Shakespeare’s Othello: The Moor from edX

In this course, we'll read William Shakespeare’s Othello and discuss the play from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the course is not to cover everything that has been written on Othello. Rather, it is to find a single point of entry to help us think about the play as a whole. Our entry point is storytelling.

We'll look at the ways in which Shakespeare's characters tell stories within the play––about themselves, to themselves, and to each other. We'll consider, too, how actors, directors, composers, and other artists tell stories through Othello in performance. By focusing on storytelling, we can see how the play grapples with larger issues including power, identity, and the boundary between fact and fiction.

From lectures filmed on-location in Venice and conversations with artists, academics, and librarians at Harvard, students will have unprecedented access to a range of resources for "unlocking" Shakespeare's classic play.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Develop a critical stance on othello and its protagonist, the “moor of venice,” through the central motif of storytelling.
Use primary sources, including sixteenth-century accounts of africa and nineteenth- and twentieth-century performance artifacts, to evaluate the play in multiple historical contexts.

Looking at adaptations of the play from the nineteenth century to the present, evaluate othello as a platform for conversations about race, gender, class, and nationality.

Develop a critical stance on othello and its protagonist, the “moor of venice,” through the central motif of storytelling.
Use primary sources, including sixteenth-century accounts of africa and nineteenth- and twentieth-century performance artifacts, to evaluate the play in multiple historical contexts.
Looking at adaptations of the play from the nineteenth century to the present, evaluate othello as a platform for conversations about race, gender, class, and nationality.

Syllabus

Part 1: Story and Identity

In Part 1, we read Acts 1–2, considering the ways in which Othello represents himself to Desdemona and to the Venetian Senate through fantastic tales.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

Analyze Othello’s monologue in Act 1, Scene 3 and use it as a lens through which to view the play as a whole

Assess the way storytelling is associated with witchcraft, lying, and other subversive behavior, setting up the tragedy of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship

Understand the historical contexts for Shakespeare’s representations of Othello

Explore how Shakespeare transformed his sources in creating his character and the play as a whole

Part 2: Story as Fabrication

Part 2 brings us to Acts 3–4, where we see how Iago stages scenes to convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.

Compare and contrast Othello’s storytelling with Iago’s machinations to sabotage Othello and Desdemona’s relationship, considering the thin line the play draws between fiction and lying

Use Othello’s monologue in Act 4 to interpret the handkerchief, one of the play’s most central props/symbols

Evaluate the multiple meanings available in the play’s variant versions and their implications for performance

Discover how two famous African-American actors, among the first black actors to play Othello, interpreted the play and leveraged it for their own activism

Part 3: Operatic Othellos

Part 3 introduces us to Giuseppe Verdi's Otello and Mehmet Ali Sanlikol's Othello in the Seraglio.

Delve into the history of operatic adaptations of Othello, beginning with the nineteenth-century Italian composers Verdi and Rossini

Discover Otello in the Seraglio, which transposes the play to the Ottoman court, revising the “orientalism” of both the play and its operas

Explore music as a means for telling Othello’s “story,” including representing gender, nationality, and race

Consider how adaptations bring new meaning to old texts through setting, language, medium, and other artistic choices

Part 4: Revisionist Othellos

In Part 4, we continue our study of Othello's afterlives with Toni Morrison's Desdemona and Keith Hamilton Cobb's American Moor.

Weigh divergent feminist responses to Othello by Toni Morrison, Djanet Sears, Paula Vogel, and Ann-Marie MacDonald

Consider how genre becomes a tool for rewriting Othello from a female perspective

Encounter American Moor, a new play that dramatizes a black actor’s experience auditioning to play Othello

Evaluate why Othello provides continuing material for engaging issues surrounding race, gender, class, colonialism, and other topics

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a critical perspective on Othello through the lens of storytelling, providing a distinct entry point to the play

Offers a comprehensive exploration of Othello's identity and the play's themes through the analysis of primary sources and historical contexts

Provides a unique opportunity to evaluate Othello as a platform for ongoing discussions حول race, gender, class, and nationality, showcasing diverse adaptations and perspectives across centuries

Led by renowned professors and industry experts, Stephen Greenblatt and Bailey Sincox, who bring their expertise in literature, theater, and Shakespeare studies

Enriches understanding through on-location lectures in Venice and interviews with artists, academics, and librarians, offering insights from multiple perspectives

Assumes familiarity with Shakespeare's Othello and basic literary analysis skills

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Shakespeare’s Othello: The Moor with these activities:

Review Story Elements

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Review or learn basic story structure elements (character, setting, plot) to set a foundation for this course

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Review the elements of story structure: character, setting, plot

Explore Online Resources

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Enrich your knowledge by exploring online resources and materials related to the play.

