William Shakespeare uses his plays not only to entertain the audience, but also to push the audience toward self-evaluation. The brilliance of Shakespeare is that his plays may be interpreted in different ways. The Tempest is not simply a fictional story meant to entertain the audience, but also a complete figurative narrative meant to mirror the art of the theatre. In this play each character represents a significant part in the alternate interpretation of the narrative. Examination of specific characters and their corresponding role in the theatrical world encourages a deeper understanding of self-reflexivity of The Tempest; which highlights William Shakespeare’s struggle to relinquish his art. The scenes and language used by Shakespeare also help to reveal the play’s self-reflexivity. As the play reflects reality, it also reminds the audience that it is an artistic interpretation and not reality. This dynamic creates an interesting contrast between art and reality; which embodies the play’s significance as Shakespeare’s farewell to the theatrical world.
Three of the main characters in this play are Prospero, Ariel and Caliban; these characters can be interpreted to represent significant roles in the theatre which are the roles of playwright, stagehand and actor. Prospero is the protagonist and both Caliban and Ariel are his servants. However, there is a stark difference in the relationship dynamics between the two servants and Prospero. Prospero’s magic is referred to as his art throughout the play by Miranda, “If by your art” (I.ii.1), by Caliban, “his art is of such power” (I.ii.374), and even by Prospero, “By my so potent art” (V.i.50). This reference reveals Prospero’s character as an artist rather than a sorcerer, this...
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... / Since I have my dukedom got” (Epilogue.1, 6). He asks the audience to reaffirm his achievements so he may retire content with his work, “But release me from my bands / With the help of your good hands” (Epilogue.8, 9). Reading this play on a figurative level it is clear that The Tempest was intended to be Shakespeare’s final play.
Shakespeare uses an allegorical narrative to write about the art of theatre. He uses the characters to represent different aspects of the theatre, while also using language and scenes to remind the audience that they are watching a play. This play demonstrates the blurring and sharpening of the border between art and reality. Shakespeare uses his art to reflect reality through various lenses, while reflecting his art as well. This self-reflexive play was the ideal outlet for Shakespeare to bid farewell to play writing and the theatre.
“The Tempest” is a play written by William Shakespeare in early 1600s that has been previewed in different kinds of movies, such as the one made in 2010, directed by Julie Taymor. It is a play containing themes such as; revenge, allusion, retribution, forgiveness, power, love and hatred. When it is compared to the play, there are specific differences seen in the movie, such as; Prospero is reflected as a woman in the movie. The time differences between the play and the movie and how the spirit Ariel is shown as a white man in the movie. The play starts with the story of Prospero, the Duke of Milan. He gets banished from Italy and was cast to sea by his brother Antonio. He has perfected his skills during twelve years of exile on a lonely island. Prospero creates the tempest to make his enemies’ ship to wreck and lead them to the island. Meanwhile, Antonio takes Prospero’s place and starts to make everyone believe he is the duke and makes an agreement with the King of Naples, Alonso. Besides the drama happening in the island, Prospero forgives Alonso and the others.
Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Greenblatt, Stephen. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Inc., 1997.
The fact that Shakespeare was enveloped by a society steeped in Christian ideals cannot be disputed. Plays such as the Tempest make this fact known. The main plot and the subplots of the Tempest can be extracted directly from the Bible. Prospero's character is largely the same as the god found in Christianity. Shakespeare wrote the Tempest with the portrayal of a Christian god and Christian motifs in mind. Consider the following facts as evidence. Both works begin with gods who possess power in the forms of words or books, and both gods use the written power to create. The power of the gods is mainly "white magic", a magic which attempts to bring about a good end. The creations later become a facet for manipulation for the creators' magic. The repressed creations rebel, causing the gods to become vengeful. After remorse caused from the rage, the gods sit back and give subjects control of their lives. This pattern is followed by both Prospero and the Christian god.
In Shakespeare’s play, "The Tempest," an underlying theme of barbarism versus civilization appears. Shakespeare creates characters that exemplify symbols of nature or nurture. The symbolism of the characters is derived from their actions. These actions show Shakespeare’s view of the uncivilized and the civilized, as well as help the reader develop his own opinion of each side.
