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grumpyfarmer's review
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
xelanarda's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scarlettletters's review
3.0
I read this as like a precursor/reading alongside Othello because I really don't understand Shakespeare and I thought this might give me some idea of the plot so I could follow the actual play better. I think it serves its purpose in that regard, and it does use Shakespeare's original language, it's just highly abridged. So I wouldn't recommend it as a standalone.
sookieskipper's review
5.0
A tragedy inevitable when the good and bad archetypes come to the fore. Othello and Iago provide the two extremes of the play; one a honorable noble while the other, incredibly not. Iago's machination to bring down Othello is borderline cartoon-ish. He exists for the very purpose of destroying Othello. There is duplicity in every step he takes, an inherent nature to twist, pillage and taint everything in his wake. His implications, his words eventually destroys Othello and everything he has loved.
Othello draws you in with its words, drama and complex nature of humanity. The heroic Othello loses his sense of just and duty when he believes when his wife, Desdemona, is in an illicit relationship with Cassie. Othello changes in a way he has been always accused of in his life; the other part of him. He gets played into the stereotype of race and religion ending in tragedy.
Reading Shakespeare as a fully grown adult is a different experience. It isn't just the age or years of reading that influences reading Shakespeare but the empathy and tolerance that one gains with age. A logical and rational part of me finds Othello a "dumbass" for not thinking straight. But the older part of me gets the irrationality.
Shakespeare doesn't give balance. He makes the two extremities collide and show the ugly parts of them to the readers as if saying "This is what you are all made of."
Othello draws you in with its words, drama and complex nature of humanity. The heroic Othello loses his sense of just and duty when he believes when his wife, Desdemona, is in an illicit relationship with Cassie. Othello changes in a way he has been always accused of in his life; the other part of him. He gets played into the stereotype of race and religion ending in tragedy.
Reading Shakespeare as a fully grown adult is a different experience. It isn't just the age or years of reading that influences reading Shakespeare but the empathy and tolerance that one gains with age. A logical and rational part of me finds Othello a "dumbass" for not thinking straight. But the older part of me gets the irrationality.
Shakespeare doesn't give balance. He makes the two extremities collide and show the ugly parts of them to the readers as if saying "This is what you are all made of."
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