Isolation In Othello Essay

The Shakespearean play titled The Tragedy of Othello - The Moor of Venice revolves around the noble and wise general Othello, newly married and sent to battle in Cyprus. However, he is twisted psychologically by his vengeful officer Iago. By keeping multiple people isolated from others, Iago is capable of bending them to his will throughout the course of the play. This is not only a device of storytelling made for Othello, but a warning that when used effectively, isolation could be used to disastrous results. While it is not the first time Iago can be seen alone with someone, the first time he is truly seen using his abilities in manipulation and suggestion is when he warns Montano that he needs to closely watch the now drunken Cassio, saying …show more content…
Being set on ruining both Cassio’s and Othello’s lives, Iago spends all of Act 3 Scene 3, the longest scene in the play, twisting Othello’s mind into fully believing that his newly wedded, loving and caring wife Desdemona has actually been cheating on him with Cassio. Othello believes this to the point where he orders Cassio’s death (3.3.537-8). All previous examples of the dangers that can be found in isolation have involved Iago either describing events to, or lying to other characters, but this changes when he manages to completely warp Othello’s sense of perception. Othello observes Iago and Cassio discuss a night of passion between Cassio and Bianca, Cassio’s actual lover. However, Othello is so convinced in Desdemona’s disloyalty, he is genuinely believing that he is witnessing these two men before him talk about Cassio’s love of Desdemona, and “how she plucked him [Cassio] to my [Othello’s] chamber” (4.1.120-187). Not only is Othello confusing the truth with fiction, but now he has become so isolated inside of his own mind that he has begun to lose his sense of reality, all due to the deeds of an angry officer who believes his general has wronged