One of the most powerful dramas ever written for the stage, Othello is a story of revenge, illusion, passion, mistrust, jealousy, and murder. If in Iago Shakespeare created the most compelling villain in Western literature, in Othello and Desdemona he gave us our most tragic and unforgettable lovers.
What’s your favourite Shakespeare play? I finished reading Othello yesterday and added it to my top three favourite Shakespeare plays.
Some of the major themes in this play include racial prejudice, manipulation, and jealousy. Specifically, Othello is regarded as a “beast” by other characters because he is black, a senior general in the Venetian army, and married to a beautiful white woman called Desdemona who is the daughter of a prominent senator named Brabantio.
The plot is built around false accusation, and the tragedy that unfolds thereafter.
I have to admit that I did find Othello to be highly gullible. All it took was a handkerchief for him to believe that his wife was unfaithful. Nevertheless, this play certainly deserves it’s rightful praise.
One of the greatest tragedies I’ve read.
4+ of 5 stars to Othello, a tragic play written in 1603, by William Shakespeare. When it comes to writing a thorough review about this Shakespearean work of art, it could take weeks and days to craft perfection; however, I’ve already stumbled upon a few across Goodreads, and the world doesn’t need another interpretation by a middle-aged white guy. Nor does it need my opinion about what this says of a person’s ethnic background, skin color or personality traits. But what the world does need to hear from me… at least if I’m going to post a review… is why I liked it. And I’ll keep it shorts, as we’ve all likely studied this one in high school or college, read it on our own, or watched a TV/Film adaption at some point. If you haven’t, shame on you… stop reading right now, go find one, then come back and let’s chat.
All sarcasm aside, my commentary on Othello is going to purely reflect my thoughts on three characters: Desdemona, Othello and Iago. Your non-classic classic triangle. A battle of good versus evil. Issues of trust in a marriage. All themes that have been explored countless times in literature. What captivates my attention in this play, over 400 years old, is the connection between Desdemona and Othello. A pure love tortured by all the games people play.
Desdemona is an enigma. She is a beautiful woman. A Greek goddess by any other means. She has it all. But she still falls prey to another’s claws. We’ve all been there. None of us are strong enough to resist with 100% force that our lover, partner, significant other or spouse are truly perfect. Doubt will always pervade our minds. Sometimes it’s just a momentary twitch. Others, you stalk the person until you are convinced chastity remains. 🙂
Othello is brilliant. He’s strong and faithful. He is powerful. But he is weak. As are we all. We allow ourselves to get into these positions, all because of experience and hearsay and tunnel vision. He is flawed, but he is every single one of us.
Iago, of course, the villain. Perhaps he simply has his own needs and wants. Maybe he is trying to meet his own objectives in some strange manner. But he is what so many future evil characters are based upon.
Reading this story in play format would be hard by today’s standards. But Shakespeare made it glisten during his time, and for me, it does so now, as well.
I love this story for all the hidden gems. It has more complexities than most of his other works, though many would argue it’s a basic story of love, betrayal, revenge and confusion. At first glance, yes. But when you dig deeper, you’ll find all the treasures.
I promised short… I’ve gone overboard. But hopefully your eyes are tearing from boredom. Read it please. And let’s converse, friends.