A review by hangsangareader
Othello: The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare

dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

First Shakesperean play I've read, and my mind is blown. Now I know why Shakespeare is so revered. His writing is challenging but beautiful. His ability to argue a point and its contrast throw us for a loop, but the complexity of the play and the themes within it serve to make the reading experience superior.

My favorite character has to be Iago. My feelings towards him changed while reading: at first, I was amazed by his Machiavellian ways, and then, slowly, I was more and more horrified by the way he conducted his revenge. The punishment does not meet the crime, but this makes Iago such an interesting character - he is genuinely evil.
As for Othello, poor fool, I pity him. But I cannot excuse his inability to afford Desdemona the same opportunity the Duke gives him in the first act. Othello is an excellent example of what can happen when we let our feeling (jealousy) take the better of us and refuse to act more rationally.

This play made me want to read all of them. I guess Shakespeare is that amazing. I feel this is the beginning of new love in my life.