In the lesson dating 14/09/2010 we began off by imagining a monster, we had to think about and describe a monster. Some of us described a physical monster whilst others considered the metaphorical form of a monster. We then had a class discussion as to whether Shakespeare was a RACIST! Following that we looked at the contemporary views on black people and women that prevailed in Elizabethan Britain. These included:

1. Thomas Elliot – men are strong, smart, desirous of knowledge. Women are timid, weak and tractable.

2. John Knox- “monstrous regiment of women” women are weak, frail, un-wise and disorderly.

3. Queen Elizabeth- angry that black people “crept in to this realm.” she wants them out of the country.

4. Thomas Coryat- women from Venice are promiscuous, they would “open their quivers to any arrow.” their husbands lock them up in fear that their wives might cheat on them. They’re all wh**es.

5. William Davies – Italian women are lewd and wicked!

6. Robert Burton- women are not to be trusted, they are “slippery” especially towards older men. In other words they’re “goldiggas”

7. Robert Burton- Italian men are famous for their uncontrollable jealousy but also southern men in general.

8. Cornelius a lapide- women are an ornament to men, they are just there to be shown and to bring honour to the men. They’re just objects

We then concluded the lesson by beginning to read othelo Act 1 scene 1.

H/W – summarise the rest of the contemporary views 9-15 AND to answer question on IAGO’s speech.

YAHAYA