Iago Worksheets

This bundle includes 6 worksheets (17 pages) to help pupils explore Shakespearean villains, with a particular focus on Iago from Othello. Pupils develop their understanding of characterisation, deception, manipulation and the reasons people behave cruelly. Each worksheet includes questions and writing space for pupils to record their ideas and develop their analytical skills.

Students develop their ability to:
Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of villains
Develop their understanding of Iago and his role in Othello
Explore deception, manipulation, ambition and cruelty
Understand characters’ motivations and behaviour
Analyse Shakespeare’s use of language
Analyse quotations and explain their effects
Use textual evidence to support their ideas
Explore what makes a character dangerous
Build confidence when writing about Shakespeare

What’s Included?
Introduction to Villains: Activities exploring what makes a villain, their motivations, key terminology and questions about villainous behaviour.
Shakespeare and Villainy: Questions exploring Shakespeare’s presentation of villains, what makes a character dangerous, why people behave cruelly and whether understanding someone’s motives makes their actions any less wrong.
Iago Character Worksheet: A character description followed by seven questions exploring Iago’s character and behaviour.
Iago and Deception Worksheet: Information about Iago and the theme of deception, followed by five questions.
Iago and Manipulation Worksheet: Information about Iago’s methods of manipulation, four questions about his behaviour and a manipulation scenario with five follow up questions.
Iago Quotation Analysis: Three quotations from Othello with questions on language analysis, a final question on Iago and a model paragraph with missing words to complete.

The worksheets combine reading, comprehension, and language analysis, making them useful for introducing the topic, developing pupils’ understanding or supporting a wider unit on Shakespeare’s villains. They could also be easily combined into a short booklet.