Othello

Othello, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1603, and first performed in 1604. Set during the Ottoman-Venetian War (1570-1573), the story revolves around Othello, a noble Moorish military general serving in the Venetian army who is married to Desdemona, a beautiful wealthy Venetian lady much younger than he. A malevolent junior officer named Iago stokes Othello’s jealousy until the usual calm and stoic man kills his wife in a fit of blind rage. Its themes of passion, jealousy, and race are still relevant today, and it is popular and widely performed.

The significance of Jess studying Othello with Rory is obvious, as it is all about a man who is insecure about his wife, and is too easily led to believe she is unfaithful to him. Dean’s belief in Rory is going to be severely tested by Rory spending time with Jess while he is away. It’s another suggestion from Jess that Dean will become violent over Rory’s relationship with Jess.