A Level English Lang and Lit Othello | Page 9

Othello by William Shakespeare

Essay technique (ELLA2: analysing speech and its representation: Section B)

Writing the introduction
Do not waste time writing what you are ‘going to do’ or repeating the question. Begin
answering the question from your very first sentence.

1. Contextualise the given passage.
2. Introduce your chosen passage and explain why this is relevant to the focus of the
question and how it relates to the given passage.
3. Explain the importance of the focus (Othello’s breakdown/jealousy/love ...) in both
passages.
This passage is taken from Act 4 Scene 1 by which point Iago has
convinced Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity. Othello is presented
as increasingly tormented by this idea. Othello’s speech to the
senate in Act 1 Scene 3 is a powerful contrast to this. In this early
speech, Othello is presented, in verse, as dignified, controlled and
respectful while, towards the end of the play, he becomes
increasingly irrational, disordered and violent. This is reflected in
his fragmented syntax, transition to prose, repetition and choice of
ominous or aggressive lexis and imagery, features which are more
apparent, as he succumbs to Iago’s manipulation and control and
his own monstrous jealousy.

1. Demonstrates
understanding
of given
passage.

2. Introduces
second
passage and
makes links
between the
two passages.
3. Focus on key
words and
features.

The perfect paragraph (SPEAL)






Signpost sentence
Point
Evidence
Analyse
Link

Signpost
sentence
Point

Analysis

Link

Othello’s use of imagery in this passage illustrates the disturbance in
his mind and reinforces a sense of foreboding. He is tormented by the
thought of Desdemona’s infidelity which ‘comes o’er my memory,/As
Evidence
doth the raven o’er the infected house,/Boding to all!’. The raven,
conventionally associated with death and the spreading of infection, is
ominous and adds to the tension in the audience. This use of imagery
connected to animals and disease is in contrast with Othello’s more
dignified language involving military ‘feats of broil and battle’ at the
beginning of the play and in some ways mirrors Iago’s choice of
language, illustrating how far Othello’s attitudes and perceptions have
changed and how far he is now in Iago’s power.

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