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. About Author: Ratri Ray is a retired University Professor and Head of the Deptt. of English, Patna University. As a
Ratri Ray is a retired university Professor and Head of the Deptt. of English, Patna University. She obtained her Ph.D. and D. Litt. degrees in 1981 and 2002 respectively. Her studies of six Shakespearean plays, according to the Rasavāda, had been serialized in the cultural periodical Mother India during the 80s and the 90s. A series of articles on the element of myth in Sri Aurobindo’s poetry, serialized during the late 90s in Srnvantu, has been recently published in book form. At present two of her serialised studies are being published from Kolkata: Sri Aurobindo’s Poetry and the Pastoral Tradition in Rtam and Re-reading Perseus the Deliverer in Rbhu. Besides these, her recently published books, William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear (The Atlantic Critical Studies) have received overwhelming response from the readers.
