The Tempest - analysis of themes in a speech by Ariel.

Authors Avatar by kaverinadhamunigmailcom (student)
Ariel that you three

From Milan did supplant good Prospero,

Exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it,

Him and his innocent child. For which foul deed

The powers—delaying, not forgetting—have

Incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures, 5

Against your peace.—Thee of thy son, Alonso,

They have bereft, and do pronounce by me

Lingering perdition, worse than any death

Can be at once, shall step by step attend

You and your ways; whose wraths to guard you from—

Which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls

Upon your heads—is nothing but hearts' sorrow

And a clear life ensuing.

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The register that Shakespeare uses in this extract is of archaic English which uses a different sentence structure and different words. The word ‘isle’, for example, in place of the word ‘island’ shows the type of English used. The words ‘unto’, ‘hath’, ‘yea’ and ‘thy’ also add to the authenticity of the play by using language that is very fitting with the setting.
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The plot of the Tempest revolves around Prospero’s scheme for revenge on the nobles who usurped him, for justice, for power and for reconciliation. Act 3 Sc iii is the climax of the play where Ariel reveals the reason behind their landing on the Island - punishment for their sins. Shakespeare uses language, stage directions as literary devices to bring out certain themes and to make Ariel’s dialogue dramatic and powerful.

In this scene, Ariel has the appearance of a harpy. This gives a supernatural atmosphere to the island and suggests that fate - not Prospero ...

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