Otelo

The text was published in the collection of his works called "First Folio" in 1623. It seems that the basic version was adapted by Shakespeare himself, sticking to the original work almost line by line. However, he introduced numerous substitutions of words and phrases as if Shakespeare was rewriting it for himself and rewriting it during the rewriting. The plot of the play originates from the work called "De gli Hecatommithi" from 1565 by Giambattista Giraldi. Shakespeare seems to have known it in the Italian original, and it was also available to him in French, but it was not translated into English. [1] The play tells the story of the powerful general of the Venetian army, Othello, whose life and marriage are destroyed by the indulgent, deceitful and envious soldier Iago.

Othello is perhaps the most famous literary exploration of the destructive power of jealousy and suspicion. At the same time, it is one of the earliest literary works dealing with issues of race and racism. Othello is undeniably a hero despite his flaws, the most prominent dark-skinned protagonist from the time of early Western literature. Othello faces constant racism from other characters in this play, especially after he marries Desdemona, a privileged white woman whose father disapproves of this marriage.