Great works of literature have an enduring quality that allows them to survive the test of time. They remain relevant because they deal with fundamental aspects of human life that are timeless and universal.

'Othello' is a prime example of such a work. The play tells the tragic story of Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, who is consumed by jealousy and suspicion and ultimately kills his innocent wife, Desdemona. Iago, his trusted subordinate, plants the seeds of doubt in Othello's mind, leading him to believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Gripped by jealousy, Othello strangles Desdemona in a fit of rage.

What is particularly fascinating about 'Othello' is the way in which Shakespeare explores the theme of jealousy. Right from the beginning of the play, Desdemona's father warns Othello that she may betray him. This foreshadows the tragic events that are to come and adds an element of irony to the story. It is Othello, not Desdemona, who betrays their love in the most brutal way possible.

I would like to explore the significance of the line "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:/She has deceived her father, and may thee." What made Desdemona's father say this with such certainty? It could be that he is simply being overprotective of his daughter, or perhaps he has some inkling of the trouble that is to come. Whatever the reason, this line sets the stage for the jealous drama that unfolds.

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can have devastating consequences. In the case of Othello and Desdemona, it is clear that there are deeper issues at play than just simple jealousy. The theme of race also emerges as an important factor in the story. Othello is a Moor, and there are suggestions that he is resented by some of the other characters because of his cultural and physical differences. This may contribute to his insecurities and make him more vulnerable to Iago's manipulation.

Shakespeare's exploration of these themes is both complex and nuanced. He shows us how jealousy and race can interact to create a tragic situation. At the same time, he also reminds us of the universality of these emotions and the importance of understanding and empathy in human relationships.

In conclusion, 'Othello' is a great work of literature that continues to resonate with audiences today. It challenges us to think about the nature of jealousy, race, and love, and to consider how these factors can impact our lives. Shakespeare's ability to create complex and believable characters and to explore profound themes makes him one of the greatest playwrights of all time.

On a side note, it does seem strange to award stars to Shakespeare. His works are so influential and important that they almost defy such a simplistic rating system. However, perhaps it is a way for us to express our appreciation for his genius and to recognize the lasting impact that his plays have had on the world of literature and beyond.

Shakespeare's classic play is a profound exploration of complex human emotions such as jealousy, neurosis, obsession, guilt, and even bedroom violence.

The question of whether Iago is Shakespeare's most villainous villain is a matter of debate. Perhaps, as I would argue, my money is still on King Lear's Edmund. However, there is no denying that Iago has served as a template for those backstabbing, double-dealing bad guys ever since.

This play is yet another example of Shakespeare's amazing ability in characterization and his talent for creating psychological drama.

The image accompanying this text further enhances the understanding of the play, with its depiction adding a visual dimension to the complex themes and characters.

Shakespeare's works continue to captivate audiences and scholars alike, and this play is no exception, offering a rich and thought-provoking experience.

Reread for class January 2016

This is the first Shakespeare play that I have read independently. The process of rereading it and studying it in class has provided me with an entirely new perspective, which has made me love it even more!

Shakespeare's works are renowned for their complex characters, profound themes, and beautiful language. By rereading this play, I have been able to delve deeper into the story and understand the motives and emotions of the characters. The discussions and analyses in class have also enhanced my understanding, as I have been able to hear different interpretations and viewpoints from my classmates.

Moreover, studying Shakespeare in class has allowed me to appreciate the historical and cultural context in which his plays were written. This has given me a greater understanding of the social and political issues of the time and how they are reflected in the play. Overall, the experience of rereading and studying this Shakespeare play has been a truly enriching one, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

Here is my copy of Othello with the felty, suspicious looking fox bookmark that Karen made for my birthday.

He's protecting this book, and doesn't trust anyone!

Othello would have done well to be a little less trustworthy. Silly Moor.

A bunch of other reviews I noticed have pointed out that this is in some way a great study of sexual jealousy. I think this is an interesting reading of the play, and really more telling of the reader and his or her own feelings / history than the play itself. If this had been a play delving into the psyche and torment of someone in the throes of sexual jealousy, it would be more like taking Othello and making him behave more like Hamlet. I'd say that Othello isn't tormented by sexual jealousy. That would involve some kind of introspection on his part. It would involve a level of imagination that is remarkably absent in Othello. His lack of imagination is one of the traits that allows Iago to manipulate him so perfectly. Othello would need to think to be tormented by jealousy. If he did this, then there is a chance that the tragedy of this play would be averted. Instead, his only reaction is rage.

