Othello

This tragedy, printed in 1622 and likely first staged around 1604, follows Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice, who secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Posted to Cyprus after a Turkish scare, he takes as his officer the bitter Iago, who has been passed over for promotion in favour of Cassio. Iago works on Othello's trust with insinuation, a handkerchief, and staged conversations, turning marital jealousy into military and household crisis. The play is a drama of race, rank, and belief, concerned with how a public hero can be made to doubt the private life he has just begun.

Bound in purple cloth blocked with a gilt and black quill design on cover and spine title. Mottled grey slipcase.