Shakespeare's masterpiece of love, deceit and revenge, Othello follows the intricate and pathological plotting of Othello's trusted friend Iago to destroy him. It illustrates how words can transform a deep and profound love into profound and murderous jealousy. Othello is heroic because of merit, but is despised and suspected because of race. This penetrating exploration of jealousy, fear of "the other," and a love so strong and defiant that it destroys itself looms as hypnotic and frightening as when it was first penned in 1604.