Othello

A respected general in a foreign city marries the daughter of a senator, and within days his closest advisor begins to destroy him. Othello is Shakespeare's most concentrated tragedy: a small cast, a short span of time, and a plot that turns on whispers, a lost handkerchief and a trust misplaced. It is a play about love and jealousy, about race and belonging, and about how easily a good mind can be led to believe a lie.

This edition is designed for readers coming to the play for the first time, as well as for book clubs and students who want a clear path through the language. It includes the complete text of Othello, a new introduction that sets the play in its time and explains what to notice while reading, a guide to the principal characters, a summary of the story from beginning to end, notes on the main themes, a glossary of words and phrases that may be unfamiliar, and questions for discussion. Whether you read it straight through or act by act, this companion will help you follow the action and enter the world of the play.