How does Shakespeare use language to convey Prospero's character in act one scene two
How does Shakespeare use language to convey Prosperos character in Act 1 Scene 2? Shakespeare shows his characters to be unique. They each have extraordinary characteristics ands personalities in the play. The main character whom I am going to concentrate on is Prospero. I will be focusing on his gestures and language and how this suits his character in the tempest. Prospero is a powerful, sharp, determined and a loving farther. He is willing to change and can also become mercurial at times. Prospero is considerate yet stern. So how does Shakespeare use language to convey prosperos character? Example one: Prospero uses similes, metaphors and detailed description to emphasis the horror of Ariel's situation before he came to the island. This highlights his own power as he sets Ariel free. "She did confine thee.... into a cloven pine". Here Prospero is reminding Ariel of what he's been through (Sycorax) Prospero is conveying his power and mercy upon Ariel. Prospero keeps using blackmail against Ariel (so Ariel can stay and serve Prospero). Prospero quotes "Once a month recount what thou hast been" Here Prospero is convincing Ariel to once a month recount and remind himself of what he's been through and that Prospero has helped Ariel through his bad times. This now gives Ariel no chance but to listen to Prospero under pressure and for giving short
Discuss the Dramatic Significance of the opening scene of The Tempest
Discuss the Dramatic Significance of the Opening Scene of Shakespeare's Play 'The Tempest' The opening scene of William Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' is a dramatic significance for many reasons. The name of the poem is linked into the story straight away because these men are trapped on a ship in the midst of a storm which is the literal meaning for tempest. The tempest itself is like an eruption of drama and action, the way it destroys is almost symbolic of overthrow and usurpation which is echoed later on in the book. The fact that there is a king on board the ship makes this scene all the more tense because if the storm succeeds in destroying their ship then he shall probably be killed along with most the men which is very likely considering that a tempest is probably the most dangerous storm to be caught up in. In this opening we find out the roles and characteristics of some of the lead characters. One of these is the optimistic Gonzalo who tries to release the great tenseness on the ship by reassuring the men that they will not be killed by the storm because the boatswain has the mark of hanging on him and uses this superstitious belief to try and relax his shipmates. Another character whose personality is revealed well is that of Antonio. He is a arrogant, rude and unpleasant character who does not agree with the way that the boatswain disrupts the hierarchy
The Winter's Tale
Andrea Sanchez Ms. Fazel English 7-8 AP May 2002 The Winter's Tale Many of Shakespeare's plays are ones which begin happy in love and end in tragedy, thus the case in The Winter's Tale. This tale includes many different elements including the common love, tragedy, and madness, themes which are also found in his previous works, The Tempest and Hamlet. In The Winter's Tale and The Tempest Shakespeare combines a mixture of comic and tragic styles, incorporating elements of both romance and realism which is very different from any of the other plays he's written before. Both The Winter's Tale and The Tempest contain a comic style, with the 'bad' characters being punished, and all conflict reaching resolution at the end. In these plays, although all suffering is overcome, peace and harmony is never restored in the way that is usual in comedy. In The Winter's Tale, for example, the reconciliation of Hermione and Leontes does not end joyous and happy, but instead through Leontes' regretful words of their separation and the time wasted: "Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely each one demand and answer to his part performed in this wide gap of time since first we were dissevered (V.iii.Line188)." Similarly, in The Tempest the final reconciliation of Prospero and Antonio is also not a blissful one. Even in the words of forgiveness which Prospero speaks there is a note of
Explore the dramatic significance of the island setting in the play
Explore the dramatic significance of the island setting in the play In Act 2 Scene 1, Gonzalo's "lush and lusty" vision of the island is an antithesis to Antonio's "tawny" view. This links strongly to the theme of illusion, as however the character perceives the island is related to how honest and optimistic they are about other matters. Where Gonzalo is pleased to be alive, Antonio is still finding himself in a dissatisfactory situation. Shakespeare is doing this so that the audience can imagine the island however they want to, with limited scenery in the 17th Century, the language used was important in setting the Scene, however, the island is left as a 'blank canvas'. It could also be interpreted that the island is not fully described because Shakespeare wants to leave it mysterious, so that the audience can hold a temporary suspension of disbelief, making all of the magic, illusion, monsters and spirits more credible. The island is surrounded by water, which is a recurring image in the Tempest. "What cares these roarers in the name of the King?" shows how the water does not follow the divine right of Kings, nature is sometimes more powerful than man, although ironically in this Scene, man is controlling the tempest. The characters' "rather new dyed than rich with salt-water" clothing portrays the magical property of the water surrounding the island. This is an important
'Tempest' is clearly a play which represents christian morality.
'Tempest' is clearly a play which represents christian morality by louise coles In this piece of coursework I'm going to show how shakespear shows his beliefe towards christians by using each of the characters. Christian morality means that every person should have it no matter what they have done and if you truly feel sorry or bad about what you have done you will always be forgiven no matter what. To make a point Prospero sinks the passing ship which has on it all the people who decieved him. They are then taken to the island where Prospero represents a god like figure and the island represents the world and the castaways are all the people that live on the world. Shakespear is trying to teach us that you should not revengeful and take the the less hurtful approach and just teach those who have done wrong a lesson so they will learn from it. The outline of the play is that the ship which was passing the island carried the shipmen which were once mean and decieved Prospero who was once the Juke of Milan there for Prospero wanted to teach the men a lesson and sunk there ship. This made them all come to the island where Prospero could start his powers on them and begin to teach them a lesson. The play is a comady and there for must have a happy ending. All the characters deserve this so that when they leave the island they are all reformed. And at the end it shows
The Tempest - analysis of themes in a speech by Ariel.