That isn't to say that the play isn't about jealousy. It is. That is the central motivating factor, but it's not the Jerry Springer kind of jealousy where it's all about who is sleeping with who and now we beat each other up for the viewers' enjoyment. It's a more subtle kind. It is Iago's jealousy of Cassio that propels the action and sets into motion the destruction one expects in a Shakespearean tragedy. Iago is the character who suffers the torments of jealousy because he can reflect on it and has allowed himself to be so consumed by these feelings that he attempts to bring about the destruction of everyone around him so that everyone can suffer with him. He's much more interesting than Othello, who reminds me more of one of those little cars from the 80's that you put a penny on the back of and then pulled back on and let them race off in a straight line. Maybe fun to watch, but not terribly interesting or surprising. However, I really liked this play. I just think that there are much more interesting things going on than this review mentions or than simply saying it's a play about sexual jealousy. Neither of those do much justice to the play.

Othello is included in my top five favorite Shakespeare plays.

I have a profound affection for the characters and the enchanting romance that blossoms between Othello and Desdemona. However, the single most crucial element that elevates this play to the status of one of my favorites is Iago.

He is the epitome of a perfect villain. With just a few whispered lies in the ears of his victims, he manages to unleash a torrent of pain and violence.

He is the character that one loves to hate. Fuelled by a sense of revenge, he believes he has been unjustly wronged. Denied a promotion that he firmly believes should have been his, he embarks on a diabolical mission to destroy Othello and Cassio. Cassio, of course, received the promotion that, in Iago's warped mind, rightfully belonged to him.

Then there is Desdemona, the woman who sacrifices her family for love, only to meet a tragic end, strangled by her husband, all because of the lies spun by Iago.

It is indeed a wonderful play, provided one can overlook the pervasive racism that impacts almost all the characters. Othello is described as the Moor.

In today's society, it is challenging to read a book from a time when racism was an accepted part of everyday life.

Nonetheless, I am captivated by this tragic tale where love fails to conquer all. The characters, in their susceptibility to believing the lies,展现出 a truly human side.

Sometimes, as I am reading, this synesthetic phenomenon kicks in.

I vividly remember when I was reading Martin Amis's Inside Story. He described Christopher Hitchens's speech in such a vivid manner that as I read those words, I could almost hear that famous voice of Hitchens.

Here, in this instance, it is Orson Welles's voice reciting Othello's lines. And I wonder how many years ago it was that I saw Welles's film interpretation of the play. It seems like an eternity ago.

This synesthetic ability is truly a strange facility. What I am really curious about is whether other readers possess this synesthetic gift. Yes, indeed, let's call it a gift. It makes the reading experience so much more immersive and unique, as if the words on the page come alive in a whole new dimension. I would love to hear from other readers who may have had similar experiences and explore this fascinating aspect of our reading perception further.

A work that delves into the complex themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal still holds great significance and relevance in our contemporary society.

It serves as a powerful mirror that reflects the various aspects of human nature and the social issues that continue to persist.

This particular edition of the work is truly excellent. The language is vivid and engaging, drawing the reader in from the very first page.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read it, and it left a profound impact on me.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing what will happen next.

It makes you think about the consequences of our actions and the importance of treating others with respect and equality.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human emotions and the challenges faced by our society today.

Othello = The Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare

Othello, also known as The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a remarkable tragedy penned by the great William Shakespeare, likely in 1603.

It draws its inspiration from the story Un Capitano Moro (\\"A Moorish Captain\\") by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, which was first published in 1565.

The narrative centers around two pivotal characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his deceitful ensign, Iago. With its rich and timeless themes of racism, love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, and repentance, Othello remains a staple in both professional and community theater. It has also served as the source material for countless operatic, film, and literary adaptations.

The play was first staged in January 1974 and again on June 10, 2012.

The book titled \\"Othello with the Use of the Poems of Nima Yushij\\" is a play by the English playwright William Shakespeare. It was translated by Abdolhossein Nushin, who sometimes used the poetry of Nima Yushij to translate the dialogues. It is a romantic and tragic play written in 1603 or 1604. This play is based on a story called \\"A Moorish Captain (1565)\\" by the Italian writer Cinthio. In this play, Shakespeare explores the theme of betrayal in love. In this tragedy, Othello (also known as the Moor), the male protagonist who is a Moorish commander in the Venetian army, is incited by one of his subordinates, Iago, to suspect the fidelity of his wife, Desdemona. Without discussing the matter with his wife, he brutally kills her. However, after her death, he realizes the innocence of his faithful wife, but it is too late.

