Chapter 8-10 (The Picture Of Dorian Gray)

CHAPTERS 8-9
Dorian learns from Lord Henry that Sibyl is dead, apparently a suicide. As Lord Henry urges him not to weep for Sibyl but to go on with his life, Dorian begins to bnlame sibyl for her “selfishness.” Dorian makes a fateful choice to enjoy all the pleasures of life and let his portrait bear the burden of his shame. Basil observes the change in Dorian. When Basil tells Dorian he wants to display the portrait in Paris, Dorian becomes angry and vows to have nothing more to do with Basil if he ever looks at the portrait.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Discuss events the morning after Dorian’s rejection of Sibyl.
The morning after, Dorian realizes that the painting had definitely been altered. The marks around his mouth had never been there before. The he decides he shall marry her but then is told Sibyl killed herself. He cries at first, but, the lovely Lord Henry makes him stop and get over it.

What is the legend of Narcissus? Compare and contrast Dorian’s self-love with that of Narcissus and Narcissus’ treatment of Echo with the way Dorian has treated Sibyl.
Dorian is in love with himself. He sits in front of the portrait for hours just looking at himself. Narcissus is a man in which many women fell in love for. However he spurned their advances. One goddess made him fall in love with his reflection for the rest of his life. The Narcissus flower grew where his body died.

Compare and Contrasts the reactions of Lord Henry (LH) and Basil to Sibyl’s death.
Basil regretted the way they acted the night before as Lord Henry took the news calmly.

Analyze the conversation between Dorian and Basil about the portrait and why Basil has changed his mind about exhibiting it.
Dorian won't allow Basil to see the portrait because he is afraid he'll notice the changes on it. So he threatens to end their friendship if he continues insisting.

Analyze Dorian’s concealment of the portrait and the meaning of the sentence, “What the worm was to the corpse, his sins would be to the painted image on the canvas”.
He symbolically covers the portrait with a large, purple satin coverlet such as might have served as a covering for coffin. He knows that, just as worms destroy a corpse, his own sins will destroy his image in the portrait, marring its beauty and eating away its grace. Unlike a corpse, however, the portrait will always be alive. He hides the picture in the room where he spent much of his lonely childhood. Ironically, he recalls his purity as a child in contrast to the sins the portrait reveals.

Discuss the yellow book Lord Henry sends Dorian?
The yellow book is about the sins of the world.

Identify and discuss the significance of the variety of things with which Dorian attempts to satisfy his worship of the senses.
-

Analyze why Dorian is drawn to the power of the jewels and what they symbolize.
The jewels hide Dorian's imperfections.

Examine the overpowering fear that grips Dorian and the influence the yellow book has on him.

CHAPTER 10

Identify and discuss the significance of the variety of things with which Dorian attempts to satisfy his worship of the senses.

What does the following quote means: "What the work was to the corpse, his sins would be to the painted image on the canvas.....And yet the thing would still live. It would be always alive" (pg. 153).

What is it about Dorian that seems to charm everybody? Why?

What does Dorian decides to do with the portrait and why?

Once again, what are the 7 deadly sins and identify any within this chapter.

What other sins has he comitted to cause change to the picture?

What gift does Lord Henry give to Dorian and does it have any influence on Dorian? What is the
novel about?

What is Dorian reaction to the "inquest on an actress."

Chapter 4-7 (The Picture Of Dorian Gray)

CHAPTER 4
Dorian spends much of his time with Lord Henry, who manipulates Dorian's mind with his philosphy of subjects such as marriage, women, and fidelity. Dorian reveals his infatuation with Sibyl Vane, and actress. Dorian distances himself more from Basil.

Comprehension Check Questions:
Who is Victoria?
Victoria is Lord Henry's wife.

How would you characterize Sibyl Vane?
I'd characterize her as young, naive, and innocent.

How/Where did she meet Dorian?
She meets Dorian where at the theater she's performing.

What does she call Dorian?
She calls him her Prince Charming.

How long do they know each other in the story so far?
So far they've known each other for three weeks.

