Shakespeare is widely acknowledged as the greatest English dramatist and poet. Among the 37 plays that he wrote are included tragedies, comedies and histories. His plays have been translated into 90 languages and have inspired poets, novelists, painters, composers, choreographers, film-makers and other artists at all levels of creative activity. His plays have formed the basis for the English theatrical tradition, and they continue to find realization in readers’ imagination and, in richly varied transmutations, on the world’s stages.
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1602 and 1604, based on Cinthio’s short story “Moor of Venice”. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago. Attesting to its enduring popularity is the fact that the play appeared in 7 editions between 1622 and 1705. Because of its varied themes—racism, love, jealousy and betrayal—it remains relevant to the present day and is often performed in professional and community theatres alike. The play has also been the basis of numerous films and literary adoptions.
The present work aims at making Othello more comprehensible to the diligent student. Besides giving the social, literary and biographical background in which Shakespeare created this masterpiece, the book gives a scene-wise critical summary of the play along with relevant citations from the text. The analyses of the different elements of drama are accompanied with the views of renowned critics. Along with recent critical views the classical theories as well as Elizabethan conventions have been given in a lucid manner. A brief analysis according to Sanskrit dramaturgy has also been given, which is another significant feature of this book.
Ratri Ray is a retired University Professor and Head of the Deptt. of English, Patna University. As a student she had a unique career for she had been awarded three gold medals for her B.A. results and two more for M.A. She obtained the D. Litt. degree on a comparative study of Francis Thompson and Nishikanto. She has published two books in Bengali on Sri Aurobindo’s poetry and drama, both serialized in the cultural monthly Shrimantu published from Kolkata. Her studies of Shakespearean plays according to Rasavåda had been serialized in the 80’s in Mother India published from Pondicherry. Her English books published by Atlantic Publishers and Distributors (P) Ltd. include The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear and As You Like It.
