Reviews

Othello by William Shakespeare

savv_thomp's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

ellaholzhei's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sugata's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

onmywaytobefamous's review against another edition

challenging sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

wannabe_lee's review against another edition

3.25

Doth entertain

blueberry_fields's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lilyaulait's review against another edition

4.0

I like it a lot, but I wish it was longer… more time of loving, and more clarity; more absurd and convoluted villainy. I think the sexual jealousy themes are really interesting, and it’s been fascinating to consider how understanding of the play has evolved to emphasize race as a core theme when it wasn’t initially seen as such, but there is something wanting. Something I’m sure I could find on stage, but I do miss it on the page.

thepastelnerd's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Reading journal #9! This is William Shakespeare's Othello!

This is definitely not the most "enjoyable" of Shakespeare's works, but is a tragedy, after all. It's not my favorite play, but I still think it's a worthy inclusion in anyone's library. It offers a reader a glimpse into how race was treated in Shakespeare's time, and it forces the reader to reflect on how they view the topic. These questions are especially well addressed in National Theatre Live's 2023 production of Othello, which I highly recommend.

If you're familiar with the play, tell me your thoughts on it below! 

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kim_buckley's review against another edition

3.0

I had a friend in high school, a male friend, who recited one of Iago's speeches for fun in a German class and I fell in love with him. (for the length of the monologue) I'm not usually attracted to bad guys or my male friends, but at that moment I was all about it. #thanksShakes

iissysmith's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5 This was my tragedy text for my A-Level and unlike the crime one I thoroughly enjoyed this. Iago, who is definitely bisexual, is hands down one of the best Shakespeare characters. He is completely unlikeable and a horrible person but I somehow I spend most of my time rooting for his plan to work. Maybe thats due to the characterisation of Othello, who makes me scream every time he falls for Iago’s ploys. Like dude! Seriously! I love the opportunity the play presents to explore race, status and also gender. To be honest with you this fully revived my enjoinment of Shakespeare after the catastrophe that was GCSE Romeo and Juliet (still salty we didn’t do Macbeth).
Also Kenneth as Iago in the 1995 adaption was chefs joss casting.