Critical Thinking:
Examine the relationship between Lord Henry and His wife Victoria and compare with the relationship between Lord Henry and Dorian.
Lord Henry & his wife don't lead a normal married life. They see each other when they have time and they lie about their whereabouts. Lord Henry and Dorian see each other more than Lord Henry and his wife. They spend most of their days together discussing stuff. I'd think Lord Henry was more attracted to Dorian than Victoria, maybe not sexually but emotionally.

How does Lord Henry feels about the relationship between Dorian and Sibyl?
Of course Lord Henry doesn't approve of the relationship. Everything Dorian says about his relationship and love, he just responds with one of his smart ass comebacks.

Analyze Lord Henry's view of women, men and fidelity.
Lord Henry sees women as inferior to men. When he talks about women he degrades them and mocks them. He fancies men more of course. They are superior to women (so he claims).

Analyze the change in the relationship between Dorian and Basil.
Dorian traded in Basil for Lord Henry. He spends most of his days with Lord Henry rather than Basil.

Research and Correlate the Allusions with Dorian Gray:
Philistine
Giordano Bruno
daughter of Cymbeline from Shakespeare's Cymbeline (you do not have to research this).

Free Write the Prediction: How will Dorian's engagement to Sibyl change his relationship with Lord Henry?
I think Dorian would probably stop seeing Lord Henry because they both have different beliefs in love and relationships and Lord Henry's beliefs might bother Dorian.

Literary Elements: Metaphor-people like Dorian: willful sunbeams of life.
Personification: Soul, Desire.

VOCABULARY
aphorisms-A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage
munificent-extremely liberal in giving; very generous
consummate-to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill.
crucible- a container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures.
turbid- not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment or the like; clouded; opaque; obscured
animalism-preoccupation with or motivation by sensual, physical, or carnal appetites rather than moral, spiritual, or intellectual forces.

CHAPTER 5

Sibyl, her mother, Mrs. Vane, and James (Jim), Sibyl's brother, discuss her relationship with Dorian Gray, whom Sibyl calls Prince Charming. Jim, who tenderly loves Sibyl, cautions their mother to guard Sibyl, and vows to kill anyone who harms her.

Comprehension Check Questions:

How old is Sibyl?
Sibyl is seventeen.

Mrs. Vane has a secret heartache about ____?

-

Who is Mr. Isaacs?

Mr. Isaacs lends Sibyl's family money to pay off their debt.

How old is Jim?
Jim is one year younger, which means he's sixteen.

Where is he going and why is he leaving his family?
He's going to Australia to make more money and get them out of debt.

DISCUSSION/ CRITICAL QUESTIONS:

Identify members of Sibyl Vane's family and analyze their interrelationships.
Sibyl, Sibyl's Mom, and Jim. Sibyl loves both her mother and brother. Jim is overprotective about Sibyl. Mrs. Vane wants to be out of debt.

What are the various reactions of Sibyl, Mrs. Vane, and Jim toward Dorian?
Sibyl is in love with Dorian so nothing can change her mind, even when her family questions her about him. Jim doesn't approve of their relationship because he's overprotective and smells something fishy. Mrs. Vane is interested in Dorian because she thinks he has money and she wants out of debt.

Why does it seems like Sibyl feels unworthy of Dorian?
Sibyl feels she is unworthy of Dorian because of his beauty.

What is the main concern of Mrs. Vane? Is there anything Ironic about her feelings?
Mrs. Vane is mostly concerned about his money status.

Discuss Jim's feelings in regards to Dorian?
Jim being the overprotective brother he is, doesn't approve of Dorian. He feels he's being fake and there's something behind his whole gentlemen act.

Why do you think we are being introduced to another innocent character other than Dorian?
We are introduced to another innocent character in order to see how different they are when they evolve.

LITERARY ELEMENTS

Similes: He (Jim) was like a common gardener walking with a rose; tulip-beds flamed like throbbing rings of fire; They passed words to each other as players at a game pass counters; they cut the air like a dagger.

VOCABULARY
querulously-full of complaints; complaining.
espial-the act of spying.
tawdry-(of finery, trappings, etc.) gaudy; showy and cheap.
solicitor-a person who solicits
affectations-A show, pretense, or display.
infinite- immeasurably great
dogma- a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.
melodramas-Behavior or occurrences having melodramatic characteristics.

