of serious or tragic elements in a drama.

Does the play “Othello” need some comic relief at this point? Why or why not? Purpose = Comic Relief In A Tragedy?

Let’s Read! 1.Cassio 2.Clown 3.Musicians 4.Emilia

Comic relief: – a clown is mincing words with a few musicians, then has a little wordplay with Cassio Iago enters, and Cassio tells him that he means to speak to Desdemona, so that she may clear things up with Othello. Emilia comes out, and bids Cassio to come in and speak with Desdemona about his tarnished reputation. Key points Act 3 Scene 1

Homework Act 3 Scene 1 1.What is the purpose of the clown scene? 2.Would it make any difference if it were omitted from the play? Note how the end of this scene prepares for the next…

Analysis: Othello’s Uniqueness Othello is unlike other Shakespearean dramas for two reasons: –the scarcity of comic relief, which only appears briefly at the beginning of this short scene. –there are no subplots running through Othello as there are in most Shakespearean plays as a whole. Both of these differences make Othello one of Shakespeare's most focused, intense tragedies.

Othello gives Iago some letters that need to be delivered back to Venice Iago is in turn supposed to give the letters to a ship's pilot who is sailing back to Venice. Key points Act 3 Scene 2

Homework Act 3 Scene 2 1.What is the purpose of this short scene? 2.What is the irony here?