In this Readers' Guide, Nicholas Potter traces the critical history of
the play from the earliest pronouncements to present-day criticism. The
most significant critical accounts are excerpted and discussed, placed
within their historical context and assessed for their contribution to
the developing evaluation of the work. The Guide assumes no particular
view of the continuing debate, but tries to do justice to the variety of
opinion, as well as pointing out significant themes and recurring
concerns. The ugly racism of many critical accounts, and the inadequacy
of many attempts to face up to the issues raised by the play, are not
glossed over. Othello is a play that challenges many received opinions
and that still provokes controversy.