Isolation In Othello

The classic stories of Cast Away by William Broyles Jr. and Othello by William Shakespeare illustrate the tragic effect of isolation on the human psyche and how it changes relationships with others. Chuck is first isolated by a plane crash, but when he is brought back into society, his solitude is still present. While Othello’s isolation is brought on by Iago, but existed before within his insecurity of his own race.

It is hard for Othello to relate to other characters because he feels he is black and therefore cannot fully comprehend the Venetian culture of the white people. This mindset leaves him vulnerable to Iago’s manipulation. This notion is centered on the fact that since Othello is not white, Desdemona could not truly love him, and she will revert back to loving men of her own race. Othello’s isolation is self-induced because he sees himself as inferior to the society around him. In act I scene I

Brabantio, Iago and Roderigo announce their views of Othello using slurs such as “thick-lips” (62) and “the Moor” (113). These slurs portray Othello as a bad guy, a typical stereotype of his race at the time. G.K. Hunter explains this stereotype in his literary criticism Othello and Color Prejudice. “In Greece and Rome black was the color of ill luck, death, condemnation, and malevolence” (Hunter). He also adds “Certainly the drama of the middle ages seems to have used black figures to represent the evil of this world and the next”. The unfavorable views of Othello by society and being racially degraded constantly leaves him as an outcast, and therefore easy to manipulate. Iago takes advantage of Othello and fills his head with lies. Iago’s lies turn Othello insane as he begins to isolate himself from Cassio, Desdemona, and then society as a whole.
When Chuck Noland of Cast Away experiences his plane crash, he is subjected to literal isolation by being left alone without human interaction. Chuck is left to cope with his exile by befriending a volleyball named Wilson. He has conversations with Wilson to fill the void left by his new lack of human contact. Wilson becomes a source of motivation, as Chuck tells him “Now I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?” (Zemeckis). The storyline of Cast Away illustrates Chuck’s journey from pure isolation to enlightenment. He becomes bereft when he loses Wilson, the only object keeping him motivated and sane, causing Chuck to be completely alone in his mind. He not only loses his best friend, but also his coping mechanism. Through his experience, he learns that the only aspect a person can control in their life is how they react to their surroundings. Chuck illustrates isolation in its polar opposites, Crippling mental distress caused by an overactive mind, and reaching enlightenment and truth through pure and natural thought.
Both cases of isolation are reflective of the time periods and societies they were set in.

Race was contentious in 1600 Venice, as society was centered on a homogenous ethnicity. Many Europeans had little contact with people from Africa. Their current information from portrayed dark-skinned people as bad; as darkness had a common connotation with evil, death, and mystery. Shakespeare knew that by having the main character, Othello, be a black Moor it would challenge people’s preconceived notions about other races. Not to mention, the antagonist, Iago, was a white Venetian continuing to challenge what society thinks of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ based on appearance. On the other hand, as technology advanced through the 1900s and into the 21st century, many rational fears are centered around the technology that exists today. Although rare, plane crashes happen every year causing many deaths and missing people. Race in the 21st century is not as controversial as it was in the 1600s, so the Cast Away storyline strikes more fear and relates to modern day

audiences.
Throughout Othello and Cast Away, the effect of isolation on the human psyche is explored. The audience can scrutinize how both Othello and Chuck’s relationships with themselves and others fall apart. Isolation can be brought on and dealt with in many different ways, as Othello exiles himself by race and deals with his isolation with anger. Chuck becomes secluded by a plane crash and his coping mechanism is a volleyball. Both stories teach the audience the importance of having trustworthy friends, belief in yourself and always being prepared.