CHAPTER 6 &7

Comprehension Check Questions:

What does Dorian do to somewhat upset Basil and Lord Henry?

He upsets Basil by not telling him about his engagement to Sibyl. He upsets Lord Henry with all the talk about love and relationship and Sibyl's perfection.

How does he describe Sibyl?
He describes her as a goddess. He basically says she's perfect in every possible way. He also talks about the various roles she's played.

Where is the setting in chapter 6?
The setting in this chapter is

What character in what play did Sibyl play the night before?
She starred as Rosalind in the play "As You Like It."

Why does Sibyl feels that she can never act again?
She claims she was young and naive and that her only love was acting. But now that Dorian is in her life and has offered her love, she can't concentrate on her acting but rather on Dorian.

What is Dorian's reaction to Sibyl after she tells him that she can never act again?
He yells at her and breaks up with her. He realized that he is not in love with Sibyl herself but rather all the character's shes played.

DISCUSSION/ CRITICAL QUESTIONS

How is Lord Henry being cynical about Dorian's engagement with Sibyl?

Explain: Lord Henry, with a typically paradoxical aphorism, says, “Dorian is far too wise not to do foolish things now and then, dear Basil.”


Who is Dorian really in love with? Sibyl or the character she plays Juliet, or Rosalind? Why?
Dorian is in love with the characters Sibyl plays rather than herself. Every time he spoke about Sibyl he mentioned the plays so it should've been a hint.

Discuss: In a statement of one of the major themes of the novel, Lord Henry submits that being in harmony with oneself is the key to life, echoing the tenet of Aestheticism that calls for the individual to make of his own life a work of art.

What does Dorian notice about the portrait? After what specific incident does he notice the changes?
Dorian sees lines around the mouth of the painting after he's done breaking up with Sibyl.

LITERARY ELEMENTS
_{Similes-hair clustered round face like dark leaves around a pale rose; she trembled like a white narcissus; her body swayed...as a plant sways in the water; drunkards chattering like monstrous apes.}

_{Personification: Nature}

Vocabulary
infatuation-the state of being infatuated.
virtues-moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.
incorrigible-not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform
pompus-characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance
spiritualize- to make spiritual.
interminable- incapable of being terminated; unending
fiasco-a complete and ignominious failure.
profanation- the act of profaning; desecration; defilement; debasement.
anodyne-a medicine that relieves or allays pain.
illusion-something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

Chapter 1-3 (The Picture Of Dorian Gray)

Students will analyze text and describe the characters in Chapter 1-2.

CHAPTER 1&2
Lord Henry Wotton:

How is he a manipulator and initiator?
Lord Henry is a manipulator because he is able to convince people on his beliefs.

What kind of cigarettes does he smoke? Is this a hint of a decadent lifestyle?
Lord Henry smokes heavy opium tainted cigarettes. You can say he's living a decadent lifestyle because smoking kills and if he smokes as much he does he will most likely die.

How is he cynical?
Lord Henry tells Dorian all his beliefs which are all basically pessimistic.

Basil Hallward:
What is his reaction to his painting of Dorian Gray?
He stamps it as his best portrait ever. He claims he's never painted something as beautiful as Dorian's picture.

How has he violated the code of an artist according to Wilde's preface?
-

He obviously sees in Dorian absolute beauty and harmony. Identify where in the passages.
"...Tell me more about Mr.Dorian Gray. How often do you see him?" "Everyday. I couldn't be happy if I didn't see him every day.He is absolutely necessary to me." "How extraordinary! I thought you would never care for anything but your art"

What is the main conflict in this paragraph?
The main conflict in these chapters is Basil in love with a painting of another man.

Analyze the symbolism of Dorian Gray's first appearance in the novel and let's discuss his physical description, his actions towards Basil, and the change in him when Lord Henry arrives.
Dorian's physical features are described as the best part of him. Basil idolizes his beauty. He is young and naive with when he's with Basil. He listens and does as Basil says. When Lord Henry arrives, a change occurs. He starts thinking differently after having a conversation with Lord Henry.

