Ideas developed in Act II and III of The Tempest
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
What is important about Act I of the Tempest
What is important about act 1 of 'The Tempest'? There are a lot of important matters that occur in the introductory act of 'The Tempest'. For starters, we learn a lot about the characters in a short time, this is mainly due to the royal party being on the boat under storm and characters generously unfold a lot more under strenuous conditions. This also helps us get to know Prospero, Miranda and his servants a lot better, this is mainly due to Prospero trying to seize the situation and take control of it. We also manage to find out about the background of Prospero, Antonio and Alonso. During the opening scene, we hear Boatswain talking to the storm, "Blow till thou burst thy wind." This personifies the tempest, making it a character. This line is very important because later on in the play we find out that the storm was in fact being controlled by Prospero. This is important because we later find out that it was in fact Ariel creating an image of the storm, and we get the hint that the storm is so surreal that Boatswain believes it to be alive. This just highlights Ariel's power, and if she can be this powerful, then Prospero's magic must be very influential. During the opening act, we also learn much of the relationships between the characters. We see Prospero and Miranda's relationship as quite a trustworthy one. This is mainly due to the fact that Miranda is fully aware
The Tempest has been called a tragi-comedy. Show why you think this is an apt classification of Shakespeare’s last play.
LITERATURE The Tempest has been called a tragi-comedy. Show why you think this is an apt classification of Shakespeare's last play. A tragedy according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary is a " drama in prose or verse of elevated theme and diction and with unhappy events or endings ". A comedy is defined as a " stage play of light, amusing and often satirical character, chiefly representing everyday life and with happy endings ". If a play can host elements of the two " genres ", it is called a tragi-comedy. A study of action, characters and themes in The Tempest would reveal if it is an apt classification of the play. The proximity to death is the main criteria that defines tragic events.The opening scene of The Tempest has an obvious tragic potential : a boat conveying the King of Naples and his court is caught in a fierce sea storm. The passengers are in immediate danger of drowning. Although noble and powerful, they seem at the mercy of superior powers. Another tragic event , previous to the action of the play but recalled in Act I, Scene 2, is the betrayal of Prospero by his brother Antonio followed by the exile of the Duke and his daughter Miranda. The plot of Sebastian and Antonio to murder Alonso and his old councillor, Gonzalo is an echo to this. Also Prospero's " passion that works him strongly " in Act IV, Scene 1 produces a very strong effect on the other
What is the importance of Prospero in the play The tempest
Lisa Walkden What is the importance of Prospero in the play? The main protagonist of 'The Tempest', Prospero is also the chief actor. He is of great importance in the play and we are subjected to many varying sides and emotions of Prospero as although he is just one character he plays many roles within society. Prospero is very highly respected in 'The Tempest' as a master, of Ariel and Caliban and a father, of Miranda. He is a teacher and is looked up to, he is also seen as a very wise and educated man. However because of his powers and the fact that he seeks revenge he is also feared by many of the others in 'The Tempest'. Prospero is a very powerful and important man who controls many things. He is a magician with great powers and is able to control elements as well as other people. Magic has set Prospero above most other human's, it has made him into almost a God. This is not a natural or appropriate position for Prospero to be in. Although this magic has given Prospero great power to lead the others on the island, he has done so in the nature of a God. In order for Prospero to become an ideal human leader, he must give up "this rough magic" and consent to allow his power to flow only from the loyalty of his people and those who believe in him. Prospero's use of his magic, while it is done at times to indulge himself is also used in some cases for some greater
Caliban characterisation - The Tempest
Caliban As the embodiment of the Jacobean view of foreigners as "savage", due to 18th century xenophobia, Caliban is depicted as being elemental, debased and an "unthinking bundle of primitive instinct"-suggesting his incapacity to make measured decisions as he has been isolated from western civilisation and society. His name can be seen as an anagram of "cannibal" which once again suggests his uncivilised and survivalist nature. As the legitimate ruler of the island the modern audience can realise the exploitation of the indigenous "monster of the isle" - a beast-like, unfeeling native. Caliban is usurped from his inherited rule, much like Prospero is overthrown by Alonso. Shakespeare uses a noun as a verb as Caliban says "sty me" to emphasise that he has been kept like an animal, an image constructed by the imperialist and omnipotent author. The uneven relationship between the coloniser and the wild native is explored by the playwright's repetitive use of the language of colonial exploitation and images of incarceration as Caliban is "confined", with his own island as his "prison". The power relations are highlighted by Miranda calling Caliban an "Abhorréd slave", the accentuated adjective emphasising the hateful, loathing tone towards the subordinate, uncouth "thing". Caliban's attempted rape of Miranda when he did "seek to violate/ The
Caliban's Nature.
