I've always been really into acting. I have participated in drama club, 'community' theater and such. However, I was never really that into Shakespeare. Sure, we read his stuff in school and I could follow along. The language was never challenging. I just never really saw his work as more important than the works of Jonathan Larson or Stephen Adly Guirgis. Reading Othello has really changed my point of view.
The language in this tragedy is descriptive and beautiful! So much is said in a few simple phrases. For example:
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust
By partly led to diet my revenge
-of Othello by Iago
Othello, Act II scene i
First Iago compliments Othello and professes faith in him. He then goes on to say that even though he has faith in Othello he does not respect him. He suspects that Othello has slept with his wife and as revenge plans to impose on his marriage. Iago claims to love Desdemona but only like someone loves a good piece of pizza. He loves her because she satisfies his revenge.
Looking back on the quote, my summary is a lot longer. Although Shakespeare's works are long, he says so much with so few words. Imagine how much interpretation can come from just a few phrases of his plays. A light bulb has gone on, and I understand why one would want to sit around and drown in the words of William Shakespeare. This assigned work has suddenly become a page turner! Ah! So amazing!
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Oh, great! I'm so glad that you've turned a new leaf with Shakespeare. I think it's important, though, to maintain your own healthy level of skepticism about writers like Shakespeare because we already know of his "greatness" before we ever read a word. Making that greatness your own, something that connects for you--understanding the way he brings characters to life and expresses ideas, as you say, so tersely. I like the lines you quoted, especially the part about Desdemona as a "diet" to his revenge. Why do you think Iago uses this image?
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