The Plan Notes

Exemplar IO Plan

Global Issue: The damaging impact of power imbalances in marriage on women

Texts: Othello by William Shakespeare (literary, originally written in English) and A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (literary, work in translation)

Introduction (1–1.5 mins)

1. Introduce the global issue: Power imbalances in marriage can harm women emotionally, mentally, and physically.
2. Present the two texts:
   1. Othello by William Shakespeare (literary text, originally in English)
   2. A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (literary text, work in translation, originally in Norwegian)
3. State the thesis:
   1. Both texts depict patriarchal marriage as a space where women’s voices are silenced and their identities suppressed.
   2. While Shakespeare explores the violent consequences of male dominance, Ibsen critiques the emotional damage caused by control and infantilization.

Literary Text 1: Othello

1. Close Analysis 1
   1. Quote: “My lord” / “Devil”
   2. Technique: Juxtaposition of terms of address
   3. Insight: Desdemona shows submission, Othello asserts dominance through insults
   4. Link to GI: Reveals the emotional toll of imbalanced power, women remain respectful even when abused
2. Close Analysis 2
   1. Quote: “Out of my sight!”
   2. Technique: Imperative command with punctuation
   3. Insight: Shows Othello’s aggressive dominance and refusal to allow Desdemona a voice
   4. Link to GI: Language becomes a weapon that enforces submission and strips agency
3. Wide Analysis 1
   1. Quote: “Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
   2. Technique: Declarative language + juxtaposition
   3. Insight: Desdemona accepts death, has no real power to resist
   4. Link to GI: Demonstrates the ultimate cost of domestic power abuse, women's lives
4. Wide Analysis 2
   1. Quote: “My bloody thoughts, my violent pace”
   2. Technique: Repetition and visceral imagery