Skip to Main Content

MHS Library | Othello

November 1st, 1604: William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" was first performed, at Whitehall Palace in London.

November 1st, 1604: William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" was first performed, at Whitehall Palace in London. 
Here's a lithography representing "Othello defending himself against the accusations of Brabantio":

Othello - background notes

Articles on the web

Misunderstanding in Othello - Michael Donkor (The British Library)

Othello in 3 panels

Why Shakespeare?

The source of Othello's plot

Shakespeare took the plot of Othello from Cinthio’s Gli Hecatommithi (1565) – a story about Disdemona and her Moorish husband, who is duped by his villainous Ensign. Shakespeare removed the idea that the Ensign was motivated by lust for Disdemona, and he added the characters of Roderigo and Brabantio.

Image source

More historical information about Othello by the British Library.