European sense of superiority goes along with the ill attitude of the colonizer Prospero in the play The Tempest.
William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” compiled in The Bedford Introduction to Drama (1993) is a romantic comedy which revolves round the protagonist of the play; Prospero and his magic spell to achieve his latent objective in the far off island of Caribbean which he has colonized with the only representative of colonized subject; Caliban with different colonial impulses Trinchulo, Stephano and Sebastian and the relationship between the colonizer; Prospero and the colonized; Caliban who has lost everything to the magic power and is bound to serve the cruel colonizer in his own native territory. Being brought by his mother Sycorax Caliban is very pure, innocent and natural. How ever, when desperate Prospero took over the island and started to colonize it, Caliban is fated and doomed to serve him and his daughter Miranda with unquestioning spirit that has corrupted him and aggravated him in his well being as he has nothing to fight against him. Prospero on the other hand is very cruel and totally a dictator with his command over Ariel and the different elements of the island and the nature. He constantly belittles Caliban and intimidates him to get what he is after over the subject of his colonization and proves be very ungrateful guest as he leaves the island with the colonial guilt in him taking everything that was worth in his dukedom back in Milan. The oppression by the
In this essay, I will be comparing the soliloquies and asides placed in the adaptation of William Shakespeares The Tempest by Julie Taymor in 2008-10.
Soliloquies and Asides In this essay, I will be comparing the soliloquies and asides placed in the adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Tempest by Julie Taymor in 2008-10. A soliloquy is a dramatic technique used strategically to allow the audience to hear and see what is going on in a character's mind, almost as if they are thinking aloud. The three scenes that I will be consulting during the course of this question are: 1. Act: 1, Scene: 2, Pages: 45-47, Lines: 329-363 2. Act: 5, Scene: 1, Pages: 173-177, Lines: 32-100 3. Act: 5, Scene: 1, Page: 195, Lines: 1-20 In the original script for this play, the major themes are used to lead the audience through a journey which highlights motifs that arise throughout. This being one of Shakespeare's strengths, that are praised ion his plays, had been left untouched in the adaptation created by Julie Taymor in 2008-10. Furthermore, the soliloquy in Act: 1, Scene: 2, Pages: 45-47, Lines: 329-363, spoken by Caliban to Prospero, is a good example of a dialogue in which a character expresses their emotions to another character in contrast to a monologue. Shakespeare uses the speech in this confrontation between the savage slave known as Caliban and his wizardly master, Prospero, effectively by making Caliban speak out against Prospero. This was adequately restored in the adaptation, as Hellen Mirren constantly shows some
Exploring the theme of enslavement in The Tempest
English Coursework: The Tempest Shakespeare wrote most of his tragedies in the early seventeenth century. The Tempest was written around the year of 1611 when drama was beginning to become more political. It is said that this was the last play Shakespeare wrote and for this reason many critics believe the theme and plot of the play have an underlying, hidden meaning. I wish to explore is the theme of enslavement tied to the relationship between Prospero and Caliban within The Tempest and explore the link with colonialism. The theme of colonialism is prominent in the play, particularly in relationship between Prospero, the Coloniser and Caliban, the Colonised. Shakespeare uses a lot of dramatic methods to bring this theme to life. The slavery industry was closely linked to colonialism and understanding of this contemporary topic is crucial in the way one reads the play. There was a notable visit to London by the black-skinned ambassador of the King of Barbary in 1600-1601. It caused quite a stir in society and a lot of critics claim, provided considerable material for the writing of 'Othello'. It is possible this furthermore provided Shakespeare with ideas for the tempest. A writer at the time who may have influenced Shakespeare is Montaigne who writes about foreign natives, portraying them as "noble savages". Caliban speaks in evocative and beautiful verse: this is
