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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Desdemona deserved better!
I just noticed that this is the second Shakespeare play that I have read in a row. It's not a lot, but I don't think that's ever happened. So a big round of applause for me!
Othello... I don't even know what to say. Personally, I think that Shakespeare has done better. I like to look at this play as a morality play first and foremost, because I think it makes the most sense for the time period it was written in. And boy, there is so much morality going on! Iago is literally the devil, tempting Othello to go astray from what he knows is right. I love the movie Inception, and I seriously get Inception-like deception from Iago. (That rhymed!) However, while I think Iago breaking Othello's mind was interesting, his character kind of fell flat- super one dimensional. I imagine this was on purpose as to paint Iago, the devil, as the true source of evil, but I think it's so much fun when characters have more flavor. Nothing in life is ever black and white, and I think Iago gives us a lot of black and white. He is by far the worst Shakespearian villain, because he doesn't even seem human. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth is amazing, and I will stand by that. 5000 times better than Iago.
So let's talk about Othello himself. I feel sad that we didn't get to see pre-Inception Othello, since he was described so highly. I would have totally picked up the book about how Othello and Desdemona fell in love, how he climbed the ladder in the military, and how everyone likes him. However, this is not what happens. The whole time, I wanted Othello to just realize that Desdemona wouldn't cheat on him. This is obviously what good old Will Shakespeare wanted me to feel, but it was SO! FRUSTRATING! Also, I love how death is the number one thing that comes to mind when we speak about revenge. Maybe let's have a nice conversation first before we fight each other in the streets, or drink poison. I swear, all Shakespeare tragedies are one big miscommunication which results in the death and destruction of half the characters.
Poor Desdemona...
3 stars on this one I do declare
I just noticed that this is the second Shakespeare play that I have read in a row. It's not a lot, but I don't think that's ever happened. So a big round of applause for me!
Othello... I don't even know what to say. Personally, I think that Shakespeare has done better. I like to look at this play as a morality play first and foremost, because I think it makes the most sense for the time period it was written in. And boy, there is so much morality going on! Iago is literally the devil, tempting Othello to go astray from what he knows is right. I love the movie Inception, and I seriously get Inception-like deception from Iago. (That rhymed!) However, while I think Iago breaking Othello's mind was interesting, his character kind of fell flat- super one dimensional. I imagine this was on purpose as to paint Iago, the devil, as the true source of evil, but I think it's so much fun when characters have more flavor. Nothing in life is ever black and white, and I think Iago gives us a lot of black and white. He is by far the worst Shakespearian villain, because he doesn't even seem human. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth is amazing, and I will stand by that. 5000 times better than Iago.
So let's talk about Othello himself. I feel sad that we didn't get to see pre-Inception Othello, since he was described so highly. I would have totally picked up the book about how Othello and Desdemona fell in love, how he climbed the ladder in the military, and how everyone likes him. However, this is not what happens. The whole time, I wanted Othello to just realize that Desdemona wouldn't cheat on him. This is obviously what good old Will Shakespeare wanted me to feel, but it was SO! FRUSTRATING! Also, I love how death is the number one thing that comes to mind when we speak about revenge. Maybe let's have a nice conversation first before we fight each other in the streets, or drink poison. I swear, all Shakespeare tragedies are one big miscommunication which results in the death and destruction of half the characters.
Poor Desdemona...
3 stars on this one I do declare
dark
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
Iago = solid villain.
Also, excuse me while I hide in a corner and cry over how stupidly sad this tragedy is (go figure).
Also, excuse me while I hide in a corner and cry over how stupidly sad this tragedy is (go figure).
in a sentence? men don't know how to control their emotions and instead turn to murder.
Fun read, I really love Shakespeare's tragedies more than anything else. I just like seeing somebody's life slowly crumble to shit and then have them realize what's happened to them right at the end. I've loved every Shakespeare play I've read so far and I'm definitely gonna read some more.
Not my favourite of Willy's collection but it was okay.
I'm re-reading some of Shakespeare's plays in tandem with the Hogarth Shakespeare retellings. Othello corresponds to [b:New Boy|31706250|New Boy (Hogarth Shakespeare)|Tracy Chevalier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528217532l/31706250._SY75_.jpg|52388677].
Am I qualified to critique Shakespeare, no I am not. Am I going to do it anyway? A little. I mean, my mom taught Shakespeare so I'm not completely unqualified.
It's a good play, but there are several others I like better. Othello doesn't have as many unforgettable lines as other works of WS. You know, those lines that smack you right in the solar plexus.
Plus, I know Iago has motivation to be upset and wreak havoc, but I don't think he has the motivation to take it as far as he did. OK, yes, it's a tragedy; people have to die. But why isn't Cassio the object of his vengeance? Huh, Iago?! What's up with that? Othello is such a balanced play, you'd think since Iago is Cassio's moral counterpart, they'd duke it out.
Anyway, it's Shakespeare. If you haven't read it, give it a go, and sorry about the spoilers.
Am I qualified to critique Shakespeare, no I am not. Am I going to do it anyway? A little. I mean, my mom taught Shakespeare so I'm not completely unqualified.
It's a good play, but there are several others I like better. Othello doesn't have as many unforgettable lines as other works of WS. You know, those lines that smack you right in the solar plexus.
Plus, I know Iago has motivation to be upset and wreak havoc, but I don't think he has the motivation to take it as far as he did. OK, yes, it's a tragedy; people have to die. But why isn't Cassio the object of his vengeance? Huh, Iago?! What's up with that? Othello is such a balanced play, you'd think since Iago is Cassio's moral counterpart, they'd duke it out.
Anyway, it's Shakespeare. If you haven't read it, give it a go, and sorry about the spoilers.
IM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLAY!
Iago is the most iconic and beautifully crafted villain and i love the themes and I am Just so. I love it. I love it so much. I CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I ADORE IT. ITS SO MELODRAMATIC SOMETIMES TOO IT MADE ME LAUGH.
I genuinely dont know how to weite a good 5 star review but just jnow thrat this is good.
Iago is the most iconic and beautifully crafted villain and i love the themes and I am Just so. I love it. I love it so much. I CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I ADORE IT. ITS SO MELODRAMATIC SOMETIMES TOO IT MADE ME LAUGH.
I genuinely dont know how to weite a good 5 star review but just jnow thrat this is good.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes