Isolation In Othello Research Paper

Many individuals today might argue that interactions with friends and family are the key to a healthy life. It is evident that should one become isolated from these interactions or from outside information, unfortunate occurrences are sure to follow. This is not a new idea, either. Many great writers have warned the populace about the dangers of an isolated lifestyle, one of the most noteable being William Shakespeare. In his work Othello, Shakespeare’s frequent isolation of his characters combined with their misfortune as a direct result is a clear warning to the reader about the dangers of living an isolated life. Shakespeare develops his warning against isolation throughout the plot of Othello. He accomplishes this using two distinct devices: literal and metaphorical isolation. The first type observed is metaphorical when Iago is chosen to testify about Cassio’s drunken brawl to Othello. Iago spins the story to make

In acts four and five of the play, Isolation is what allows for two of the characters to be murdered, as well as one to be injured. Desdemona’s death was a product of her isolation from Emilia, as Othello “bade [Desdemona] to dismiss [her]” before going to bed (4.3.14) . Without Emilia as a witness, Othello is free to succumb to jealousy and kill Desdemona. In addition to her death, Roderigo is killed secretly by Iago who also wounds Cassio. Iago is able to attack both men because he “[fashioned Cassio’s going thence from Bianca’s] to fall between twelve and one [so that Roderigo] may take him at [his] pleasure” (4.2.268-270). Iago’s skillful isolation of Desdemona, Cassio, and Roderigo allow for misfortune to befall all three of them, in a deadly manner for most. The bodily harm that ensues further reinforces the fact that the theme of isolation serves as a warning to Shakespeare’s