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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This tragic tale by a young up-and-comer has much to recommend it by way of fluid and evocative language. But if this writer hopes to make any lasting impact, he'll have to try a little harder when it comes to his two-dimensional and rather dated characterizations of women; his improbably convoluted plot lines; and his penchant for bloody denouement. Could have been far worse, though.
At the start, I thought I'd be uncomfortable or embarrassed by the race issue, so I was entirely surprised when I was just so agonized by the psychological horror. Shakespeare has made me feel many different emotions but I did not expect fear to be one of them.
This is just a quick version of the play. Yes, it uses Shakespeare's language, but a lot is cut out of it. It does give you most of the general idea of what's going on though, and the illustrations are attractive enough. Not outstanding, but they let you see what's going on in the play which is so much more helpful than only reading the sometimes difficult to understand dialogue. I think it took me like a half hour to read or so. It definitely can't replace the play itself, but it's a good introduction I guess you could say.
This was the third time I’ve taught this play, and I think I finally had better luck at problematizing the racism and misogyny through discussions of Shakespeare’s complicity with it.
I knew the basic story of Othello, Desdemona and Iago, but it was really something actually reading the play. I definitely enjoyed this play more than Measure for Measure in terms of interest level, plot, and the multi-dimensionality of the characters.
The Signet version contains helpful footnotes to some of the phrases which are unfamiliar in this day and age. I much prefer footnotes to endnotes.
The introduction materials were also useful in putting the play in context. There were a number of analytical essays that followed the play, but I didn't read all of those.
The Signet version contains helpful footnotes to some of the phrases which are unfamiliar in this day and age. I much prefer footnotes to endnotes.
The introduction materials were also useful in putting the play in context. There were a number of analytical essays that followed the play, but I didn't read all of those.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes