EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE APPROACHES
OthelloKey Stage 4
RSC Education
Using edited text within workshops enables young people to gain confidence with Shakespeare's language whilst actively exploring the scene. If the text is well edited, the essence of a scene can be explored through the original language. The following example is from Othello Act III Scene 3. Iago's clever manipulation of Othello in this scene has been edited down to fit one side of A4.
Creating an edited scene
The following principles should be adhered to when editing text:
- The edited text should clearly reveal the original sense of the scene.
- Language should be pared down but not changed.
- Where possible, the iambic rhythm should be kept intact
- The relationship between the characters should be clear
- Decide on a clear focus or teaching point you want the students to explore: this could be the narrative, a key theme or the relationships between key characters.
- Choose a key part of the scene rather than try to do a whole scene - for example this edited scene from Othello focuses clearly on Iago's manipulation of Othello.
- Try to keep the edited version short - one or two sides of A4 at the most as too many bits of paper will inhibit physical exploration of the scene.
- Once students are comfortable and confident with the edited text, take them back to the original scene in its entirety.
OTHELLO Act III Scene 3 (edited)
IAGO My noble lord -
OTHELLO What dost thou say, Iago?
IAGO Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?
OTHELLO He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?
IAGO But for a satisfaction of my thought; No further harm.
OTHELLO Why of thy thought, Iago?
IAGO I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
OTHELLO O, yes; and went between us very oft.
IAGO Indeed!
OTHELLO Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest?
IAGO Honest, my lord?
OTHELLO Honest! ay, honest.
IAGO My lord, for aught I know.
OTHELLO What dost thou think?
IAGO Think, my lord!
OTHELLO Think, my lord!
By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something.
