1. Read the Article on the stool – DO NOT WRITE on the sheet
“The Complexity of phobias” Commonlit

2. Anticipation Guide
Just like we did with unit one, get out a sheet of paper and label it with numbers 1-20.
For each statement read, decide whether you agree or disagree and write it down on your paper.
1=disagree fully
5=agree completely

3. Shakespeare
Tragedy
Tragic Hero
A tragedy is a drama in which a series of actions leads to the downfall of the main character, called the tragic hero. The plot builds to a catastrophe, or a disastrous final outcome, that usually involves the death of the hero and many others.
The tragic hero at the center of a tragedy is a person of high rank who accepts his or her downfall with dignity. The tragic hero is a common archetype.
A tragic flaw is an error in judgment or a weakness in character, such as hubris. The tragic hero recognizes the flaw and its consequences, but only after it is too late. This realization helps to redeem his character.
Despite the tragic hero’s tragic flaw, there is usually some redeeming quality or qualities that make us sympathize with or root for the tragic hero.

4. Tragic Hero Continued
The catastrophe must be a result of the tragic hero’s tragic flaw. It is not usually an accident or coincidence.
The tragic hero is usually a “human” character with which the audience can relate.
The tragic hero usually encounters some disappointed hope or frustrated ambition.

5. Common Concepts in Shakespearean Tragedies
The desire for power
Gender roles—usually switching
Issues of the human psyche— exploring the motivations behind people’s actions
Language tricks (i.e. puns)

6. Important Play Elements
Soliloquy: A speech given by a character alone on stage, used to reveal his or her private thoughts and feelings
Aside: A character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character, that no one else on stage is supposed to hear
Monologue: A long speech given onstage in the presence of others.
Apostrophe: This is a speech given by an actor onstage in which he or she addresses a personification or abstract concept that is not physically present onstage.
Stage Directions: stage directions are usually written in brackets or in italics. They are important!

7. Blank Verse and Iambic Pentameter
Blank verse is unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. Shakespeare’s plays are primarily written in blank verse
Iambic pentameter is a pattern of rhythm that has five unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable in one line of poetry

8. Looking at iambic Pentameter
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady, O, it is my love!
A woman's face with nature's own hand painted, Hast thou, the master mistress of my passion; A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted With shifting change, as is false women's fashion: An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; A man in hue all hues in his controlling, Which steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth. And for a woman wert thou first created; Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting, And by addition me of thee defeated, By adding one thing to my purpose nothing. But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure.

9. Background on oThello
Primarily set in Cyprus, though it opens in Venice
Deals with issues of loyalty, race, social status, and revenge
Also heavily deals with wrongdoings and manipulation
Is considered one of Shakespeare’s major tragedies

10. Act I Scene I
Read Act I Scene I in groups of three.
Explain/summarize what is happening between the characters.
What do they each think of Othello? Why does Iago want revenge?
Why is Brabantio shocked in hearing that Desdemona has eloped with Othello?