FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY
The World’s Leading Center for Shakespeare Studies
The Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, brings Othello to life with this new full-length, full-cast dramatic recording of its definitive Folger Edition.
In Othello, Shakespeare creates powerful drama from a marriage between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona. Shakespeare builds many differences into his hero and heroine, including race, age, and cultural background. Yet most audiences believe the couple’s strong love would overcome these differences were it not for Iago, who sets out to destroy Othello.
This new full-cast recording—based on the most respected edition of Shakespeare’s classic—expertly produced by the Folger Theatre, is perfect for students, teachers, and the everyday listener.
Download and start listening now!
"Easily my favorite Shakespeare. I think Iago might be the best villain of all time ever.Also, this gets extra props for spawning the opera, which, though deviates from the plot significantly, is still quite good in its own right. "
— Sara (5 out of 5 stars)
" i read the old and new othello book and saw both verse of the movie and the new one too "
— SISTAHREADINGSISTAH(SINGLE, 2/14/2014" One of my Shakespeare favorites ..... Love it despite the drama !!LMBO "
— Stephen, 2/14/2014" Really good story but alas, my Elizabethan is rusty. It was a quick read but I knew I missed some things and had to do a little research to fully understand what had happened in the play. "
— Kirsteen, 2/10/2014" I didn't enjoy this as much as some of Shakespeare's other plays. Iago is a great villain. "
— Celeste, 2/5/2014" I didn't actually read it until the second half. I didn't get the concept even though I read the modern day version. the second half was interesting. "
— Tracy, 1/27/2014" I didnt like Othello that much as I have liked other plays by Shakespeare. I did like the last act, especially the last scene. thas where all the action happens. read it if you want, but I dont recommend it if it is the first Shakespeare play you read. good luck "
— Sebas, 1/27/2014" I will never stop loving Iago. "
— Erich, 1/10/2014" This is definately a good read, but I would suggest that you do it with a group for analytical purposes. The plot is alright, but the language and the themes, as well as the deep characters are worth many, many discussions. Don't read alone! "
— Madison, 1/6/2014" Just because I gave this 3 stars doesn't mean I didn't like it... It was just such a depressing tale. Again the basis of many stories to follow throughout the ages but still the original in this genre! "
— Eyehavenofilter, 12/20/2013" Best of all the Shakespeare plays. "
— Maya, 12/14/2013" Loved it. This was the play that made me appreciate Shakespeare. There are so many levels to reading this, and there are so many messages you can take away from it. The language is heartbreaking. "
— Vrinda, 11/4/2013" Selected for a Shakespeare reading group. Some of the participants were surprised and the racism and sexism...really? Much discussion ensued. "
— Katie, 6/19/2013" Iago is such a perfect villain! "
— potterican, 6/8/2013" I had read this in 10th grade (or at least I was supposed to have read it), but I couldn't remember much about it. I was able to breeze through it fairly quickly and, while I enjoyed a lot of the dialogue, the story itself is rather depressing. "
— Micahb, 4/25/2013" I didn't read this of my own accord, which is probably why i'm giving it such a low rating. Yes, I can understand Shakespeare as a literary genius and so on, but I hated studying this, as do most English A Level students by the sounds of things. "
— Charlie, 3/15/2013" One of my absolute favorites! I loved Iago, even though he's a sneaky, low, no good character. So masterfully woven together! "
— Jennifer, 2/9/2013" A great play about being and outsider, love, and treachery. "
— Dharma, 12/11/2012" The best shakespeare play ever. Fact. "
— cassie, 7/21/2012" This was apart of my studies in English class at school. My final exams were on it also, I thought it was boring! "
— Lisa, 5/6/2012" Iago is an interesting character to explore. "
— Linda, 2/12/2012" my favorite shakespeare book! good, interesting plot & a villain I love to hate while reading this book! I have read this one multiple times "
— Jackie, 10/12/2011" My first time reading this play. I loved discussing the inconsistencies and binaries present with my ENGL 251 class. Now I'm hankering to see the play live on stage. In the meantime, anyone have a favorite movie version? "
— Bri, 5/25/2011" Playing the parts of Brabantio and Gratiano this summer in a local production. "
— Peter, 5/23/2011" Hands down my favorite of Shakespeare's tragedies! "
— Melissa, 5/17/2011" Hands down my favorite of Shakespeare's tragedies! "
— Melissa, 5/17/2011" I read this in high school. I need to read it again. It's been a while. "
— F., 5/15/2011" I read this in high school. I need to read it again. It's been a while. "
— F., 5/15/2011" I enjoyed Iago's manipulations though I still felt he was the bad guy. "
— dameolga, 5/3/2011" I enjoyed Iago's manipulations though I still felt he was the bad guy. "
— dameolga, 5/3/2011" Very dramatic. Iago, a very interesting character. Very tragic. Good stuff. "
— Tom, 5/2/2011" Very dramatic. Iago, a very interesting character. Very tragic. Good stuff. "
— Tom, 5/2/2011" I absolutely love this play! I got into Shakespeare when I started at my second college and this is by far one of his best plays! "
— Nicole, 4/28/2011" I absolutely love this play! I got into Shakespeare when I started at my second college and this is by far one of his best plays! "
— Nicole, 4/28/2011" Reading the play left me morbidly impressed with Iago, bored with Othello, and weepy over the fruitless loss of all of the good people. I henceforth swear to be a less jealous person. "
— Ruth, 4/27/2011" Reading the play left me morbidly impressed with Iago, bored with Othello, and weepy over the fruitless loss of all of the good people. I henceforth swear to be a less jealous person. "
— Ruth, 4/27/2011" Iago is the greatest villain in English literature. "
— Safraz, 4/25/2011" Iago is the greatest villain in English literature. "
— Safraz, 4/25/2011" Easily my favorite Shakespeare. I think Iago might be the best villain of all time ever.<br/><br/>Also, this gets extra props for spawning the opera, which, though deviates from the plot significantly, is still quite good in its own right.<br/> "
— Sara, 4/24/2011" Currently re-reading. I've forgotten how good Shakespeare can be... "
— Judith, 4/23/2011" Currently re-reading. I've forgotten how good Shakespeare can be... "
— Judith, 4/23/2011" Another twisted Shakespeare play to rattle your brain, it was really entertaining, and tragic, humorous in intervals, and a good read. I still feel Much Ado About Nothing is still my favorite, but I did like it. "
— Kelly, 4/21/2011William Shakespeare (1564–1616), English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean period, is the most widely known author in all of English literature and often considered the greatest. He was an active member of a theater company for at least twenty years, during which time he wrote many great plays. Plays were not prized as literature at the time and Shakespeare was not widely read until the middle of the eighteenth century, when a great upsurge of interest in his works began that continues today.