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Utilize online databases and search engines to find articles, videos, and other resources on Othello.
Visit websites dedicated to Shakespeare and his works for in-depth analysis and insights.
Follow reputable scholars and critics on social media to gain access to their perspectives and ongoing research.

Review Shakespeare's Othello

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Solidify your understanding of the text by reviewing its contents and identifying key themes and concepts.

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Read the play carefully, taking notes on characters, plot, and themes.
Identify the main themes and motifs of the play.
Analyze the characters' motivations and actions.
Consider the historical and cultural context of the play.
Form your own interpretation of the play's meaning.

Ten other activities

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Read Othello

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Read the entire play to gain familiarity with the characters, plot, and themes

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Read Act 1
Read Act 2
Read Act 3
Read Act 4
Read Act 5

Practice Summarizing Key Scenes

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Strengthen your comprehension skills by practicing summarizing key scenes from the play.

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Choose a scene from the play to summarize.
Identify the main events and characters in the scene.
Write a brief summary of the scene, focusing on the key points.
Repeat steps 1-3 for additional scenes.

Participate in a Discussion Group

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Engage with peers to share insights, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of the play.

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Find a discussion group or forum related to Othello.
Participate in discussions, sharing your thoughts and questions.
Listen to other participants' perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.
Reflect on the discussions and how they have enriched your understanding of the play.

Analyze Othello's Monologues

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Practice analyzing the language and meaning of Othello's monologues to enhance understanding of character and themes

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Read Othello's monologue in Act 1, Scene 3
Identify the key themes and motifs in the monologue
Analyze the language and imagery used in the monologue
Consider the context of the monologue within the play

Create a Character Map

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Enhance your understanding of the characters by visually mapping their relationships and motivations.

Browse courses on Characters

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List the main characters from the play.
For each character, write down their key traits, motivations, and relationships with other characters.
Draw lines or arrows to connect the characters, indicating their relationships.
Analyze the character map to identify patterns and insights.

Storyboard a Scene

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Create a storyboard for a scene from the play to visualize the action and explore the characters' motivations

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Choose a scene from the play
Identify the key characters and their motivations
Sketch out a series of panels that depict the action of the scene
Add dialogue and captions to the panels

Discuss Othello's Character

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Engage in a peer discussion to share insights and perspectives on Othello's character, motivations, and impact on the play

Browse courses on Character Analysis

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Read Othello's monologue in Act 1, Scene 3
Join a peer discussion group
Share your thoughts on Othello's character
Listen to and consider the perspectives of others

Explore Othello Adaptations

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Watch and analyze adaptations of Othello to see how different directors have interpreted the play

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Watch a film adaptation of Othello
Read a critical essay on the adaptation
Compare and contrast the adaptation with Shakespeare's original play
Consider the ways in which the adaptation reflects the social and cultural context in which it was created

Tutor a Peer

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Help a peer who is struggling with the material by providing guidance and support

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Identify a peer who is struggling
Offer your help in a respectful and supportive manner
Review the course material with your peer
Answer your peer's questions and provide guidance

Read Toni Morrison's Desdemona

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Read Toni Morrison's response to Othello to gain a different perspective on the play and its characters

View Desdemona on Amazon

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Read Toni Morrison's Desdemona
Analyze Morrison's interpretation of Othello and Desdemona
Consider the ways in which Morrison's novel challenges and expands upon Shakespeare's play

Career center

Learners who complete Shakespeare’s Othello: The Moor will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor of Literature

Literature professors teach, research, and publish about literary works. To do this, they must have a deep understanding of literature, including its history, genres, and critical theories. In this course, you will develop a critical stance on Othello and its protagonist, the “Moor of Venice,” through the central motif of storytelling. This course provides an academic framework to analyze storytelling within a literary work.