Any reference to Music?
-

Examine the interaction between Lord Henry and Dorian.
Lord Henry turns Dorian from a young boy into a man with the conversations they have. Basil saw him as a trophy boy, but, Lord Henry took him in and made an experiment out of him. Lord Henry expressed his beliefs, knowing it would have an affect on young Dorian.

Cause and Effect: What is Dorian's response to his finished portrait?
Dorian approved of the portrait. He was very pleased with it.

Compare and contrast: Basil and Lord Henry and identify their conflict.
Basil sees Dorian as a young and innocent poster boy. Lord Henry sees him as a young boy he can change with simple conversations on life. Basil doesn't want Dorian to change. Lord Henry does.

Online Research: Correlate the allusions with Dorian Gray:


Research and Correlate the allusions with Dorian Gray: Hermes, Faun.
HERMES-the ancient Greek herald and messenger of the gods and the god of roads, commerce, invention, cunning, and theft
FAUN- Any of a group of rural deities represented as having the body of a man and the horns, ears, tail, and sometimes legs of a goat.





VOCABULARY
petulant- moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance
philanthropy- altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
paradox-a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
caprice- a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather
panegyric- a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy
candour- the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness
fidelity- strict observance of promises, duties, etc
physiology- the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes.

CHAPTER 3

Comprehension Check Questions:
Where is the setting in this chapter?
The setting is in Lord Fernor's home and in Aunt Agatha's house.

Who was Magaret Devereux?
Margaret Deverux is Dorian's mother.

Characterize Lord Fermor?
Lord Fermor happens to be Lord Henry's uncle. He is known to be very selfish to society.

Discussion/Critical Thinking Questions:
Discuss what is revealed about Dorian's parentage and the effect it has had on him? Is this a sentimental story and Why?
Dorian's mother was a woman of wealth and status. She chose to go off with a poor man and they conceived Dorian. He soon died and she followed later. With both parents dead, he grows up as an orphan. This is a sentimental story because growing up parent less can be harsh on a kid. However he was able to come out a good kid with all this happening.

Analyze Lord Henry's feelings toward and decision about Dorian with the simile: "playing Dorian like a violin?"


How is Dorian's increasing dependence on Lord Henry shown in the text?
Everywhere Lord Henry goes, Dorian follows.

Literary Elements: Similes-brute who killed Dorian's father spitted his man as if he had been a pigeon; Lord Faudel as bald as a Ministerial statement; novel as lovely as Persian carpet
Metaphor: America: Paradise
Symbolism- Dorian, son of Love and Death

Research and Correlate the following Allusions with Dorian Gray: You should do a PP with the images, and description in your own words. Make sure you identify the chapter. We can do this for every Allusion and Chapters. Let's discuss this idea.

Titan















Dryad














Plato
















Bacchanti












Omar

Research on "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Everyone will research and post the following for 3rd marking period Blog as we are about to embark on Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray

• Aestheticism: a 19th century movement that advocated art for "art's sake"
  
• Decadents: Being in a state of decline or decay
  
• Victorianism: the distinctive character, thought, tendencies, etc., of the Victorian period.

Biography on Oscar Wilde.
Born: October 16, 1854
Wilde's education:
Portora Royal School[ Enniskillen, County Fermanagh] (1864-71)
Trinity College [Dublin] (1871-74)
Magdalen College[ Oxford](1874-78)
Married: Constance Lloyd
Children: Two sons
Lovers: Lord Alfred Douglas
Crimes/Arrests: He was incarcerated for two years for his homosexual relationship (Sodomy).
Tragedies:
Death of wife: 1898
Literary Works:
Lady Windermere's Fan
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Picture of Dorian Gray
A Woman of No Importance
An Ideal Husband
His Death: November 30, 1900
Any particular quotes that you like:
"A man's face is his autobiography. A woman's face is her work of fiction. "- Oscar Wilde

OTHELLO ACT IV (Script)

ACT IV- Scene I

SETTING: MANSION in FLORIDA

[The scene starts in a secluded area behind the mansion]

(Iago and Othello enter the set)
IAGO: Yo Othello, Did you know that Cassio just told me he f**ked your girl?
OTHELLO: What the hell?! That ugly a** b**** slept with my girl?
IAGO: Man, if you don't believe me, I got a plan to get him to open up.
OTHELLO: Alright, I'm down man. Tell me the plan.
IAGO: This is how it's going to go down: First I'm gonna start up a conversation and all you gotta do is hide and listen carefully.
OTHELLO: I got it man, lets go.
(CASSIO enters the scene. OTHELLO is secretly hiding and listening to everything.)

