English 12: Critical Writing Essay Prompts for Othello
Choose ONE of the following prompts and write a complete, thorough essay of at least three pages in
response. Use proper MLA format and submit your final draft to Turnitin.com. Due on _____________
Critical Writing Essay A: Women in Othello
In Othello, Shakespeare gives a representation of three types of women: the privileged noblewoman,
the tough middle-class servant, and the low-class prostitute. Examine his depictions of each of these
women. Was Shakespeare sexist? That is, do you think he would agree with Iago that women are useless
creatures who “rise to play, and go to bed to work”? Was he classist? For example, would he agree with
Cassio that it would be ridiculous to marry a common prostitute like Bianca? Does he mean for us to
view the high-class Desdemona as a more pure and better person than Emilia? Brainstorm on these
questions, and then come up with a thesis statement about Shakespeare’s depiction of women. In your
essay, use quotes and examples from the play to support your thesis.
Critical Writing Essay B: Othello as Tragic Hero
Is Othello a true tragic hero? Is he the central character of the play? If Othello is a tragic hero, what is his
tragic flaw? Some critics have said it is his jealousy; others have said it is his gullibility, in that he is too
quick to believe Iago’s insinuations. Other critics have claimed that Othello is not a true tragic hero,
because he is brought down not by a tragic flaw but by the machinations of the villain Iago. Still others
have claimed that the true hero of the play is not Othello, but Iago. Write an essay in which you defend
your position on the matter. Discuss how well Othello fits the definition of a tragedy, and how well
Othello fits the definition of a tragic hero.
Critical Writing Essay C: The Villainy of Iago
Write an essay in which you discuss the character of Iago. Here are some possible positions you might
take in your essay:
■ Iago is a classic two-faced villain, with no motives for his crimes other than to “plume up his
will.” His soliloquies are, as Coleridge put it, merely the “motive-hunting of motiveless
malignity.”
■ Iago is not a believable character: he is too evil, like a caricature of a villain. Shakespeare
should have made him more human, more realistic.
■ Iago is not as terrible a villain as he is commonly thought, and certainly no evil genius. He
never meant for his plan to go as far as it did—he never meant for Desdemona or Cassio or
Othello to die. He just wanted to get revenge on Othello, who he believed slept with his wife,
but his plan spun out of his control.
■ Although it is commonly believed that the Moor’s jealousy leads to the tragic events in
Othello, it is actually Iago’s jealousy that causes all the trouble.
Critical Writing Essay D: The Character of Desdemona
Write a critical essay examining the character of Desdemona. Before you start, brainstorm about
questions such as the following: Why did Desdemona marry Othello, when she could have chosen from
all the “wealthy curled darlings” of Venice? What does that choice say about her? Why does she
continue to declare her love for Othello even as his actions become more abusive and irrational? In your
essay, consider how Desdemona’s character is developed not only through her own words and actions
but also through what other characters say about her—notably Brabantio, Cassio, and Emilia.
Critical Writing Essay E: Race in Othello
Write an essay examining the role of race in Othello. In your essay, you might deal with such questions
as the following: Is Othello’s race an important factor in the play? Does racism contribute to Othello’s
tragic downfall? If so, how? If not, why not?