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. Register: 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. 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
The Tempest - Prospero's Rebirth.
Written by Maggie Quale Prospero's Rebirth Prospero is a man who struggles with his humanity. As a leader and father he is dichotomous - equally judicious and naïve. His exile from Milan is proof of his inadequacy as a Duke, but the loyalty demonstrated by his devoted companion Gonzalo as he saved him from death, suggests that he is also worthy of allegiance. As a father to Miranda and master to Caliban and Ariel, Prospero is equally manipulative and compassionate. Within the scenes of The Tempest, and the historical events narrated by Prospero, we watch him metamorphose from self-absorbed and over-critical to someone coming to terms with his own failings, able to forgive others' transgressions and relinquish his dependence on magic to control others. His emotional transformation at the play's culmination is one of reparation and personal growth. What sets Prospero apart from the other characters in The Tempest and those seeking revenge in other of Shakespeare's plays is his ultimate penitence. The positive attributes of his personality enable a powerful transformation. His use of control becomes a window to his auspicious inner qualities, represented by their outward manifestations of ascendancy on those who he protects. Consider his love for Miranda exhibited in his careful selection of a mate and his attempt to portray Miranda as an incomparable treasure to Ferdinand.
Script work - Who should be duke of Milan?
Script work - Who should be duke of Milan? Judge: Antonio, you are charged with illegally usurping the dukedom of Milan. Do you plead guilty, or not guilty? Antonio: Not guilty. Judge: Prosecution, you may call your first to give evidence: Miranda. P Lawyer: Miss Miranda, how long have you known about your father's unfortunate past? Miranda: Oh, well I only found out yesterday. I have always had memories of being on a boat, and a huge storm arising, but I thought I must have been dreaming, or at least making it up. P Lawyer: And do you think that Mr Antonio was right to banish your father? Miranda: No I certainly do not! My father was always good and kind to Antonio. Antonio is cruel to exile his own flesh and blood. And an innocent four-year-old girl. When the storm arose that night, we could have died. But Antonio didn't care at all. All he ever wanted was father's money and happy lifestyle! P Lawyer: No further questions Your Honour. Next I'd like to call Mr. Prospero to the stand. (When Prospero is there) Mr Prospero, can you tell me what made you a good Duke? Prospero: Well, like I told my daughter yesterday, I made a good Duke because I spent a lot of time studying and reading in my Library, and yet I still managed to solve the problems, and legal troubles of my people. P Lawyer: And, can you tell the courts how you coped with all the problems - what your
'The Tempest is concerned with government - of the self and of the state' Discuss with reference to Act One.
Katrina Stalker English Literature The Tempest - Essay Question 'The Tempest is concerned with government - of the self and of the state' Discuss with reference to Act One Act one of 'The Tempest' takes place at sea during a storm which the nobles of Milan and Naples get caught in and also on an island inhabited by Prospero, Miranda, Ariel and Caliban. Prospero brings the nobles to the island through his creation of the storm. Act one is also concerned with the theme of government of the self and of the state to a certain extent. Prospero is the character most obviously concerned with this theme. His preoccupation with being self-discipline led him to neglect his commitment to the state as the Duke of Milan. Prospero describes himself as being too 'rapt in secret studies' of 'the liberal arts' making him 'cast upon (his) brother (Antonio)' the Dukedom. Prospero was too passionately involved with his studies, this is clear from the words 'rapt' and 'transported' that have been used to describe his mentality towards his studies. It could be seen that Prospero's need at 'bettering (his) mind' could lead him to become a better person possibly a more effective leader, however Prospero began to withdrawn from his leadership to concentrate on governing himself rather then his nation. I believe it is clear that Prospero is a poor political leader and this can be seem when he
How does Shakespeare present the encounter between Ferdinand and Miranda from lines 450-499?
How does Shakespeare present the encounter between Ferdinand and Miranda from lines 450-499? The encounter between Miranda and Ferdinand in lines 450-499 of The Tempest is presented using three characters, Miranda, Ferdinand, and Prospero. Miranda and Ferdinand have fallen in love at first sight to Prospero's delight, though he doesn't want them to fall in love too quickly or interfere with his plans, so he lies to Miranda about Ferdinand's unworthiness and then charms Ferdinand from moving. Miranda is presented as a helpless damsel distressed by the way her father handled this situation. "If the ill spirit have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with't" These are Miranda's first words in these lines saying that physical beauty is a sign of proper morals and righteousness. This was an axiom during the renaissance period, hinting that she is only wise enough to state the obvious argument. After Ferdinand is charmed from moving she says, "He's gentle and not fearful." This sounding like she believes he is courageous, but more likely she is emphasizing his gentleness and compassion. These short interjections present Miranda as useless to the entire dispute. There are only three lines of verbal exchange between Miranda and Ferdinand, "My father is of a better nature, sir, Than he appears by speech. This is unwonted Which now came from him." This