My Ideas Of Words

William Shakespeare is known as the greatest playwright of all time, and to be honest, it comes as no surprise. He has written classics such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, and more. All these classics he has made a mark in literature, but here is one play that sometimes gets overlooked, and in my opinion, is just as impactful, if not more impactful, than those plays, and that’s Othello. Othello, written in 1603, is a play about Jealousy, Betrayal and Love, with the main character Othello being manipulated and tricked into thinking his wife Desdemona is having an affair. It’s a tragedy that depicts the dangers of love and the toxic nature of jealousy.

Here, I want to present reasons as to why you should read this play and overall what makes it so appealing.

Multiple themes

There are multiple themes in this play that make it stand out. Themes such as jealousy, love, power, race, and betrayal. All these themes come together to display the magic of Othello and make the story more complex and interesting. Out of all the themes that stand out the most, jealousy will definitely be the most prominent, as this was Shakespeare’s message throughout the play, and this theme stems from certain characters in the play.

Complex Characters

Characters have always been Shakespeare’s specialty, and this play definitely has a great cast of characters that make the play the classic it is. The characters in the play are unique and complex, and have a way of pushing the story forward. The constant paranoia of Othello, the manipulative nature of Iago, and the innocence of Desdemona. Shakespeare’s characterization in the play displays the characters’ strengths and flaws, making them relatable to the audience.

Beautiful Writing

Considering Shakespeare is arguably the greatest writer of all time, this should be of no surprise. The wordplay, excellent monologues, quotes, and more make this one of the most well-written plays of all time. Shakespeare can write the most lyrical sentences and, at the same time, drop memorable lines that will last for decades to come. Here is one line in the play that is memorable and displays the critical theme in the play, the theme of jealousy.

“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on“

Timeless Lessons

Othello offers a lot of timeless lessons in the play, such as the danger of jealousy and the power it holds over people. Or the lessons about race with Othello being an outsider in society. The power of love and how it can cause beauty and destruction if not handled well. Different types of lessons Shakespeare uses with his skill of analysing human nature, which we can all learn from.

Overall

Othello is one of the greatest tragedy plays of all time and my personal favourite as well. Othello showcases human nature masterfully through a stellar cast of highly memorable characters. Whether you read it or watch it, each experience should fill you with pleasure, and I hope it encourages you to dive into more of Shakespeare’s work in the future.