Shakespeare's Theme of Power in Act 1- The Tempest
Shakespeare's Theme of Power in Act 1- The Tempest There have been suspicions of Shakespeare's last play written in 1612, named: "Cardenio"- a lost play. However the play we know today as the last written in 1611 is "The Tempest". Shakespeare's main focus was the Theme of Power in "The Tempest". Throughout the play the audience encounters power possessed by different characters enabling them to force another character in particular, against their own will. An example of this was the usurpation of Prospero's Dukedom, forced by the King Alonso and his accomplice Antonio. Although Prospero demonstrated his wizardry as an element of power to cause the shipwreck in the opening scene, it had evoked the audience's anticipated responses especially the colonisation of the island. Power is a symbol of competence substantially used to combat against usurpation. It is also expressed through language to convey the feelings of a character. Boatswain defied his noble; challenging his authority and against the inevitable power of nature: "Blow till thou burst thy wind." His use of power was selfish as well to disrespect the King; a lack of patriotism. Atmospheric power manifests the scenery of the shipwreck as a dramatic technique to reinforce the audience responses of a vicious storm; hence the link to the title "The Tempest". The writer immediately establishes a connection between the
The Tempest: Effective Use of Humor
The Tempest: Effective Use of Humor In Shakespeare's play The Tempest, the cast of characters are squeezed into some archetypal roles. Prospero is our noble hero, Miranda is the beautiful maiden, Antonio is the "villain". Shakespeare gave each of the characters a sense of humor, a tool that allows us to see the subtle details of their minds; a glimpse at the inner workings of each character's personality. It is through the humor that Shakespeare employs , that we are able to see "roundness" in characters that could be otherwise doomed to exist as "flat" characters. Shakespeare uses humor to give his players new life, to help them expand beyond the bounds off mere characters and turn into real people. Miranda is a good example of a character whose humor enriches her personality. At the beginning of the play, it is explained to us, largely through Prospero's exposition, that Miranda is perfect child. She's compassionate, beautiful, well educated and obedient; She's the apple of Prospero's eye. At the beginning of the play of Act I sc ii , however, she comes off s being too perfect. Perfect to the point of annoyance. Perfect to the point of being sterile. despite her assets , she's no more then a china doll. Throw Ferdinad , our handsome prince, into the mix , ND she becomes much more interesting. Gone is the virtuous maiden, replaced by a goggly eyed , puppy headed,
To what extent does 'The Tempest' support the 17th century belief that civilised man is superior to natural man?
To what extent does 'The Tempest' support the 17th century belief that civilised man is superior to natural man? Generally acknowledged as one of Shakespeare's final plays, 'The Tempest' may be described as a romantic tragi-comedy - where love and contentment prosper despite the threatening presence of evil forces. However, beyond the almost 'fairy-tale' like exterior lies a seemingly direct approach to a greatly topical debate at the time. This was the supposed contrast between civilised and uncivilised persons, brought to the fore as a result of recent expeditions overseas. Although pioneering voyages of discovery were not a recent commodity since the travels of Christopher Columbus, almost a century earlier, it wasn't until the early sixteen hundreds that such voyages became more common and with an intent not just to discover new land, but to claim it for the traveller's own country. For example, just four years before the opening performance of 'The Tempest' (1611), the first English settlement was established in Virginia, America and named after the reigning monarch, James I. This process, later termed as colonisation, clearly provoked much thought and consideration on behalf of Shakespeare. His play's remote island setting, previously inhabited by a single native and now amok with men of supposedly more civilised nature, was a suitable compendium with which the
'The Tempest' is not a story about a badly treated Duke. It is really a story about how the story uses power to oppress the weak.
