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Othello by William Shakespeare (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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Unlock the more straightforward side of Othello with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare, which recounts the tragic downfall of the Venetian general Othello, who is notable for being one of the few black protagonists in early English-language fiction. Having married the beautiful young Desdemona just before the start of the play, Othello’s marital bliss is soon shattered by the lies of his scheming ensign Iago, who is resentful that Othello has recently thwarted his ambition of being promoted. Iago therefore works to convince Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him, and stokes his misplaced rage and jealousy to such an extent that Othello eventually strangles his wife with his bare hands. Othello is one of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies, and has been performed frequently since it was first published in the early 17th century.
Find out everything you need to know about Othello in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare, which recounts the tragic downfall of the Venetian general Othello, who is notable for being one of the few black protagonists in early English-language fiction. Having married the beautiful young Desdemona just before the start of the play, Othello’s marital bliss is soon shattered by the lies of his scheming ensign Iago, who is resentful that Othello has recently thwarted his ambition of being promoted. Iago therefore works to convince Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him, and stokes his misplaced rage and jealousy to such an extent that Othello eventually strangles his wife with his bare hands. Othello is one of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies, and has been performed frequently since it was first published in the early 17th century.
Find out everything you need to know about Othello in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
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Othello by William Shakespeare (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries
ENGLISH PLAYWRIGHT AND POET
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.
Died in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616.
Notable works:
Venus and Adonis (1593), poem
Hamlet (1603), play
Macbeth (1623), play
William Shakespeare is regarded as the most influential writer in English history. His 37 plays have been performed countless times, and have been reproduced and adapted across a broad range of periods and cultural contexts. As well as the plays, which can be loosely divided into tragedies, histories and comedies, Shakespeare wrote a number of narrative poems and sonnets. He also had an indelible influence on the English language itself, bringing a huge variety of words and phrases – as varied as swagger
, bubble
, mind’s eye
and heart of gold
– into regular usage.
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children with her. Their only son, Hamnet, died at the age of eleven. Very little else is known about Shakespeare’s life, which he spent between Stratford-upon-Avon and London. It is clear, however, that his literary talents were matched by a shrewd entrepreneurial
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