The date of dissemination was 03/08/1399 Hijri Shamsi; 08/07/1400 Hijri Shamsi; A. Sharbiani

I made up my mind to commence my task of reading all 38 plays in The Complete Plays of Shakespeare, beginning with Othello. It proved to be a splendid choice to start with the New Cambridge edition.

I regarded this reading as an academic exploration of the bard. Generally, it took me nearly 3 hours of continuous reading to finish one average-sized scene, which was around 10 - 15 pages! Even after reading each scene three times - once aloud and twice in a normal manner - I still felt that I hadn't fully grasped it. I only moved on to the next scene because of the suspense. What a genius Shakespeare was! His wonderful wordplays, sense of drama, and malice were truly remarkable. I couldn't believe that I had never experienced such joy in Shakespeare until now.

All in all, it took significantly longer than initially anticipated. However, that is the downside of reading annotated works as one has to read every scene three times.

Anyway, these New Cambridge Editions are treasure troves of information, and I will continue to use them for the other plays as well. I hope that my mission won't take years to complete at this pace.

One final comment: Iago is my favorite literary character after Don Quixote.

Shakespeare's works are a treasure trove of literary excellence, and "Othello" is no exception.

\\n  I understand a fury in your words.
But not the words.\\n

The play presents a complex web of emotions, relationships, and social issues.

On one hand, it can be seen as an "anti-racist" text, especially in the first half where Iago's manipulation of Brabantio's racist fears is exposed.

The portrayal of Venice as a place where a Black man can achieve some success but still faces discrimination is astute.

However, as the play progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to view Othello as a sympathetic character.

His descent into jealousy, misogyny, and violence makes it seem as if the text is perpetuating racist stereotypes.

The use of beastly imagery to describe Othello only adds to this perception.

Moreover, the play's engagement with other topics such as religion and gender further complicates its message.

The conclusion, where Othello ends his life with a speech that seems to reinforce the idea that Black men can't be trusted with white women, is deeply troubling.

Despite these issues, "Othello" is a masterful work of craftsmanship.

It is as engaging and streamlined as some of Shakespeare's other tragedies, and its power as a drama is undeniable.

However, this only makes it more important to examine its deeper implications and address them with honesty.

Ultimately, the meaning of "Othello" will probably always be up for debate, but its significance as a work of literature cannot be denied.

From the Preface of the Book:

It has been nearly three hundred years since Shakespeare's plays were written. In Shakespeare's time, there was no such thing as modern stage decoration in theaters. During the performance, similar to the ancient Iranian ta'zieh plays, they indicated the location of the event with a sign that the audience was also familiar with and accustomed to. For example, when a tree branch was placed on the stage, it meant that the event was taking place in a forest; a large water container was a sign of a river or sea; when an actor entered the stage with a lantern, the audience understood that it was moonlight. Beyond this, in Shakespeare's plays - and also those of his contemporaries - each act does not have a specific location. Instead, each act is divided into several or many tableaux, and in each tableau, the location of the event (Lieu d'action) changes. Sometimes it happens that an act of a Shakespeare play has ten scenes or tableaux. The first tableau is daytime, the second is night, the third is a storm with thunder and lightning, the fourth is clear weather with the sun shining, the fifth is a senate meeting, the sixth is a street... Therefore, with the many advancements that theater techniques have made from three centuries ago until now, if today's directors (Metteurs en scène) want to bring Shakespeare's plays or those of his contemporaries onto the stage in the same form as they were presented in their own time, it will not be in line with the taste and expectations of today's audience. Because the new theater techniques have accustomed the eyes and tastes of the audience to the mise en scène and the constructed and painted decorations. And if they want to present those plays as they are written with new techniques and decorations, it is impossible.

### Betrayal ###

Perhaps: the worst, the most despicable, the ugliest, the most contemptible, the most abominable, the most detestable, the most blameworthy, the most shameful, the most loathsome, the most unpleasant, the most unacceptable, the most disgraceful, the most inappropriate, the most unseemly, the most unnatural, the most unwanted, the most irrational, the most unacceptable, the most unethical and... the behavior of a human being could be.

#######

I kind of feel like I'm dealing with Shakespeare's plays.