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Laurence Olivier as Othello and Maggie Smith as Desdemona in a 1964 National Theatre production of the tragedy.

1. Othello: Introduction
2. Othello: Summary
3. Othello: William Shakespeare Biography
4. Othello: Reading Shakespeare
5. Othello: List of Characters
6. Othello: Historical Background
7. Othello: Summary and Analysis
   1. Act I, Scenes 1-3 Summary and Analysis
   2. Act II, Scenes 1-3 Summary and Analysis
   3. Act III, Scenes 1-4 Summary and Analysis
   4. Act IV, Scenes 1-3 Summary and Analysis
   5. Act V, Scenes 1-2 Summary and Analysis
8. Othello: Critical Commentary
   1. Preface to the Critical Commentary
   2. Act I Commentary
   3. Act II Commentary
   4. Act III Commentary
   5. Act IV Commentary
   6. Act V Commentary
9. Othello: Quizzes
   1. Act I, Scenes 1-3 Questions and Answers
   2. Act II, Scenes 1-3 Questions and Answers
   3. Act III, Scenes 1-4 Questions and Answers
   4. Act IV, Scenes 1-3 Questions and Answers
   5. Act V, Scenes 1-2 Questions and Answers
10. Othello: Essential Passages
    1. Essential Passage by Theme: Reputation
    2. Essential Passage by Character: Iago
    3. Essential Passage by Character: Othello
11. Othello: Themes
12. Othello: Character Analysis
    1. Brabantio (Character Analysis)
    2. Cassio (Character Analysis)
    3. Desdemona (Character Analysis)
    4. Emilia (Character Analysis)
    5. Iago (Character Analysis)
    6. Othello (Character Analysis)
    7. Roderigo (Character Analysis)
    8. Other Characters (Descriptions)
13. Othello: Principal Topics
14. Othello: Essays
    1. The Role of Race in Othello
    2. The Villainy of Iago
    3. Deception in Othello
    4. The Relationship Between Othello and Iago
    5. Why does Desdemona Marry Othello?
    6. Why Does Othello Change His Mind About Desdemona's Fidelity?
    7. The Women of Othello
    8. Geography's Role in Othello
    9. Opposites Attract: Othello and Desdemona
    10. The Use of Humor in Othello
    11. Motivations for Characters' Actions in Othello
    12. An Analysis of Four Shakespearean Villains
15. Othello: Criticism
    1. Overview
    2. Jealousy
    3. Race
    4. Time
    5. Othello
    6. Iago
    7. Desdemona
16. Othello: Selected Quotes
17. Othello: Suggested Essay Topics
18. Othello: Sample Essay Outlines
19. Othello: Modern Connections
20. Othello: Media Adaptations
21. Othello: FAQs
    1. Why does Shakespeare choose Venice for the opening scenes of Othello?
    2. Why does Iago choose Michael Cassio as an instrument of revenge against Othello?
    3. Why does Shakespeare move the setting of the play to Cyprus?
    4. Does Iago have a love life of his own?
    5. What is Roderigo's function in the play?
    6. What is Lodovico's function in the play?
22. Othello: Bibliography and Further Reading
23. Othello: Pictures
24. Copyright

1. William Shakespeare
2. British Literature
3. Elizabethan Drama
4. How to Read a Shakespeare Play