When did William Shakespeare write the play Othello?
William Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice around 1603. This date aligns with historical events such as a Moorish ambassador visiting London in 1600.
Questions about Othello
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the source material for the plot of Othello by William Shakespeare?
The core plot draws from a novella by Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio titled Gli Hecatommithi. Shakespeare adapted this narrative significantly to include elements like the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which were absent in the original text.
How many lines differ between the Quarto and Folio editions of Othello published after Shakespeare's death?
The Folio includes approximately 160 lines that are absent from the Quarto edition. Over one thousand variations exist between these two texts regarding wording, lineation, spelling, and punctuation.
Who directed the 1951 film adaptation of Othello released by Orson Welles?
Orson Welles directed an adaptation of Othello that was released in 1951. He collected cast and crew for filming but stopped after four or five weeks when money ran out before completing the project.
Which play does Thomas Rymer argue should be called Tragedy of Handkerchief instead of Othello?
Thomas Rymer wrote in 1693 that the play should better be called Tragedy of Handkerchief because no booby could make consequence from such remote trifle. This argument challenges the traditional classification of William Shakespeare's work as a major tragedy.