SUBTEXT: CHARACTERS’ OBJECTIVES &

SUPEROBJECTIVESExploring the text via modern performance

Today’s Objective

Today I will evaluate the language, content, meaning, and significance of a passage in Act 2 of Othello by constructing responses to prompts about subtext and characters’ objectives.

Looking Ahead…

In a few days, you will start working in groups on creating a modern script of a particular scene in either Act 3 or Act 4.

This activity today should give you a small taste of that fun exercise as well as some things to think about when you construct your modern scripts and prepare for your performances.

Subtext – What is it?

Meaning that is not explicitly stated in a text, but is understood by readers/viewers

Implicit meaning

Inference

Metaphors provide subtext

Characters’ thoughts and motives can also provide subtext

Character’s Objective

Examining a character’s objective is one way to help us understand the subtext of a text

A character’s objective = what he/she wants in that scene—the goal (Folger 169)

A character will attempt to achieve that goal until he/she is successful, at which point he/she will identify a new objective (Folger 169)

Character’s Superobjective

Examining a character’s superobjective is another way to help us understand the subtext of a text

A character’s superobjective = what he/she wants by the end of the play/text—the ultimate goal “big picture” goal (Folger 169)

Determining Characters’ Superobjectives

THINK / WRITE: (quickwrite #1)

Group 1: What is Iago’s superobjective? What is Desdemona’s superobjective?

Group 2: What is Othello’s superobjective? What is Cassio’s superobjective?

Discussing Characters’ Superobjectives

PAIR-SHARE / SMALL GROUP / WHIP-AROUND:

Group 1: What is Iago’s superobjective? What is Desdemona’s superobjective?

Group 2: What is Othello’s superobjective? What is Cassio’s superobjective?

Reading to Understand Subtext…

Round-Robin reading: 2.1.181 – 2.1.233

Need 5 volunteers to read aloud to the class: Someone to read stage directions Iago (groups 1, 2, 5) Othello (group 3, 4) Desdemona (group 1, 2,

5) Cassio (group 3, 4)

As they are reading, think about your character’s objective in this scene

Writing to Understand Subtext…

THINK / WRITE: (quickwrite #2)

Independently and silently, write down your two characters’ objectives in this scene Iago (groups 1, 2, 5) Othello (group 3, 4) Desdemona (group 1, 2, 5) Cassio (group 3, 4)

Performing to Understand Subtext…

Same passage (2.1.181 – 2.1.233)

4 volunteers to perform this passage using modern language: Iago Othello Desdemona Cassio

Perform with your character’s objective in mind

Discussing to Understand Subtext…

4 performers explain their character’s objective in this scene

Agree? Disagree? Let’s discuss based on the quickwrites you just did

What did you notice in the reading? In the performance?

Compare/contrast the reading vs. the modern performance

Reflecting to Understand Subtext…

For homework tonight: grab a half-sheet on your way out; it contains the following prompt:

How did the combination of reading, viewing, and/or participating in the modern performance today impact your understanding of this passage and/or of the play so far? How did our discussion of subtext help you better understand this passage, scene, act, and/or the play so far as a whole? Please be specific in your explanation.