What ideas are developed and introduced in acts II & III?
During II and III of the tempest, we learn some more about themes and ideas that are initially introduced during the first act. Shakespeare shows a slight allegorical theme about God and humanity through Prospero, Ariel and Miranda. We also learn more about the comical side plot involving Calliban, Trinculo and Stefano. However the playwright links these three characters into a more serious side of the play by involving them with corruption. Shakespeare also gives us some more insight into the quickly growing romance of Ferdinand and Miranda.
Shakespeare invites us to look at the possibility of a biblical allegory intertwined in the play. The playwright shows Prospero to the audience as being omnipotent. He does this by showing Prospero's control over his two slaves, and his ability to summon all his spirits, also he must be powerful to conjure up the storm, the effect of this is that the audience will have to take Prospero more seriously and gives the audience another perspective on his character. Shakespeare also gives Prospero the trait of being omnipresent. Shakespeare uses Ariel and the rest of Prospero's spirits to be his eyes and ears. The playwright also shows Prospero as being omniscient, which is shown by his long plan all working well. I believe that Shakespeare uses the trio of Prospero, Ariel and Miranda to symbolise the holy trinity. This is exemplified when Prospero talks to Ferdinand about giving him a 'third of mine own life.' The implication of this is that know those three will be seen as the good guys and the audience will believe they are unstoppable as long as they are a three. The playwright also evokes a representation of Lucifer by Antonio. This is done by Shakespeare showing that Antonio betrayed Prospero, and if Prospero symbolises God, then Antonio must be a depiction of the devil. The outcome of this is that the audience will find Antonio to be a new kind of evil and not just someone that has a lust for power. This theme of God and humanity and showing the holy trinity being symbolised by Prospero, Miranda and Ariel, and Lucifer being shown as Antonio, simply gives the audience a firmer understanding of who is right and who is wrong.
During II and III of the tempest, we learn some more about themes and ideas that are initially introduced during the first act. Shakespeare shows a slight allegorical theme about God and humanity through Prospero, Ariel and Miranda. We also learn more about the comical side plot involving Calliban, Trinculo and Stefano. However the playwright links these three characters into a more serious side of the play by involving them with corruption. Shakespeare also gives us some more insight into the quickly growing romance of Ferdinand and Miranda.
Shakespeare invites us to look at the possibility of a biblical allegory intertwined in the play. The playwright shows Prospero to the audience as being omnipotent. He does this by showing Prospero's control over his two slaves, and his ability to summon all his spirits, also he must be powerful to conjure up the storm, the effect of this is that the audience will have to take Prospero more seriously and gives the audience another perspective on his character. Shakespeare also gives Prospero the trait of being omnipresent. Shakespeare uses Ariel and the rest of Prospero's spirits to be his eyes and ears. The playwright also shows Prospero as being omniscient, which is shown by his long plan all working well. I believe that Shakespeare uses the trio of Prospero, Ariel and Miranda to symbolise the holy trinity. This is exemplified when Prospero talks to Ferdinand about giving him a 'third of mine own life.' The implication of this is that know those three will be seen as the good guys and the audience will believe they are unstoppable as long as they are a three. The playwright also evokes a representation of Lucifer by Antonio. This is done by Shakespeare showing that Antonio betrayed Prospero, and if Prospero symbolises God, then Antonio must be a depiction of the devil. The outcome of this is that the audience will find Antonio to be a new kind of evil and not just someone that has a lust for power. This theme of God and humanity and showing the holy trinity being symbolised by Prospero, Miranda and Ariel, and Lucifer being shown as Antonio, simply gives the audience a firmer understanding of who is right and who is wrong.
