'Othello' Quizlet 3
The third in a revision series using quotations from Othello, by Act.
Read MoreOthello: The Duke and the Turks in Act I scene iii
The short scene at the start of Act I scene iii, when the Duke and his advisors work out what to do about the Turkish fleet, prefigure significant issues in Othello: how to judge, how to weigh evidence, how to get to the truth.
Read MoreOthello: the opening scene (Knowing and Satisfaction)
An analysis of the opening scene of Othello, looking at how Shakespeare presents us with ideas of how we can or can not ‘know’ truths, and how we can or can not be ‘satisfied.’
Read MoreGraham Bradshaw on 'Othello'
Graham Bradshaw’s short commentary on Othello is provocative and thought-provoking.
Read More'Othello' Quizlet 2
The second in a revision series using quotations from Othello, by Act.
Read More'Othello: Language and Writing' by Laurie Maguire
Othello: Language and Writing by Laurie Maguire, Professor of English at Oxford University, is in the Student Skills series from Arden Shakespeare, but is also an excellent refresher for teachers.
Read MoreOn the Design of Poetry Textbooks
Poetry is the most dense and intense literary form. It needs time and space. But too often the design of contemporary textbooks does precisely the opposite.
Read MoreThe Usborne Complete Shakespeare
This collection of re-tellings of 37 plays is highly recommended for children, and will also be useful for adults.
Read More'Beowulf' by Maria Dahvana Headley
Maria Dahvana Headley’s sparkling new version of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf also features a brilliant introductory essay on the world as it is right now.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate Paper 2
An analysis of the Higher and Ordinary literature papers in this year’s Leaving Certificate.
Read MoreLeaving Certificate Paper 1
First reaction to English Paper 1 in the 2021 Leaving Certificate.
Read More'To be or not to be' in BSL
Jamal Ajala performs ‘To be or not to be’ in BSL: an opportunity for an interesting exercise in class.
Read MoreMacbeth 6: ten key quotations
The final post in a series of 6 for pupils revising Macbeth. Here are 10 key quotations: think about their significance and write notes before reading the analyses.
Read MoreA Swim in a Pond in the Rain
George Saunders has written a superb book presenting and then commenting on seven great stories by the Russian masters. It is marvellous.
Read MoreCat in the Rain
An exercise for English class suggested by George Saunders in his marvellous book A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: divide Hemingway’s story ‘Cat in the Rain’ into 6 equal parts, handing them out one at a time, and examining the ‘escalations’ of the story.
Read MoreMacbeth 5: the end
Essay 5 in a series on Macbeth looks at the end, particularly the key speech ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.’
Read MoreMacbeth 4: the supernatural
The fourth in a series of essays on Macbeth looks at the impact of the supernatural.
Read MoreMaking Meaning in English
David Didau’s new book is a welcome and rare analysis of the history and current state of English as it is taught as a subject in schools.
Read MoreMacbeth 3: Malcolm the hero?
The third in a series of essays on Macbeth looks at a possible ‘hero’ of the play, Duncan’s son Malcolm.
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