Caliban's Nature When looking at Shakespeare's "The Tempest" one can find underlying themes of civilization verses barbarism. The characters that are created represent symbols of nature, and their actions build their symbolism. Through the actions we get a view of Shakespeare's ideas on civilization and the uncivilized, as well of letting the reader form their own opinions. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, after being removed by his brother, arrives on an island. He frees a spirit named Ariel from a spell and in turn makes the spirit his slave. He also enslaves a native monster named Caliban. These two slaves, Caliban and Ariel represent the theme of nature verses nature. Caliban is considered the illustration of the wild, a beast of nature. During the first meeting, Caliban comes across as very savage and immoral. Prospero, when approaching Caliban's lair, says disdainfully, "...[he] never/Yields us kind answer," meaning Caliban never responds with respect. Once Prospero reaches the cave he calls out and Caliban harshly retorts, "There's wood enough within." This short reply reveals the bitterness he feels from leading his life as a slave. This attitude makes Caliban appear to be an valueless servant. There is also an extreme anger on the part of Caliban towards Prospero. When he is requested to come forward, Caliban answers, "As wicked dew e'er my mother brushed/With
Discuss the character of Caliban in Act 2 Scene 2
Discuss the character of Caliban in Act 2 Scene 2 The character of Caliban in the tempest is arguably one of the most interesting Shakespeare characters. Caliban, in the play, could be seen as symbolising the struggle for democracy. This is due to the fact that prospero sees Caliban as being beneath him, and himself and Miranda as higher. Colonialism is a major theme in the play as some critics may say it takes Prospero to be a European invader of the primitive and magical land he has taken over. Also by using his superior knowledge to enslave its original inhabitants, most importantly Caliban and Ariel. This is a symbol for European colonial power in which England was growing increasingly familiar with during Shakespeare's lifetime. The key figure in this treatment of the play is Caliban, who regards himself as the rightful owner of the island and believes that Prospero stole power off him. "This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother." We learn a lot from Caliban's character through his actions in Act 2 scene 2. Even though Prospero extends his European hospitality towards Caliban, teaches him language, in return is shown all the natural resources of the island, it is clear that Caliban has no sense of loyalty as he refuses to live by the rules of Prospero and more importantly tries to rape Miranda. Ultimately, this led to their relationship becoming one of master and
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
In "Titus Andronicus", William Shakespeare has used food throughout the whole text to represent revenge
In Titus Andronicus, William Shakespeare has used food throughout the whole text to represent revenge, not only does making them eat the pie make Titus feel fulfilled, but he also feels there has been justice. William Shakespeare has made sure that Titus has authority when speaking to both Chiron and Demetrius, ‘stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word’, he has used a strong declarative to emphasize that whatever his says is what will happen. This could be because he wants to let them know they aren’t as powerful anymore by lowering their status; however at the same time he is also stating that they may have been in charge before when they had raped his daughter, yet now they are nothing and he is under control, he has done this by using the personal pronoun ‘them’ to emphasize it. This is a complex sentence; Titus is continually speaking so that they have no say, this ensures that they know Titus is furious, and what they did was terrible, thus showing that Titus has no sympathy. Shakespeare has also used emotive language ‘both her sweet hands, her tongue and that more dear’, he has again used personal pronouns, showing that this is personal to him since this is his daughter, this will have an impact on the reader because they will sympathy towards Titus, even though he killed Titus’s son in the past. This is effective because it shifts the
The Tempest - How is Caliban presented and what is his dramatic significance to the play?
How is Caliban presented and what is his dramatic significance to the play? Caliban is the son of Sycorax, a witch that originally inhabited (and so is the only true native) of the Island on which the play is set. He is the "misshapen" slave of Prospero who claimed the island as his own when he was banished to it 12 years previously. Prospero refers to him using earthly names, such as "tortoise", making very clear quite early on that Caliban is not considered an equal by Prospero or Miranda. He is seen as a lower, 'uncivilised' life-form because of the uneducated and primal state they originally met him in, making their actions to correct this mirror the current events during the Elizabethan period in regards to the discovery of the Americas. Shakespeare has used the character of Caliban to represent the natives of such countries, giving the role of the 'civilised' invaders to Prospero and Miranda who attempt to educate Caliban in a bid to make him an acceptable person in the eyes of the society Prospero was usurped from. This was a failure, as although they "took pains to make [him] speak" they could not rid him of his primal nature or his uneducated sense of morals and so he could see nothing wrong with endeavouring to rape Miranda. This was the point where Prospero stopped trying to nurture Caliban into a respectable man and started seeing him as "filth". Shakespeare
