Othello

Being a tragedy, Othello doesn't end in hearts and flowers and rainbows and unicorns. It ends in death and destruction and a one-way trip to Guiltville.

So why would you waste your time reading a play that you know will be sad? Well, why do you watch Titanic, Gladiator, or Les Miserables? Because it's about the journey, not the destination.

Plus, Othello offers us so much more than just a sad ending. It's about love, jealousy, betrayal, and trust. Sound familiar to you, too? These themes are still issues seen in our society. In the newspapers, on TV, and even in our own lives.

Let us tell you, Shakespeare is the master at creating high stakes when it comes to these themes. Othello won't just lose his wife or his friend. No, he'll lose everything if he trusts the wrong people. That means that every choice is a gamble, every friend a potential foe, and every plot point a nail-biter.

With suspense like that, how can you not read this play?

In this course, you'll

• identify and discuss the play's portrayal of jealousy and love. 
• analyze the use of honesty and deceit in the play. 
• examine the reasons given for Iago's hatred of Othello. 
• close read passages of the play to identify the historical and cultural context of the time when it was written. 
• use textual evidence from Othello to support original arguments about the play's themes and characters. 

By the time you're done, you'll know Othello better than the soundtrack to Les Mis.

Unit Breakdown