CASSIO: Hey man, what have you been up to?
IAGO: Oh nothing, just chilling, doing the usual. How’s Bianca?
CASSIO: Everything’s good. I mean I know she loves me and everything but I am not ready to settle down. If I have to marry her at this very minute it would not be for love. I still got many wild years ahead of me. Too many gals and not enough time.
(IAGO laughs)
CASSIO: Nah, but on the real side, I like her but I don’t know if it’s love.
(OTHELLO is secretly listening to the conversation that he thinks is about DESDEMONA and not BIANCA)
(BIANCA storms into the room interrupting the conversation)

BIANCA: Give this bracelet back to the slut who it belongs to.
CASSIO: What the hell do you mean?
BIANCA: O shut up, I know you’re screwing around behind my back! Man wh*re!
CASSIO: What–
(BIANCA runs away and CASSIO follows her)
(OTHELLO steps out of the shadows in cool hatred)

OTHELLO: How am I gonna kill him, Iago?
IAGO: Shank that dude.
OTHELLO: How am I gonna kill Desdemona for her slutatious ways? POISON!!!
IAGO: No brother! Poisoning is not the way to go. Strangling is.
OTHELLO: Good, Good!
IAGO: I’ll do you a favor and kill Cassio for you. I’ll get back to you before midnight.

(DESDEMONA appears on the set with LODOVICO her kinsman)

LODOVICO: The Mayor wants Othello to return to New York and Cassio to stay in Florida and handle all the business matter out here.
DESDEMONA (excitedly): Yay!

(OTHELLO storms into the scene)

DESDEMONA: Othello, what’s happening?!
OTHELLO: Shut up sl*t!
DESDEMONA: Othello, if you don’t stop it right now I will leave!
OTHELLO: W****!
(DESDEMONA runs out the scene)
(LODOVICO stands there surprised)

LODOVICO: Othello! That is no way to treat a woman! Go and bring her back!
OTHELLO: DESDEMONA!

(DESDEMONA enters the scene)DESDEMONA: What?!
OTHELLO: You lying tr*mp! Now Leave!
(DESDEMONA leaves the scene)

ACT IV- Scene II

[The scene starts with OTHELLO and EMILIA in one of rooms in the mansion]

OTHELLO: Yo! Do you know if Desdemona has been cheating on me?
EMILIA: No, why are you saying that? I’ve been around her and nothing shady has been going down.
OTHELLO: Liar!
EMILIA: Look, nothing has been going down. So drop it. You know Dessy has been nothing but loyal to you.
OTHELLO (frustrated): Get the f*** out! Stop defending that wh*re!
(DESDEMONA enters the scene a few moments later.)
OTHELLO (calmly): Come over here Dessy.
(DESDEMONA walks over afraid)
OTHELLO: What are you to me?
DESDEMONA: A faithful wife.
OTHELLO: You damn liar! You’re a whore!
DESDEMONA: Othello! All those rumors are nothing but lies! I can’t believe you’d accuse me of such nonsense!
OTHELLO: Whatever was said in here, stays in here.

(As EMILIA re-enters the scene to check up on DESDEMONA, OTHELLO leaves the room.)

EMILIA: Are you alright?
DESDEMONA: I don’t know if this is reality or just a dream... Can you go look for Iago? I need to speak to him.
EMILIA (suspiciously): Alright…
(IAGO enters the scene a few minutes later.)

