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Othello

William Shakespeare

Start date: June 1, 2017

Finish date: June 30, 2017

Why we're reading this: June 2017 Old School Classic Group Read
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Oct 11, 2012 Nikki rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, kindle, audio-books, 2012-reads, william-shakespeare

I am actually shocked by this play! Shakespeare is of course no stranger to tragic tales but this is so twisted and cruel that I found myself equally fascinated and outraged.
Simply put, Iago is the most wretched and loathsome character I have ever come across and makes all other villains pale in comparison. As with all the best and most cunning of villains he seems to convey utter charm, through looks and character and I lost count of the times he is described as “Honest Iago”. The fact that he I am actually shocked by this play! Shakespeare is of course no stranger to tragic tales but this is so twisted and cruel that I found myself equally fascinated and outraged.
Simply put, Iago is the most wretched and loathsome character I have ever come across and makes all other villains pale in comparison. As with all the best and most cunning of villains he seems to convey utter charm, through looks and character and I lost count of the times he is described as “Honest Iago”. The fact that he plays everyone like puppets is quite remarkable. He is an impressive character and my favourite moments are his monologues where he describes exactly how to make each part of his plan work, before he sweetly entices his prey to do his bidding and the amazing thing about this play is that Iago is a character that we can see so easily even in today’s society and the fact that Shakespeare wrote about humankinds baser qualities back then proves that some things never change!
I’m utterly torn with Othello. I really like him as a character, he’s intelligent, honourable and is revered by all he meets and I feel such sorrow that his destiny is consumed by jealousy and rage.
Sweet, gentle Desdemona; has there ever been a more kind and honest woman in all of literature? My heart bleeds for her as she meets her fate. She is so heinously betrayed and even then refuses to place blame!
Cassio, oh Cassio, my favourite character besides Desdemona, he too is betrayed and wronged by those he loves and is blind to all the malice that surrounds him; all I can say is thank Shakespeare for letting him survive or I don’t think I could’ve handled it!
I read the play first and then listened to the audio version filmed at the Donmar Warehouse played out by a host of amazing actors. Ewan McGregor is breathtaking as Iago and hearing his words flow so beautifully after having read them really brought the play life! The lovely Kelly Reilly gives a beautiful performance as Desdemona and is heartbreaking as she faces Chiwetel Ejiofor's Othello whose emotions go from pure love and gentle composure to animosity and passionate rage.
Tom Hiddleston also brings such honest and likable qualities to Cassio and infuses him with emotion.
I urge anyone who has the chance to listen to this production which is truly powerful and really does justice to this tragic play. It’s really too bad that it wasn’t filmed for posterity!
The next thing I want to see is Kenneth Branagh’s movie version, but for now, I will be re-reading and listening to this play often to try to understand why we hurt those we love the most…
Heartbreakingly brilliant!! ...more

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