The following are assignments for you to complete for our Othello unit. Assignments must be pre-approved and only one will be assigned per class. Due April 28^th. All room projects are to be large enough to be seen from any point in the classroom.

All assignments are to be visual or auditory. You can use video recorders, tape-players, web pages or hand-drawn or computer generated graphics. If you do not have talent in drawing, don't.

• Chart Othello's changes from the beginning to the end of the play. Create a chart to display on a poster board. Develop a time line of these changes, or create a sketched or computer generated story board. However you display these changes, you must document the scenes that reveal them.

• Choose at least two video versions of Othello and contrast how the directors staged the opening and closing scenes or other pivotal scenes. (e.g.: The BBC and Time/Life production of 1989 begins with Roderigo and Iago making their way to Brabantio's house, preparing to rouse him. The Lawrence Fishburne/Kenneth Branagh version begins, on the other hand, with night shots of the Venetian canals and a montage that includes scenes from the elopement The earlier Orson Welles film begins with the funeral procession of Desdemona and Othello. Iago appears in an iron cage.) Explore:

• Why did each director make his choices?
• What were they emphasizing?
• What was gained or lost?

• Present your finding, not in an essay but on a poster.

• Actors use objects (props) to help communicate aspects of their characters to the audience. Select objects that you believe reveals something about the four main characters: Othello, Desdemonia, Iago, Michael Cassio. Create a Character/Symbol Bag for Othello. Make sure that you have at least 12 props in the bag. And be able to explain what each of the props is and what it symbolizes.

• Draw a poster-size political-type cartoon about Othello and its prejudice. Both talent and concept are of prime importance for this assignment.

• Draw a poster size political-type cartoon about Othello and his jealousy. Both talent and concept are of prime importance for this assignment.

• Draw a poster size political-type cartoon depicting Iago's duplicity. Both talent and concept are of prime importance for this assignment.

• Choose a key scene from the play. Rewrite the scene updating the setting, situation, and characters. Perform the scene on tape player. Where necessary, add sound effects and music. (group possible)

• Take the Lawrence Fishburne/Kenneth Branagh version of Othello. Using the titler (is that a word) or video toaster, make the first act a teaching tool that can be used in the classroom to introduce the characters. (group possible).

• Using the editor or just two VCRs and the Lawrence Fishburne/Kenneth Branagh version of Othello, create a tape that strings together Iago's various duplicities. (group possible). Provide with it, a teacher guide for using it in the classroom.

• Create the first page of a Venetian newspaper in tabloid size and "tabloid" style. Cover some of the major newsworthy events in the play.

• Create a bulletin board size Globe Theater and identify its parts.

• Research historical 17^th century courtship customs and costumes in England. Present these findings in the form a large poster or series of large posters.

• Research "evil" characters in history and literature. Explore those characters' motives. Compare the researched characters with Iago on a large poster.

• Create a bulletin board size board game for Othello. In a legend, give game objective, picture of tokens, etc. (group possible)

• Create a timeline for Shakespeare's life and his plays (must be presented in a similar fashion to the one on The Crucible.

• Create a timeline for the science and literature that corresponds with Shakespeare's life span

• Create a "pop-up" and/or animated HyperStudio program to explore the globe theater.

• Create a TV News Program that is 17^th century-ish and covers the news breaking tragedies in Othello. It may be on videotape or performed live in the classroom. (group possible)

• Take the "Things You Should Know About Shakespeare" page and create the proper links to the words I outline for you.

• Take one of Shakespeare's Sonnets. On a large posterboard, write/type the original sonnet. Use the original for inspiration and next to it write/type an "updated" version of the same sonnet. Shakespearean sonnet form must be adhered to.

• Create a hyperlink summery of the play Othello. Hyperlinks will pop-up or link to graphics, important lines for support of text, background information, and explanation of terms or vocabulary.