DESDEMONA: I really need your advice.
IAGO: Desdemona just leave him alone for now. He has a lot on his mind and he’ll get over it as soon as the air is clear.
(DESDEMONA leaves the room)

(IAGO pulls out his iPhone and calls RODERIGO)

RODERIGO: What it do.
IAGO: I have a mission for you. You will go out and kill Cassio.
RODERIGO: And why would I go and kill a dude?
IAGO: You foolish cat! If you kill Cassio, Othello will be forced to stay here in Florida.
RODERIGO: And I want Othello here because???
IAGO: Desdemona. If he stays here, Desdemona will stay here closer to you. Wouldn’t you like that?
RODERIGO: Fine then I’ll get it done as soon as possible.
IAGO: That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.

ACT IV- Scene III

[Scene starts in OTHELLO & DESDEMONA's bedroom]
(DESDEMONA is sitting in her bedroom in her Victoria Secret lingerie. EMILIA is combing her hair)

DESDEMONA (humming as she looks at the door): The poor soul sat [sighing] by a sycamore tree…
EMILIA: O Dessy stop singing that pathetic song.
DESDEMONA: You don't understand what I'm going through right now. All I've done to him is love him since the day I met him. And all of a sudden I am this whore who cheats on her husband.
EMILIA: Well I'd understand why us ladies cheat on men. We are treated like scums and whores and we have to find us love somewhere else.
DESDEMONA: But I have not done nothing wrong.
EMILIA: It's ok, it will all be fine in a minute.
DESDEMONA: I guess, well I'll just wait for him here. You go and catch some Z's. Night Night.
EMILIA: Night Night

(DESDEMONA now on her bed)

DESDEMONA: Good night, good night. Heaven me such uses send. Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

[Scene fades]

Character Sketch (Othello ACT IV)

Character Sketch
Othello ACT IV

OTHELLO Terrence Howard
Othello is the play’s protagonist. He is a Moor who everybody believed to be a master of all situations. However he has changed into a revengeful, spiteful, full of hatred, and easily manipulated person when he is told about his wife’s affair. Terrence Howard is a man who has created characters with depth and emotions. He made a pimp into a likeable character with his movie Hustle & Flow and a changing man should be no stretch for him. Terrence can start the film as a man of honor and end the film with a man stripped of his honor. He can easily be liked and easily hated. And that my friend, is a leading actor.








IAGO William Dafoe
Iago is the play’s antagonist. He becomes very revengeful and starts planting lies into Othello’s head when another man is promoted to lieutenant rather than him. William Dafoe is an actor who is no stranger to villains. Playing the Green Goblin in Spiderman made fans all across the world love to hate him and is what earned him this villainous role. His facial expressions, tone of voice, and acting abilities can make the big screen Iago a villain of the ages. He is also a funding member of The Wooster Group, a non profit theater organization that puts on plays for audiences to enjoy. Coincidentally, the next featured play for the Wooster Group is one of Shakespeare’s gems: Hamlet.







DESDEMONA Kate Winslet
Desdemona is Othello’s wife and is the woman accused of having an affair with Cassio. Kate Winslet has defined herself as one of the great actresses of her generation. Coming from a family of stage actors, playing one of Othello’s leading ladies won’t be hard for Ms. Winslet to translate on to the big screen. Kate Winslet is known for her dramatic chops and flawless talent. She can make Desdemona into a dynamic character with her experience in dramas and Shakespeare background. Five Oscar Nominations ain’t too shabby either.








CASSIO Leonardo DiCaprio
Cassio is the root of Iago’s revenge and becomes a piece in Iago’s game. Filling in Cassio’s shoes is one of the greatest actors of his generation: Leonardo DiCaprio. The three time Oscar nominee has played many characters on the big screen including Romeo in William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet. Leonardo DiCaprio’s heartthrob looks can easily make Terrence Howard’s Othello believe the affair Iago is making him believe. Also, reuniting him with his Titanic co-star, Kate Winslet, equals big box office money.








BIANCA Kate Bosworth
Bianca is Cassio’s lover and believes she will get married to Cassio by love and not promise. Kate Bosworth is a young actress who will find no struggle in making Bianca’s virginal views look flawless on screen. Ms. Bosworth’s baby face fits Bianca’s character perfectly because everyone married for promise and not love back in the time of Othello and she still believes she is going to marry for love. She can easily play this character that still believes like a child and not an adult. Casting her in this will no doubt put her back in the limelight and shrug off that dry box office spell she has been experiencing lately.








