Let's clear something up first: Gustave Dubarry isn't the co-author. This is William Shakespeare's work, through and through. Dubarry might be listed on some editions as an illustrator or editor, but the words, the soul, the sheer dramatic power—that's all the Bard. 'Othello' is one of his great tragedies, written around 1603.

The Story

Othello is a celebrated Moorish general in the Venetian army. He's just married Desdemona, a Venetian noblewoman who truly loves him. His trusted ensign, Iago, feels slighted because Othello promoted a younger man, Cassio, over him. Fueled by this resentment, Iago sets a terrible plan in motion. He decides to destroy Othello by making him believe Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.

What follows is a slow-burn nightmare. Iago is a puppeteer. He plants a stolen handkerchief, a gift from Othello to Desdemona, in Cassio's room. He twists innocent conversations into proof of guilt. He presents himself as Othello's only honest friend, all while pouring poison in his ear. We watch, helpless, as Othello—a man of action and honor—is consumed by a jealousy he can't control, transforming from a confident leader into a man tortured by doubt. The tragic end is both shocking and feels inevitable, a direct result of Iago's masterful, evil game.

Why You Should Read It

This play gets under your skin because of Iago. He's one of literature's greatest villains, not because he's a monster with superpowers, but because he's so chillingly human in his pettiness. His 'motiveless malignity' (as some critics call it) is terrifying. He ruins lives because he can, and because he feels entitled to more. Watching his plan unfold is like seeing a car crash in slow motion—you're fascinated and horrified at the same time.

But it's also about Othello's tragic flaw. His insecurity as an outsider in Venetian society makes him vulnerable. Iago doesn't create the jealousy from nothing; he finds a crack and widens it into a chasm. The play asks tough questions: How well can we really know anyone? How fragile is our trust? How easily can a skilled liar rewrite our reality?

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a tight, psychological thriller. If you enjoy stories where the real conflict is in the characters' minds rather than on a battlefield, you'll be hooked. It's also perfect for readers interested in timeless themes of race, otherness, and the corrosive nature of envy. Fair warning: it's a heavy, emotional ride. But it's one of Shakespeare's most accessible tragedies—the plot is straightforward, the emotions are raw, and the villain is someone you'll love to hate. Just be prepared to have your heart broken a little.