Othello by William Shakespeare

[Tammy]

I was reading/listening to this for another group. I'm reminded that I don't enjoy reading plays!

[Cait]

I had to read this for a literature course a couple of years ago and I struggled a bit.

I think it depends on the edition that you're reading as well. Some have useful notes in helpful places and others... don't.

[Katie]

Somehow between high school and college, I had to read this three times. I was a little "Othelloed" out. Not one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, mainly because the title character is extremely frustrating. Does not listen for anything, and ruled by his emotions.

[Emily]

Aww. Sorry to hear everyone is disliking it so much. "Othello" is my favorite Shakespeare play. It's basically "Much Ado About Nothing", but with an unhappy ending. (No one said Shakespeare didn't re-use his own ideas...)

I think Iago is a great villain. He'a a bastard, and Othello is a jealous idiot, but it works. :)

[Katie]

It has been quite some time that I have read it. I might have a different opinion now. I do agree though that Iago was a good character. He was sinister. My favorite Shakespeare I think is The Merchant of Venice. This could be because of the teacher that I had. Sometimes the teacher made the literature fun, whereas without him/her it would be a different experience.
I remember having a substitute teacher my freshman year. He was there for several weeks while our teacher was recovering from surgery. We read The Old Man and the Sea with him. He made the book fun to read with great discussion and critique. Not sure it would have been the same with our accustomed teacher.