Othello Student Projects

Projects are due Thursday, April 17.

1.  Memorizing Lines: 

You must choose 2 sets of lines to memorize from Othello in the original Shakespearean English. Click HERE to go to the linked lines (they are organized by related themes).  To receive full credit, you must recite the lines and then explain in detail how they relate to a key theme in the text.   

2.  Character and Act Webbing (do both): 

• 1.  Create a study sheet organizing all of the characters in Othello by relationship to the other characters.  Be sure to include small characterizations or facts about each character (just enough to know who the character is), as well as what his/her relationship is to the other characters he or she is linked to.  An example based on Oedipus Rex can be found HERE.
• 2.  Also, choose ONE act of Othello and create another study sheet showcasing and organizing the scenes, important characters, important events, key terms, things to notice, etc.  The web items should be in sequential order (by scene and event).  Your goal is to organize an entire act into a web format to make it easier to study the play.  

3.  Act It Out! 

Here's your chance to show off those acting skills!  Use iMovie or another program to create a movie of one scene in Othello.  This can be done using drawings, slowmation, with real people, filmed, etc.  The lines must stay the same, but the setting, costuming, etc. can be whatever you want it to be.  This can be done by yourself or with other people (they do not have to be classmates).  If you choose to work with a classmate (or a few), you will all earn full credit as long the amount of work accurately showcases the amount of people working on the movie.  All scenes must be approved by me beforehand, and YOU MUST USE YOUR OWN TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE THE MOVIE (unfortunately, I don’t have a camera for you).

4.  Blog or Social Media: 

Create a blog or some other social media (facebook, Twitter) that showcases the journey of one character throughout the play. Be appropriate.   Be sure to include characterizations of the character you are exploring/analyzing, as well as what they see or perceive from or about other characters, their surroundings, etc.  Also include trials, events, motivations, and possibly even background information.  The blog must include a basic character profile with profile picture as well as a minimum of 5 in-depth entries (think diary entries) examining the character’s evolution over the course of the play.  Short entries (like status updates) will require more total entries to receive full credit.  Be creative…retweets, uploaded photos, current moods, and “listening to” would all be great!

5.  Create a Movie Poster: 

Create a movie poster that you feel best represents Othello.  On a separate sheet of paper, include who you would choose to star in your movie (roughly 7-9 characters); where you would film your movie; scenes and or lines you would cut; what themes, motifs, problems, etc. you choose to highlight and how; etc.   Finally, write a synopsis of your movie (such as one you would find on the back of a DVD).  It should be roughly two to three paragraphs.  Your movie poster should be poster board-sized.

6.  Create a Theme Collage: 

Create a poster board-sized collage of words, lines, and images to represent one key theme in Othello.  On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph clearly explaining the theme you chose.  For example, what is the play saying about jealousy exactly?  Can you give a present-day example of an instance where this proves true?  Are there any parts of this theme with which you disagree?  Following the paragraph, explain at least 3 specific instances in the play where your theme emerged.  You may do this in list format.

7.  Film Comparison: 

Choose a film adaptation of Othello.  After watching the movie, write a correctly organized 5 paragraph essay exploring 3 important similarities/differences between the film and the text (think setting, theme, plot events, characterization).   Are there differences and similarities between the two?  What did the film do that the text did not, or vice versa?  In the conclusion, discuss whether or not the film enhanced your reading and or understanding of the text?  You should take notes on the film as you watch it.  These will be turned in with your essay and can be handwritten as long as it is legible.