Essay by Katy Brown 10 lt
A typical villain is someone who purposefully hurts somebody else to help their
selves to get what they want. They scheme and use others to get what they want.
You would know if someone was a villain because they would be creeping around on
stage. They build up to their plan by getting others to be upset or by telling different
people made up stories which are all connected to the villain’s scheme.
The atmosphere is uneasy when the villain is around, especially if the audience knows
something which the actors don’t.
In the first scene, Shakespeare would want to introduce the villain
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Peer Reviews
Here's what a star student thought of this essay
Quality of writing
The essay is structured okay. I like how the introduction engages with the question, and there is a clear conclusion. However, the points seem a bit scattered and I would've preferred a few longer paragraphs rather than more shorter ones. The language used is sometimes a bit colloquial, and this shows with the incredibly short sentences.
Level of analysis
The analysis is basic. I did, however, like what the introduction was trying to do. It is key at any level to define the terms discussed in the essay, as often these can be interpreted in many ways. By giving a clear definition, it allows a focused essay and a strong argument. I would've liked the introduction to have been more sophisticated, but the discussion of what a villain means is a great introduction - much better than bolted on context about when Shakespeare was writing plays. It was nice to see that the essay references Shakespeare's constructs, and thus goes on to explain why he chooses such techniques. Another good part of this essay is the way they acknowledge it is a play at all times, showing the dramatic effect of Iago's presence on stage, and the audience's response is always addressed. Although the language and imagery analysis is basic, they are perceptive in the response of the audience. I liked how this essay tried to weave in a contemporary audience argument, showing how the choice of making Othello black would've been shocking to audiences at the time. Although there is little evidence in this paragraph, or analysis, such skills will gain credit in an essay if weaved in well.
Response to question
This essay has potential, outlining the villainous features of Iago. I feel this essay has potential as it picks out some great points and quotes well, it just lacks the analysis required to reach the top marks. It includes some promising paragraphs that great essays could interweave.
