Students discussed the nature of SYMBOLISM in Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY. Chimpnimsky bullied the class into a sophisticated consideration of the metaphorical association being linked to some of the key symbols within the text. This association was then pushed towards a consideration of author's aim. Students were offered the essay title: HOW DOES FITZGERALD USE SYMBOLISM TO SHAPE MEANING IN THE GREAT GATSBY?
Click on link below to download the essay guidance offered within the lesson:
The second session was a consideration of ACT ONE of Shakespeare's Othello. Focus was placed on the dignity and authority of Othello in Act One Scene Two, the contrast between Brabantio's idealised perception of his daughter and the reality of Desdemona's independent character, and the vile nature of Iago's duplicity. Students were asked to consider the significance of Iago's first soliloquy.
HOMEWORK: If students have exams and are 'pushed for time', the FITZGERALD essay can be offered to me in two weeks. Students can complete this essay and offer me a copy next week if they wish. YOU HAVE THE OPTION!
Furthermore students should click on the following links to gain an understanding of ACT TWO of OTHELLO. All these links relate to Oliver Parker's 1995 film version of the play. It is important that students perceive this play as drama for the stage BUT this film will allow you to gain an understanding of the key themes and issues being explored by Shakey Bill:
Branagh as Iago...soliloquy at conclusion of ACT ONE:
End of ACT ONE/ ACT TWO:
More of ACT TWO. Iago manipulates Cassio:
End of ACT TWO and beginning of ACT THREE:
Bob Hoskins as Iago from a BBC version broadcast in 1981 directed by Colin Lowrey..this is Iago's soliloquy at the conclusion of ACT TWO SCENE ONE.
It is important that students at least LISTEN to an audio version of the play. IH has my audio version. Students should upload this to your steam powered stereodigitisers and use this version to aid textual understanding. My West Hull reading of OTHELLO fails to capture the magnificence of this wonderful play. Cheap downloads of Othello are available...fill your Elizabethan boots.
Furthermore, keep reading Coleridge's TROTAM. Your recent Coleridge related written work was excellent. Keep it up.
SIR! Just wondering, you know Baz Luhrmann made that modern film of Romeo and Juliet? Is there any version, true to the original text, of Othello that would be worth watching?
ReplyDeleteI like the Oliver Parker film Barney. It is relatively faithful to the text and some of the symbolism is quite interesting. The audio versions are probably the most faithful to the text.Make sure you access the CD I gave to IH. It is a really good interpretation. You really need to see a live production.If an OTHELLO appears in Yorkshire you should buy a ticket. I saw a superb version at the Sheffield Crucible last year. In a perfect world I would take you lot to experience the power of a live theatrical production but the fact that Coldplay and Jesse J remain popular serves to illustrate the harsh, brutal, and cold reality that the world is less than perfect.
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