Full description not available
K**D
Beautifully written
Othello, or The Tradegy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a tragic play written by the illustrious William Shakespeare, who also wrote many more plays throughout his lifetime and is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. The first edition was written in approximately 1603, and the story is based upon a short Italian story called "Un Capitano Toro," or "The Moorish Captain." There have been many editions printed and to this day Othello is still performed in professional and communities today. It's impossible to shake the popularity of Shakespeare's works, if not all, as Othello has spawned numerous movie, opera, and book versions. The edition that I am reviewing is the electronic Kindle version, published by Public Domain Books, with 182 pages and in playwright form. Set in the beautiful city of Venice and the country of Cyprus, the story takes place in about the late 1500s, and the early 1600s. Othello, a courageous and skilled soldier, is married to the lovely Desdemona, with whom he is quite taken with. Though Othello has everything going for him there is one person who, unbeknownst to him, threatens to destroy that happiness. That person is Iago, Othello's appointed ensign. Hidden under a veil of honesty, Othello puts bestows great trust on Iago, though the latter is, in reality, a cruel and despicable man who will do anything to get what he desires. Including characters that simply add more thrilling drama and shocking intrigue, the play beautifully and darkly illustrates Othello's descent into madness, and leads up to the stunning conclusion that truly makes this a "tragedy." After Othello secretly elopes with Desdemona, a wealthy man named Roderigo who is upset at this arrangement complains to Iago, a soldier that serves under Othello. Iago and Roderigo share the shame ire towards the former but for different reasons. After having promoted the younger and less-experienced Cassio to lieutenant over himself, Iago plots to manipulate Othello into thinking that his wife is cheating on him. Iago proceeds to use his guile to toy with Othello's mind, shattering the trust he felt towards Desdemona, and morphing him into a vessel filled with rage, doubt, jealousy. Effectively, he utilizes Cassio and even his own wife to spite Othello. In a rage of grief and jealousy, Othello chooses to believe Iago's words, and more than one person has fallen to his serpent's tongue. Othello demonstrates the importance of trust. For example, Othello trusted Iago, and was therefore easily swayed by his words. His trust for Desdemona shatters with each moment of evidence that arises in favor of Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio. Another theme is believing what your eyes see versus reality. The force of Iago's manipulations made a greater force on Othello, rendering him paranoid and green with envy. Despite her husband's odd behavior towards her, Desdemona does nothing more than try to reinforce her love for him, despite his harsh words. Because of that love, she still has faith in him. Sadly, that faith doesn't pull through in the end... This play was nothing short of impressive. Beautifully written, nothing less from the great Shakespeare, it is a read that teens will find exciting, despite the year it was written. Though Othello is the title character, the one who shined the most to me was definitely Iago. He is the epitome of cruelty and manipulation, the kind of person that everyone loves to hate. Desdemona's love for Othello despite his mistrust of her was touching, and the ending left me deeply saddened, but had me cheering for its brilliance. This book is simply another gem from William Shakespeare and, dare I say it, possibly one of his best.
A**N
Great book!
The Folger Shakespeare Library edition provides an excellent introduction to the play, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced readers of Shakespeare. The introduction and annotations are informative and enhance the understanding of the text, especially for those not familiar with the language of the Elizabethan era.The character of Othello is masterfully portrayed, and his descent into jealousy and madness is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. Iago's cunning manipulation is brilliantly depicted, leaving you questioning the depths to which human jealousy can drive a person.The themes explored in "Othello" are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time, making this play a timeless exploration of human nature and the destructive power of jealousy and mistrust.Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or just looking for a compelling read, "Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)" is a must-have addition to your library. It's a powerful work of literature that will leave a lasting impression and provide plenty of material for reflection and discussion.In conclusion, I highly recommend this edition of "Othello" to anyone who appreciates classic literature, intricate character development, and profound themes. It's a brilliant and enduring masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers of all generations.
A**E
Othello
There is no other author like Shakespeare. Reading his plays can be challenging but also rewarding. Othello is a great one to read if you want to ease into his writing. The story is tragic, but satisfying without being too complex.
A**N
extremely long!
Very useful to use for "Shakespeare work shop I take part in.
R**.
The terrible art to manipulate hearts. (AmazonClassics Edition)
Iago stole the show for me. A formidable foe that plays with the desires of all characters while having a facade of honest and trusty man, I have read stories with demons but no one seems to be on par with this delicious character. I love how Shakespeare makes everything inevitable, as if he himself would not exist but the world he writes would be so real and the characters, despite their best efforts, cannot avoid to be crushed by a doom heavy as an ocean. There is in the background a war with Turks but the story is so intense that that war pales in comparison with the passions of Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo and Iago. An excellent reading that I am happy to have not been spoiled to read at school, institution that would ask us to memorize dates or analize names but not to enjoy the reading.Also I found something curious. I have noticed in English speaking countries persons have the idea that Moors were a kind of black kingdom in Spain. Certainly the noble but unfortunate Othello is black, but he is not from Spain but from Morocco. The Moors were not an African culture but an Arabian one, over a native Spaniard population that mostly was Arrian rather than Catholic, so they felt closer to the Muslim world than the Catholicism that look them as heretics. Until this beautiful book I didn't know why that misunderstanding, of course being Othello such an amazing reading is natural that fantasy would alter the perception of reality.In reference to the AmazonClassics edition it has X-Ray, mostly about the identity of the characters. It is not a book populated with footnotes and data; but I prefer it thus. There are no obstacles between the book and the reader.
B**B
A Portable Classic with Room to Personalize
Shakespeare's "Othello" is an absolute masterpiece, and this pocket-sized version does it justice. The play itself is a captivating exploration of jealousy, betrayal, and human nature. It's a must-read for any literature enthusiast.What makes this edition truly outstanding is its portability. It's small enough to slip into a pocket or bag, making it perfect for on-the-go reading. Moreover, the generous margin space allows for annotations and personal reflections, enhancing the reading experience.If you're a fan of Shakespeare or simply want to delve into one of his greatest works, this pocket-sized "Othello" is an excellent choice. It combines the convenience of size with the enduring brilliance of the play itself. Highly recommended!
S**O
Libro
Come previsto
R**S
The quality of the book
Very high quality product delivered by Amazon. Thank you amazon
R**2
Sehr gute klassische Englische Literatut
Viel ist an diesem Buch nicht auszusetzen. Es ist ein klassisches Meisterwerk von William Shakespeare!
J**A
muy bien
todo perfecto
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