Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)

William Shakespeare

As relevant today as when it was penned almost half a century ago. Othello I think is the best...more

As relevant today as when it was penned almost half a century ago. Othello I think is the best tragedy (arguably, second only to Romeo and Juliet...possibly) in Shakespeares cannon of literature. I think Shakespeare had a knack of writting ever-relevant content in his plays, revolving his complex characters, beautiful settings and language around a simple and timeless core plot which translates to every generation; Othello is no exeption to this rule. "beware the green eyed monster, that doth mock the meat it feeds from" - I see everyday the relevance of this line when only observing or experiencing relationships and many a time I have seen it undo the ties of love as it did in Othello. Othello is not the perfect protagonist (if he can be called that) but Desdimona is certainly a cookie-cutting of the damsel in distress as is Iago an architypal villian but so much more complex. This made me sit and think for a while after I finished it, I felt like something had been pulled from inside it was that draining. Also a very fitting (well, dramatically) ending which is very powerful. Othellos last speech has always stuck with me.   hide

Why does this label say "Sparknotes Othello" when the copy in the picture is clearly the Folger...more

Why does this label say "Sparknotes Othello" when the copy in the picture is clearly the Folger "Othello"? Anyway. This is a very good play, especially when you can see it performed. I really loathed Othello by the end. Iago is possibly one of the best villains ever, although I did wonder if the other characters would really fall into his traps that easily. I don't think anyone could predict others' reactions that well. But still, if you suspend disbelief and assume the gullabilty of the characters, this is a great play.    hide

Really great. Iago is such a devilish villain. It's so brilliant how he manages to use the goodness...more

Really great. Iago is such a devilish villain. It's so brilliant how he manages to use the goodness of others to weave his web of evil and ensare his prey. His wife, Emilia, is also a tremendous character; she is interesting because she seems to possess Iago's cunning, but with a drive for good. Iago is very much a "gay, light-hearted, monster" who easily steals the show.    hide

I feel it's his best play ever. I'm not religious myself but for those of you who are, read the...more

I feel it's his best play ever. I'm not religious myself but for those of you who are, read the play thus: Iago: Satan (or his minion) Desdemona: An Angel Othello: humanity's struggle personified I'm a firm believer that every story ever written strives to examine the human "condition" (for lack of a better term). Either the loss of or our struggle to regain our human identity can be seen in every work. Othello merely throws it in your face... ;)   hide

Either Othello or Hamlet takes the cake for my favorite play by Shakespeare. Most have to read...more

Either Othello or Hamlet takes the cake for my favorite play by Shakespeare. Most have to read these in school and thus don't have any reason to enjoy them, if it's been a while since you've been forced to read Othello sit down and give it a leisurely read at your own pace and you're alot more likely to enjoy it.   hide