Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)
Product ID: 314223237
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William Shakespeare’s classic play Othello , featuring valuable tools for educators and readers, from the esteemed Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works. In Othello , Shakespeare creates powerful drama from a marriage between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona that begins with elopement and mutual devotion and ends with jealous rage and death. Shakespeare builds many differences into his hero and heroine, including race, age, and cultural background. Yet most readers and audiences believe the couple’s strong love would overcome these differences were it not for Iago, who sets out to destroy Othello. Iago’s false insinuations about Desdemona’s infidelity draw Othello into his schemes, and Desdemona is subjected to Othello’s horrifying verbal and physical assaults. This edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading -Essay by Susan Snyder The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu. Review: Making Shakespeare easy to understand - The Folger Shakespeare Library version of Shakespeare's plays is the best. There's so much information provided about each play. The best feature is the list of definitions on each facing page (gotta love those fancy Shakespeare words). The price point is perfect, perhaps slightly more than the mass media version -- which has the tiniest font -- and totally worth every penny. Review: Great book! - The Folger Shakespeare Library edition provides an excellent introduction to the play, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced readers of Shakespeare. The introduction and annotations are informative and enhance the understanding of the text, especially for those not familiar with the language of the Elizabethan era. The character of Othello is masterfully portrayed, and his descent into jealousy and madness is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. Iago's cunning manipulation is brilliantly depicted, leaving you questioning the depths to which human jealousy can drive a person. The themes explored in "Othello" are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time, making this play a timeless exploration of human nature and the destructive power of jealousy and mistrust. Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or just looking for a compelling read, "Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)" is a must-have addition to your library. It's a powerful work of literature that will leave a lasting impression and provide plenty of material for reflection and discussion. In conclusion, I highly recommend this edition of "Othello" to anyone who appreciates classic literature, intricate character development, and profound themes. It's a brilliant and enduring masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers of all generations.
| Best Sellers Rank | #11,740 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #7 in British & Irish Dramas & Plays #12 in Shakespeare Dramas & Plays #450 in Classic Literature & Fiction |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 101 Reviews |
G**J
Making Shakespeare easy to understand
The Folger Shakespeare Library version of Shakespeare's plays is the best. There's so much information provided about each play. The best feature is the list of definitions on each facing page (gotta love those fancy Shakespeare words). The price point is perfect, perhaps slightly more than the mass media version -- which has the tiniest font -- and totally worth every penny.
A**N
Great book!
The Folger Shakespeare Library edition provides an excellent introduction to the play, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced readers of Shakespeare. The introduction and annotations are informative and enhance the understanding of the text, especially for those not familiar with the language of the Elizabethan era. The character of Othello is masterfully portrayed, and his descent into jealousy and madness is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. Iago's cunning manipulation is brilliantly depicted, leaving you questioning the depths to which human jealousy can drive a person. The themes explored in "Othello" are as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time, making this play a timeless exploration of human nature and the destructive power of jealousy and mistrust. Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or just looking for a compelling read, "Othello (Folger Shakespeare Library)" is a must-have addition to your library. It's a powerful work of literature that will leave a lasting impression and provide plenty of material for reflection and discussion. In conclusion, I highly recommend this edition of "Othello" to anyone who appreciates classic literature, intricate character development, and profound themes. It's a brilliant and enduring masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers of all generations.
J**P
Methinks This Bard Doth Rip Off Julia Stiles Too Much
First of all, I would like to know who I need to speak with in customer service about getting a partial refund, because this book was only partially in English. I paid full price for a paperback, which presumably includes the expectation that the author will use words from this century. Instead, I was trapped in a linguistic hostage situation trying to decode what "forsooth" and "zounds" mean. If I wanted to use Rosetta Stone on my weekend, I wouldn't have bought a novel. To make matters worse, about halfway through this exhausting exercise in deciphering old-timey riddles, I realized the plot was a complete scam. This Shakespeare guy is being praised as a literary genius, but he literally stole the entire storyline from that 2001 teen movie O with Julia Stiles and Mekhi Phifer. A jealous guy? A manipulative friend named "Iago" instead of Hugo? A missing piece of fabric causing a massive, catastrophic misunderstanding? It’s a direct ripoff. I didn't pay for Prime two-day shipping to read a bootleg, 16th-century novelization of a modern high school drama. And don't even get me started on the handkerchief. You are telling me a highly decorated military general completely ruins his life, his career, and his marriage over a dropped piece of embroidered Kleenex? In modern thrillers, the stakes are at least believable, but these characters went full true-crime over a sneeze rag. Honestly, the most ridiculous part of this entire experience was getting an automated email from Amazon asking me to rate and review William Shakespeare. What exactly am I supposed to say? "Good ink. The pages turn nicely. Book has nice texture"? It's a 400-year-old play; I really don't think my star rating is going to make or break his career at this point.
S**E
Helped in lit class.
Great read.
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