In all of Shakespeare's plays, there is a definitive style present, a style he perfected. From his very first play (The Comedy of Errors) to his very last (The Tempest), he uses unique symbolism and descriptive poetry to express and explain the actions and events he writes about. Twelfth Night, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream are all tragicomedies that epitomise the best use of the themes and ideology that Shakespeare puts forth.
Through a historical lens, Shakespeare’s The Tempest revolves around the evolving times of England during the Tudor Dynasty in 1552-1603. During those times Queen Elizabeth I was the newly appointed ruler of England after her half-sister, the previous ruler had died. This new change was the new beginning for England. It allowed many opportunities to arise such as a new stock company, provisions for the poor, and a chance for many to explore the world with their new wealth. To thank and impress their new Queen, many set sail to conquer new lands. Similar to history, The Tempest did contained a few curious Englishmen and their king discovering new land but the exact location is unknown. At the time of Shakespeare’s
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest provides dialogue that portrays the social expectations and stereotypes imposed upon women in Elizabethan times. Even though the play has only one primary female character, Miranda, the play also includes another women; Sycorax, although she does not play as large a roll. During many scenes, the play illustrates the characteristics that represent the ideal woman within Elizabethan society. These characteristics support the fact that men considered women as a mere object that they had the luxury of owning and were nowhere near equal to them. Feminists can interpret the play as a depiction of the sexist treatment of women and would disagree with many of the characteristics and expectations that make Miranda the ideal woman. From this perspective, The Tempest can be used to objectify the common expectations and treatment of women within the 16th and 17th Centuries and compare and contrast to those of today.
The Tempest is a play that serves as a window into what it was like during the Age of Exploration as well as what encounters between the old and new world were like. Through Shakespeare’s characters it is evident what interactions between Europeans and natives were like during this time, as well as what society thought of such experiences.
Shakespeare has created stories that are so powerful, emotional, comedic, tragic and romantic that they are still continuously remembered and studied in the modern era. Though the essence of his talents does not lie in the simple themes behind his plays, but more so in
Ferdinand and Miranda’s type of relationship shows Shakespeare’s ideas about true love, recognising not just the emotional side of love, but the physical nature too. Miranda promises Ferdinand “The jewel in my dower” which is her virginity, a prized thing in Jacobean times. This knowledge would have been known by Shakespeare’s audience and knowing this helps us to understand Prospero’s protection of his daughter from Caliban.
Solomon, Andrew. “A Reading of the Tempest.” In Shakespeare’s Late Plays. Ed. Richard C. Tobias and Paul G. Zolbrod. Athens: Ohio UP, 1974. 232.
In the world of the Tempest, we have moved beyond tragedy. In this world Hamlet and Ophelia are happily united, the Ghost comes to life again and is reconciled with his brother, the old antagonisms are healed. Lear learns to lessen his demands on the world and to accept it with all its threats to his own ego. This is not a sentimental vision, an easily achieved resolution. It takes time--in this case sixteen years--and a measure of faith in the human community that one is prepared to hold onto in the face of urgent personal demands. This play seems to be saying that theatrical art, the magic of Prospero, can achieve what is not possible in the world of Milan, where everyone must always be on guard, because it's a Machiavellian world ruled by the realities of power and injury and there is no Ariel to serve us with the power of illusions.
...specially the island that they are inhabiting. Prospero can’t see that he has stolen any type of chance that he could be the ruler of the island. Soon enough, Caliban understands that Prospero sees him as someone to be ruled. Caliban eventually realizes that he has been cheated of ever becoming the ruler. As the consequence of his realization, Caliban turns harsh and savage-like, which only confirms Prospero’s view of him. Shakespeare brings out the harsh reality of what characters believe to be “the right way” in The Tempest. With Caliban, Shakespeare showed his audience how degrading it can be to be the person who will always be considered the “savage” even though they hadn’t had a chance to show their true potential.With Prospero, Shakespeare showed the readers that he was wronged in the beginning of the play, but his quest to prove them wrong, he wronged others.
Shakespeare, William, and Robert Woodrow Langbaum. The Tempest: With New and Updated Critical Essays and A Revised Bibliography. New York, NY, USA: Signet Classic, 1998. Print.
William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest tells a story involving unjust acts, and Caliban trying to take over Prospero’s power of authority, Prospero’s mission to was to build righteousness and honesty by returning himself to rule. The idea of justice and injustice that the play works toward seems extremely independent meanwhile the impression of the play shows the view of one character who controls the purpose and fate of others.