Choose a topic from Part A or Part B below:
Part A: Shakespeare's Othello
1.Satanic Iago: Is Iago a Satan-like figure? Should he be seen as a tempter who leads the innocent Othello and Desdemona to their doom out of malice?
2.Desdemona and Emilia: a study in contrasts? Are Desdemona and Emilia fundamentally different? Some see Emilia as the experienced "woman of the world" while seeing Desdemona as possibly dangerously naïve? Are these fair characterizations? Does either character (or both) emerge with complex, fully rounded personalities that tell us important things about the role of women in Venetian society?
3. Uses and Abuses of Language: Track some examples of the use and abuse of language in the play. How do things like puns, dramatic irony, and vague language contribute to the atmosphere of chaos in the play, or foreshadow forthcoming events in this play about sexual and social disorder?
Part B: Current Controversy
1. Shakespeare in the classroom: An Ontario teacher has recently decided to eliminate some Shakespeare from the curriculum to make room for Indigenous writers. Other school boards and schools have done the same. Is this a good idea? Should students read less Shakespeare and more writings by contemporary writers?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/shakespeare-ottawa-english-classes-indigenous-1.4115401
2.First Nations Sports Logos: Should sports teams such as the Indians, the Braves, the Blackhawks, and the Redskins change their names and/or logos to eliminate allegedly racist depictions of Indigenous or First Nations people? Why or why not?
https://news.nationalpost.com/sports/baseball/mlb/ontario-tribunals-decision-to-hear-chief-wahoo-case-could-be-watershed-in-fight-against-racist-caricatures
3. Uber: Is Uber in trouble? Some writers think so; others still believe it will replace traditional taxi driving. What is your position on Uber? Do you think it is a success to be welcomed? Or a failing enterprise that should be abandoned?
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/uber-has-lost-its-inevitability-and-that-may-hurt-the-company-most-of-all-2017-06-15
This essay is your final take-home essay for English 100. The word count is 1500 words. The essay is due no later than June 28. Essays handed in by June 22 will be marked and graded by June 27.