قصة الكتاب :
Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to be written in 1603. It is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely-studied tragedies which include Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear and Romeo and Juliet. The plot is based on the story Un Capitano Moro by Cinthio published in 1565. The story revolves around Othello, the Moorish general who has achieved great feats on behalf of the State of Venice. The entire action in the plot hinges on jealousy. Although the central themes in Othello are jealousy and (implied) racial hatred, the beauty of the story is in how Shakespeare manages to intertwine so many different elements and themes together to tell a single story. The story is also about love, betrayal, revenge and repentance. As with all Shakespearean plays, human emotions are explored and portrayed in raw detail and with finesse.

\r\nIn Othello Shakespeare creates a powerful story that begins with fascination and intense devotion between Othello and Desdemona but ends abruptly in jealous rage and violent deaths. The two central characters in the story are Othello and his flag-bearer Iago. The intensity of unbridled emotions drives the plot. Clear thinking descends on the characters only after their actions have been understood in light of the truth. This leads to remorse and even more tragic actions. The story is set in the island of Cyprus giving it a desired exotic touch, further fueled by stories of Othello’s African past. The differences that Shakespeare manages to weave into the hero and heroine are so many that it should, under ordinary circumstances, not lead to shock when the marriage ends disastrously. There are differences of race, age and cultural background between the two, yet anyone who reads the story is so convinced of the power of love and devotion between Othello and Desdemona that they do not doubt its ability in transcending all differences. At the beginning of the story, Othello passes Iago over for a promotion in favour of Cassio. This drives the fury, jealousy and desire for revenge in Iago’s heart. Iago plays his evil role in turning Othello against Desdemona by insinuating that she is being unfaithful to him. He does so using subtle hints and planting false ‘evidences’ that the trusting Othello falls for. What results is the transformation of a beautiful love story into a tale of horror, where a trusting Desdemona who has completely given herself up entirely to Othello’s love finds herself at the receiving end of his verbal and physical abuse, as he falls prey to Iago’s vicious scheme.

\r\nOthello is a story that has moved and intrigued people since its initial days. It continues to be played in theatres and has been the source of several literary, operatic and film adaptations.\r\n