Othello

by William Shakespeare

Dr. Barbara A. Mowat (Editor) and Paul Werstine (Editor)

The authoritative edition of Othello from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.

In Othello, Shakespeare creates powerful drama from a marriage between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona that begins with elopement and mutual devotion and ends with jealous rage and death. Shakespeare builds many differences into his hero and heroine, including race, age, and cultural background. Yet most readers and audiences believe the couple’s strong love would overcome these differences were it not for Iago, who sets out to destroy Othello. Iago’s false insinuations about Desdemona’s infidelity draw Othello into his schemes, and Desdemona is subjected to Othello’s horrifying verbal and physical assaults.

This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading

Essay by Susan Snyder

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

• ISBN10: 0743477553
• ISBN13: 9780743477550
• Publish Date: 16 February 2004 (first published 1 January 1920)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 15 September 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

I have a love-hate relationship with Shakespeare. Shakespeare is a genius who wrote about timeless themes that exist in the modern world and his writing is amazing, but the unveiling of his stories are extremely dramatic and overdone (I get that this a play, but still...) and his 16th century language is a HUGE barrier.

I'm a fan of simple writing that seeps into my skin. If I read something that involves 16th century language or has the purple-prose, I have to be in the mood to read it. Unfortunately, I had to read Othello for my school exams and I wasn't in the mood to read and understand poetic language that went over my head.

With that in mind, here's a list of what I loved and loathed:

LOVED
♦ The tragedy.
♦ The themes of racism, jealousy, pride, honour and the downfall of a hero.
♦ The manipulation and lies.
♦ Delving into the psyche' of people.
♦ Iago, one of the most evil and manipulative villains I have ever read about!

LOATHED
♦ The coincidences. Especially the ones involving the handkerchief
♦ The fact that everything could have been solved if people just communicated!
♦ The lack of connection between this book and I.
♦ The characters inability to notice a villain in their midst.
♦ Language being used as a barrier.
♦ My book edition's cover.

[Linda]

3.5 stars... It's been a while since I have read a story with such a mean and heartless villain as Iago! And also, it's been a LONG while since I've read about a more naive hero than Othello. The big upside in this is that both Desdemona and Emilia are portrayed as quite strong and sure of themselves.

Shakespearian language is hard to grasp but after studying Othello in Literature I've definitely found it easier to follow. The love within the play is overwhelming but the pure jealousy and rage that can be found within the pages is enrapturing and it makes readers question their own ideals and values. The questions Shakespeare asks of our own relationships is valuable to anyone and his views and values are still relevant today. And who doesn't love a villain? Iago is awesome.