'The Tempest' is not a story about a badly treated Duke. It is really a story about how the story uses power to oppress the weak. In my essay I shall be discussing the different characters and their characteristics in the play and also how 'The Tempest' relates to certain parts of society and how the characters are portrayed as metaphors or stereotypical, I shall also be looking at the impacts of Colonisation and what it can do to a country, through this I shall be looking at how the tempest can be related to colonisation and the way that different people look and class individuals by their race ability and by how they look. William J Shakespeare wrote 'The Tempest' in 1611, many people believe that this was the last play he ever wrote and the last words he ever wrote. The play was performed in front of King James in 1611 and this is what made this play so special. This play is what people could say an Epilogue, Shakespeare's last words. In the play 'The Tempest', the main character is a man called Prospero, Prospero, at the beginning of the play, is portrayed as the Duke of Milan. Prospero and his daughter, Miranda was thrown off the island of Milan to die in the oceans by his evil brother Antonio and the King of Milan Alonso. Prospero and his daughter landed on a magical island were they found a magical staff, magic books and a spirit called Ariel. With these books and
Explore how Shakespeare presents the theme of power in "The Tempest"
Explore how Shakespeare presents the theme of power in "The Tempest" In "The Tempest", power manifests itself in many different forms. Three of the main types of power that Shakespeare explores are the power of love, the power of magic and illusion and the power of a master over his slave. He presents these forms of power in a number of ways. In "The Tempest" Prospero appears to hold the majority of the power. He maintains his control over other characters in various ways, for example he uses the power of love to influence his daughter Miranda. Miranda is devoted to her father, and Prospero uses guilt to maintain this. In their first conversation, Prospero's power over Miranda becomes apparent. She says "Alack, what trouble/Was I then to you!" and it is clear that because of the guilt she feels, she will be willing to do anything for him. It is evident that Miranda is aware of how powerful Prospero is, as she says "Had I been any god of power, I would/ Have sunk the sea within the earth". This indicates that she understands the extent of Prospero's power, and that if she had possessed the same amount of power, she would use it differently to her father. Prospero is manipulative, appearing self-pitying by saying "When I have decked the sea with drops full salt/ Under my burthen groaned" but also egotistical, saying, "Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit/ Than
Use of Contrast in The Tempest.
Use of Contrast in The Tempest William Shakespeare used many different writing devices when he wrote his plays. In Act I of The Tempest, the use of contrasts between characters, setting, and ideas were often used to develop the story, and more importantly, the messages that Shakespeare wished to portray by the play. One good example was how some characters in the first act had their counterparts. Ariel had Caliban, and Gonzalo had Ferdinand. The relationship between Ariel and Caliban could clearly be seen throughout Act I, scene II. Ariel was the "airy spirit" that could assume different shapes, such as the lightning flames seen on the ship (Shakespeare 31), and who had quickness, lightness, grace, and total control over his actions. On the other hand, Caliban who represented the body, couldn't control his actions and thus made him the opposite of Ariel. He even tried to rape Miranda once, but was stopped by Prospero in the process. In fact, it might even be safe to say that Caliban was anti-Ariel, being slow, stupid, and lazy. Gonzalo and Ferdinand were also contrasted in this act. In Act I, scene I lines 28-33, Gonzalo made fun of the boatswain by saying that he didn't look like the type to drown, instead he resembled more of the type to be hanged. Thus implying that no one on the ship would drown. This gesture by Gonzalo showed that he was an optimistic person. On
How effective is the opening of 'The Tempest'?
How effective is the opening of 'The Tempest'? 'The Tempest', written in 1611, is thought to be Shakespeare's last play and is completely original in its storyline. It does, however, take a great amount of inspiration from 16th Century Sailing. The first scene of any play normally sets the scene for the rest of the play. This is not the case for the opening scene to 'The Tempest'. The first scene opens with a storm in the middle of the sea. The general atmosphere is chaotic and it's easy to lose track of what's happening. Everyone seems to be panicking. The reader first sees the Boatswain giving out commands to try and help the ship withstand the storm. The nobility come on deck and are told to go back to their cabins: 'Keep your cabins: you do assist the storm.' 'To cabin...silence...trouble us not!" This shows the severity of the storm, and that the Boatswain is genuinely worried about the storm. As a result of the Boatswain's commands, Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzalo start insulting him. 'A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!' Eventually, the ship splits and many of the ship's passenger jump overboard. We then go onto the second scene, which is extremely different to the first scene. There is a huge contrast. The mood is a lot calmer and more relaxed. Automatically the reader will feel this, and as a result the reader themselves will
