Making A Discovery In William Shakespeare's The Tempest

To make a discovery is confronting, but transformative.

Everyone encounters the notion of discovery, however, those that confront previous philosophies result in the most humbling reflections and transformations. Confronting discoveries in both the physical and abstract spectrum lead individuals to re-assess their values and who they are as a person. William Shakespeare’s play, ‘The Tempest’ (1611); follows a group of stranded individuals who, as a result of their shared experiences with the abuse of power, rediscover the necessity for compassion and the need for revalued relations. Ang Lee’s film, ‘Life of Pi’, dictates the self-discovery of the protagonist, Pi, as he embarks on an unexpected journey of personal growth and changing values.

It’s not the discovery one makes that shapes its worth, rather the way in which their perspective and values change as a result. Whilst Prospero is calling the storm that sinks his enemy’s ship in The Tempest, Miranda exclaims “If by your art…you have / Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them”. The imagery used and connotations of “allay” convey Miranda’s reaction to the discovery of her father’s power and the penned up anger within. With this discovery in mind, Miranda undergoes a change in values; specifically her undying loyalty to her father as the situation positions her to side against him. This highlights how new contexts and situations can stimulate discovery, as well as encourage one to engage and adapt their values. At the time Shakespeare’s plays were being written and performed, England was an emerging global superpower, focused on expanding its borders. Colonialism and the philosophy behind it are explored by Shakespeare through Prospero and Caliban’s relationship; that of a European colonizer and a native inhabitant. Prospero believes Caliban should be grateful towards him for assuming rulership of the island and educating him, raising Caliban above his ‘savagery’; “A thing most brutish, I endowed thy purpose”. The dramatic irony of this statement expresses the ignorance of Prospero’s attitude towards Caliban. The audiences knows that in reality, Caliban feels that his rulership has been stolen and soon realises Prospero views him as an inferior. Similar to Prospero on the island, in Life of Pi, Pi finds himself stranded on a small boat with only a Bengal tiger, Richard Parker as company. Bereft of any human companionship and facing the harsh reality around him, Pi discovers what he believes to be his lowest point in life. The morning after the storm and shipwreck, a wide shot depicts Pi drifting across the clear ocean, before fading into another, almost identical shot with