Othello
Othello, written around 1603, is Shakespeare's tragedy of jealousy. Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice, has secretly married Desdemona, the daughter of a senator, and is sent to defend Cyprus against the Turks. His ensign Iago, passed over for promotion and nursing hatreds he barely explains, sets out to destroy him by persuading him that Desdemona is unfaithful with the lieutenant Cassio. With a handkerchief, a few overheard words and a mastery of insinuation, Iago turns a confident commander into a murderer in the space of a few days. The play has the tightest plot of the major tragedies, and the scenes between Othello and Iago, and the final scene in Desdemona's bedchamber, are among the most harrowing in drama. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first act free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Othello
Othello by William Shakespeare can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Othello online?
Yes. Othello opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Othello free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Othello is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Othello in the public domain?
Yes. Othello by William Shakespeare is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Othello?
About 1 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Othello?
Othello by William Shakespeare is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9] cover](https://oevmrdiqbqgahpngvxnl.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/vinteuil-com-covers/the-works-of-william-shakespeare-cambridge-edition-vol-8-of-9.jpg?width=2560&quality=75&resize=contain)
![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 3 of 9] cover](https://oevmrdiqbqgahpngvxnl.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/vinteuil-com-covers/the-works-of-william-shakespeare-cambridge-edition-vol-3-of-9.jpg?width=2560&quality=75&resize=contain)
![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 7 of 9] cover](https://oevmrdiqbqgahpngvxnl.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/vinteuil-com-covers/the-works-of-william-shakespeare-cambridge-edition-vol-7-of-9.jpg?width=2560&quality=75&resize=contain)
![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9] cover](https://oevmrdiqbqgahpngvxnl.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/vinteuil-com-covers/the-works-of-william-shakespeare-cambridge-edition-vol-4-of-9.jpg?width=2560&quality=75&resize=contain)