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Opera Singer

Opera Singers perform in operas, which are musical dramas that tell stories through singing, acting, and music. To be an opera singer, one must have a strong singing voice and acting skills, as well as an understanding of music and drama. In this course, you will learn about the history of opera, analyze the musical structure of operas, and explore the role of music in storytelling. This course may help build a foundation for understanding opera and the role it plays in telling stories.

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Poet

Poets write poems, which are literary works that use language in a creative way to tell stories or express emotions. To be a poet, one must study the elements of poetry, such as rhythm, rhyme, and metaphor. In this course, you will analyze Shakespeare’s writing style and explore the role of storytelling in his work. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the craft of poetry and the elements that make for a compelling poem.

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Writer

Writers create written works, such as books, articles, and scripts. To be a successful writer, one must learn the elements of storytelling, including plot, character, and setting. In this course, you will analyze Shakespeare’s writing style and explore the role of storytelling in his work. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the craft of writing and the elements that make for a compelling story.

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Stage Director

Stage Directors tell stories on stage through the direction of acteurs, props, and scenery. Those who wish to direct must study the fundamentals of theater, including the content and history of theatrical works. In this course, you will develop a critical stance on Othello and its protagonist, the “Moor of Venice,” through the central motif of storytelling. This course allows one to analyze Shakespeare’s writing style in an academic setting, which may align with the study of other playwrights and theatrical works.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical documents and artifacts. To be an archivist, one must have a strong understanding of history, as well as knowledge of archival practices and techniques. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and other Shakespearean works and explore the role of primary sources in understanding the past. This course may provide helpful insights into archival practices and the historical context of Shakespeare’s work.

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Museum curator

Museum curators plan and manage exhibitions and programs for museums and other cultural institutions. To be a museum curator, one must have a strong understanding of history, art, and culture, as well as knowledge of museum practices and techniques. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and other Shakespearean works, as well as explore how museums and other cultural institutions present and interpret Shakespeare’s work. This course may provide an opportunity to gain insights into museum curation and the role it plays in preserving and interpreting Shakespeare’s legacy.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, and interpret past events to gain a better understanding of the human experience. To be a historian, one must have a strong understanding of research methods and historiography, as well as knowledge of a particular historical period or topic. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and explore the role of primary sources in understanding the past. This course may be provide an introduction to research methods and historiography.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. To be a journalist, one must have strong research and writing skills, as well as knowledge of current events. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and other Shakespearean works, as well as how to analyze and interpret literary works. This course may provide an introduction to research methods and writing skills.

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Critic

Critics evaluate and interpret works of art, literature, and culture. To be a critic, one must have a strong understanding of the arts and culture, as well as the ability to analyze and evaluate creative works. In this course, you will develop a critical stance on Othello and its protagonist, the “Moor of Venice,” through the central motif of storytelling. This course may help build a foundation for developing critical thinking and analysis skills.

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Dramaturg

Dramaturgs research and provide historical and cultural context for theatrical productions. To be a dramaturg, one must have a strong understanding of theater history and literature, as well as knowledge of a particular historical period or topic. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and explore the role of primary sources in understanding the past. This course may provide an introduction to theater history and dramaturgy.

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Actor

Actors perform in plays, films, and television shows. To be an actor, one must have strong acting skills, as well as knowledge of theater and film. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and explore the role of storytelling in his work. This course may provide an introduction to acting and the different techniques used to tell stories through performance.

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English Teacher

English teachers teach English language and literature to students in secondary schools. To be an English teacher, one must have a strong understanding of English grammar and literature, as well as knowledge of teaching methods. In this course, you will develop a critical stance on Othello and its protagonist, the “Moor of Venice,” through the central motif of storytelling. This course may provide an introduction to English literature and teaching methods.

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Screenwriter

Screenwriters write scripts for films and television shows. To be a screenwriter, one must have strong writing skills, as well as knowledge of film and television. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and explore the role of storytelling in his work. This course may provide an introduction to screenwriting and the different techniques used to tell stories through film and television.

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Novelist

Novelists write novels, which are long works of fiction. To be a novelist, one must have strong writing skills, as well as knowledge of storytelling techniques. In this course, you will learn about the history of Othello and explore the role of storytelling in his work. This course may provide an introduction to storytelling techniques and the different ways to write a novel.

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