Review (PDF) Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)
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. The authoritative edition of Othello from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, 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.
Series: Folger Shakespeare Library
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (August 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743482824
ISBN-13: 978-0743482820
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (340 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #160,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #274 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Dramas & Plays #280 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Shakespeare > Works #355 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Regional & Cultural > European
As a play, "Othello" encompasses many things but more than anything else it is a study of pure evil. Although Othello is an accomplished professional soldier and a hero of sorts, he is also a minority and an outcast in many ways. As a Black man and a Moor (which means he's a Moslem), Othello has at least two qualities, which make him stand out in the Elizabethan world. He is also married to a Caucasian woman named Desdemona, which creates an undercurrent of hostility as evidenced by the derogatory remark "the ram hath topped the ewe".Othello's problems begin when he promotes one of his soldiers, Michael Cassio as his lieutenant. This arouses the jealousy and hatred of one of his other soldiers, Iago who hatches a plot to destroy Othello and Michael Cassio. When Cassio injures an opponent in a fight he is rebuked, punished, and subsequently ignored by Othello who must discipline him and teach him a lesson. Iago convinces Desdemona to intervene on Cassio's behalf and then begins to convince Othello that Desdemona is in love with Cassio.This is actually one of the most difficult Shakespeare plays to watch because the audience sees the plot begin to unfold and is tormented by Othello's gradual decent into Iago's trap. As with other Shakespeare plays, the critical components of this one are revealed by language. When Othello is eventually convinced of Cassio's treachery, he condemns him and promotes Iago in his place. When Othello tells Iago that he has made him his lieutenant, Iago responds with the chilling line, "I am thine forever". To Othello this is a simple affirmation of loyalty, but to the audience, this phrase contains a double meaning.
Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library) King Lear (Folger Ed.) (New Folger Library Shakespeare) Shakespeare Set Free: Teaching Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth & Midsummer Night (Folger Shakespeare Library) Spark Notes No Fear Shakespeare Othello (SparkNotes No Fear Shakespeare) The Oxford Shakespeare: Othello: The Moor of Venice (The Oxford Shakespeare) Measure for Measure (Folger Shakespeare Library) Hamlet ( Folger Library Shakespeare) Macbeth (Folger Shakespeare Library) Romeo and Juliet (Folger Shakespeare Library) A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Shakespeare Library) The Tempest (Folger Shakespeare Library) Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Shakespeare Library) Twelfth Night (Folger Shakespeare Library) The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Shakespeare Library) Richard III (Folger Shakespeare Library) Henry IV, Part 1 (Folger Shakespeare Library) Henry V (Folger Shakespeare Library) Richard II (Folger Shakespeare Library) The Winter's Tale (Folger Shakespeare Library) As You Like It (Folger Shakespeare Library)
