Forms of isolation in “Othello”

Emotional Isolation

Emotional isolation figures prominently in “Othello” as one of the most common types of isolation. The play’s title character, Othello, is a proud and self-assured warrior who discovers himself in a foreign place with people who do not comprehend him. Othello is brave and strong, but he feels emotionally cut off from his wife, Desdemona, and the rest of Venetian society. Due to his emotional isolation, Othello develops a growing sense of resentment and mistrust towards the people around him, which finally results in his sad demise.

Apart from that, almost all the other main and secondary characters suffer from the isolation caused or effected by other characters throughout the plot.

psychological Isolation

A different kind of isolation that appears in “Othello” is psychological isolation. This is demonstrated by the figure of Iago, a consummate manipulator who utilises his wit and cunning to distance Othello from the truth and direct him down a destructive road. Iago’s inner goals and aspirations, which are derived from his own experiences of psychological solitude, guide his actions. As a result, he is in a position to utilise his wits and cunning to manipulate people close to him, which helps to keep him isolated.

Apart from Iago, there are other characters who contribute to causing psychological isolation in others, such as Othello, Emilia, and Brabantio.

Physical Isolation

Physical isolation is also a theme in “Othello.” The characters in the play are dispersed around a distant country, far from their homes and accustomed surroundings. The protagonists’ sense of isolation on an emotional and psychological level is made worse by their physical separation from the world they are familiar with. The protagonists’ physical separation from one another also plays a role in the breakdown of their relationships and the disintegration of their lives.