RUBRIC AND SYNOPSIS This module requires students to engage with and develop an informed personal understanding of their

prescribed text. Through critical analysis and evaluation of its language, content and construction, students will develop an appreciation of the textual integrity of their prescribed text. They refine their own understanding and interpretations of the prescribed text and critically consider these in the light of the perspectives of others. Students explore how context influences their own and others responses to the text and how the text has been received and valued. The Module is therefore requiring students to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of Othello by examining the elements of character, characterisation, structure, language, themes and setting. They need to understand how Othello was received and valued at the time of its writing as well as through subsequent performances of the play. Students should develop a personal understanding as to what Othello says to them now. They should also consider the ideas and perspectives of other people to the play and those other people can include academic critics, their fellow students and their teacher. These perspectives will only be valuable when the students have a deep knowledge and understanding of Othello and have come to terms with what they personally think about the play and its issues, characters and language. Students will also need to understand the context in which Othello was written and what was valued in that context. Subsequent performances of Othello will also be affected by the contextual elements and by different values and this is what continues to give Othello its longevity and allows it to resonate with a range of audiences in a range of contexts. The way we receive and respond to Othello is a product of our context and what we value and students should be encouraged to see that a range of responses will lead to different ways of receiving the play and that these too reflect different values. CORE TERMS Literary Criticism - Discipline concerned with philosophical, descriptive, and evaluative inquiries about literature, including what literature is, what it does, and what it is worth. Meaning - the end, purpose, or significance of a text Responding reacting, showing understanding, coming to a conclusion about meaning Textual Integrity - The definition of textual integrity in the Stage 6 English Syllabus is: "the unity of a text; its coherent use of form and language to produce an integrated whole in terms of meaning and value" Context - In a broad sense context relates to the time and circumstances under which a text is created.

Explain and discuss the concepts of - Context and its influence on meaning - Themes and how they can be conveyed - Textual integrity how and why a text survives a passage of time and can be relevant to a range of audiences from different times and places - Language and construction and how they are used to convey ideas and influence meaning - What forms Shakespeare writes in and why - An informed personal response to a text - Gaining an understanding of others responses to the text and how this can shapes a personal response.