The focus of this paper is on the first Portuguese translation of William Shakespeare’s Othello by Simão de Melo Brandão. First, the article investigates some aspects of Portuguese theatre during the eighteenth century. Next, it looks into the first references on Shakespeare in Portugal. The authorship of Othello, ou o Mouro de Venza constitutes the next topic. The source text of Brandão’s translation and other preliminary matters and his approach as a translator are among the other issues discussed.