EMILIA Rachel McAdams
Emilia is Iago’s wife and is the person who defends Desdemona against the adultery accusations. Being Iago’s wife, Emilia needs someone strong and confident to play her and who better than Rachel McAdams. Rachel has easily transformed herself from a snotty high school student to a past lover to an abducted woman on a plane. She has great screen presence and has the ability to take the role of Iago’s wife. As they say in Hollywood, it takes a villain to know a villain and like she proved in Mean Girls she can be pretty evil.








RODERIGO Jack Nicholson
Roderigo is the man who is sent to kill Cassio for his affair with Desdemona. Roderigo has also been in love with Desdemona for quite some time and is delighted with the plan. Jack Nicholson is a man who had garnered twelve Oscar nominations and if that doesn’t speak for itself than what does? He has the looks of a man looking for revenge for a lost love. He has the acting chops to show Roderigo’s anger. And he sure does have the power to kill Cassio and show no remorse. Say hello to nomination number thirteen from Mr. Oscar.








LODOVICO Ryan Gosling
Lodovico is Desdemona’s kinsmen and has a small role in the feature film. Ryan Gosling is known for his indie films and is Hollywood’s latest “It” boy. His acting abilities will come to good use when he shows his disapproval of Othello’s behavior towards Desdemona. Not only will his acting have the critics roaring, but his reunion with ex- flame Rachel McAdams will have the tabloids stirring.

Act IV Questions

Who are the characters?
There are a total of eight characters: Othello, Iago,Desdemona, Cassio, Bianca, Emilia, Roderigo, and Lodovico in Act IV.

What is the setting? (Time and Place)
The setting was in and out of the castle during the evening.

List the many conflicts that exist in this Act.
Man vs. Man (Othello vs. Desdemona)
Othello thinks Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, therefore creating problems in their marriage.
Man vs. Man (Iago vs. Othello)
Iago is jealous of Othello's marriage and social status.
Mans vs. Self (Othello vs. Othello)
Othello is insecure about his marriage and believes everything he is told because he is the only black person in the play and feels inferior.

What do you think is an appropriate theme for this Act?
The theme changes throughout the act. At first it's tense because he finds out about the alleged affair with his wife and his best friend. Then it changes to anger and jealousy when he confronts his wife about the affair. Then finally it turns revengeful when he gets thoughts of killing both of them.

What act is Desdemona accused of doing?
Desdemona is accused of cheating on her husband with Cassio.

“Othello, overcome with rage, spirals into incoherent hysteria” is this ironic for this particular character?


What is Cassio’s plan with Bianca?
Cassio plans on marrying Bianca out of promise not love.

"Minx's token" is referred to what in this Act?
Desdemona's handkerchief is what the "minx's token" represents in this act.

How is Desdemona degraded in front of her kinsmen?
Othello calls Desdemona the devil and a devious manipulator in front of her kinsmen therefore shocking him.

Why is Lodovico amazed at Othello’s behavior?
Othello is known as a noble Moor who the senate believes is the master of all situations and when he degrades his wife in front of him, he starts questioning Othello's behavior.

What sort of investigation does Othello conduct to prove that Desdemona is
faithful?
Othello questions Iago's wife, Emilia, about her knowledge of the affair.

Who defends Desdemona on her loyalty to her husband?
Emilia defends Desdemona when Othello questions her of any suspicious of the affair.

What evil plan does Iago concoct?
Iago plans on killing Cassio, so he sends Roderigo to go and kill him.

Is there any foreshadowing in this Act?
All of Iago's actions are foreshadowing. All the stuff he does or says is leading into something bigger and darker.

"Good night, good night/Heaven me such uses send/Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!" [Interpret]
This line is Desdemona basically saying that Othello's actions will teach her to forgive him and improve her flaws rather than hate or be revengeful towards him.

Is Desdemona truly virtuous?
Yes, Desdemona is truly virtuous because when she denies the affair she sounds truthful and doesn't sound like she has something to be hidden.