The Golden Compass Lesson Plan

Why can Iofur be tricked? Is Iofur a pure villain, or is there anything compelling or sympathetic about him?

Discuss how the many of the qualities that make Iofur a villain are “human” traits. Is being human bad? Is it bad for bears to not act like bears, or for humans to not act like humans? If so, why? Iofur's love of gold and gaudiness - not to mention his tyrannical tendencies and alliance with Mrs. Coulter – certainly mark him as villainous. But other elements of Iofur's role are more complex. Is it wrong that Iofur wanted to establish a university for the bears? Consider this question from both a pro- and anti- Iofur perspective. Consider the different methods of...