Shakespeare, William: 1564-1616

Othello, 1622 - Information about the Book

General Information | Facts | Articles

General Information
- Some of the major themes in this play include racial prejudice, manipulation, and jealousy.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
Facts
- The play is believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story 'Un Capitano Moro' ('A Moorish Captain') by Cinthio.
- Sources
- Pronunciation of Iago
- Racism in "Othello."
- Themes in "Othello."
- Major Characters
- Minor Characters
- Themes and Motifs
- Topics
  
  Jealousy
  Jealousy is the driving force behind the tragic events of the play. Iago plants the seeds of jealousy in Othello's mind, falsely convincing him that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello's overwhelming jealousy leads him to murder his innocent wife.
  Racism and Prejudice
  As a Moor in white Venetian society, Othello faces constant racism and prejudice. This underlying prejudice makes him insecure about his marriage to Desdemona, allowing Iago to manipulate him more easily. The play explores how ingrained racism can lead to tragic consequences.
  
  Manipulation and Deception
  Iago is a master manipulator who deceives all the major characters through his lies and machinations. His ability to twist the truth and plant compelling fictions drives the play's tragic trajectory.
  
  Appearance vs. Reality
  Iago's deceptions highlight the gap between appearance and reality. Othello is convinced by Iago's fiction rather than the reality of Desdemona's innocence, showing how jealousy can distort one's perception.
  
  Love and Betrayal
  The play explores different types of love - romantic love between Othello and Desdemona, platonic love between Desdemona and Cassio, and twisted love like Iago's possessive feelings for Othello. Betrayal of these bonds of love leads to the tragic downfall.
  
  Shakespeare's Othello is a searing exploration of how jealousy, prejudice, and manipulation can shatter lives when fiction is mistaken for reality.
  
  Developed by Perplexity AI
Articles
- Looking at the central question of race and its significance in the play. Emma Smith: University of Oxford
- Video (7:37)
  Exploration of Othello. With more videos. Helen Smith, University of York
- Audio (8:41)
  Jill Kaufman reports on how Paul Robeson, the first black performer of Othello, changed the world of the theater in America and how modern actors look at the part today. NPR-Audio; March 2, 2002
- David Harewood on the Racial Prejudice in Othello. He also shares his experience on being the first black actor to play Othello. PBS; February 6, 2015
- David Harewood on White Actors Playing Othello. He discusses mainly Larry Olivier's performance in 1964. PBS; February 6, 2015
- A Look at the Central Question of Race and its Significance in the play. Emma Smith, Oxford University
- Othello, The Moor Of Venice; with background information