In Marjorie Garber's book "Shakespeare After All" she states that The Tempest is address by the modern critics in two important perspectives. They are: the fable of art and creation and a colonialist allegory. "The Tempest is a story of mankind at the center of the universe "man as created and authority".
In the play Prospero is seen as the "man-the artist" or "man-the-scholar". while Ariel and Caliban represent Prospero's ethereal and matierial selves. One is airy,imaginative, and swift. The other is earthy, gross, and appetitive. Through the play Prospero's magic is seen as good/white or benevolent.
The Play was first performed in 1611 with King James present. The Tempest was performed as a part of the marriage celebration for King James's daughter Princess Elizabeth whom he was going to "lose" to Frederick, the Elector Palatine, just like Prospero "loses" his daughter Miranda To Ferdinand.
Garber, Marjorie. Shakespeare After All. New York: Anchor Books, 2004. Print.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Comedy or Tragedy
"The Tempest" is a Shakespear Comedy. A comedy according to BrainyQuote.com is "A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; -- opposed to tragedy."
I see the play as a comedy because no one dies at the end. They all get on to the ship and head off to Italy as if nothing happened. The play also had lines like "I have great comfort from this fellow. Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging!" said by Gonzalo (pg 11-12)
To determine that a man is going to die by hanging and not somthing else is a little bit of Shakespear humor.
I see the play as a comedy because no one dies at the end. They all get on to the ship and head off to Italy as if nothing happened. The play also had lines like "I have great comfort from this fellow. Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging!" said by Gonzalo (pg 11-12)
To determine that a man is going to die by hanging and not somthing else is a little bit of Shakespear humor.
"The Tempest" a Working Synopsis
The Tempest is about a man, Prospero that lost his rightful position as Duke of Milan because his brother, Antonio conspired against him with Alonso, the King of Naples. It is twelve years since then and Prospero is stuck on an island with his daughter Miranda. Until a ship comes by carrying Alonso the King of Naples, Ferdinand his son, Sebastian Alonso’s brother, Antonio Prospero’s brother, Gonzalo an honest old councillor, Stephano a drunken butler, and Trinculo a jester.
Prospero uses his spirit familiar Ariel, to conjure up the tempest and to separate the passengers among the island. Prospero’s plan is for his daughter to fall in love with Ferdinand in order to have them married as a way of revenge. It seems as though Miranda and Ferdinand were smitten on first sight. While the love blooms here, on another part of the island the others are worried about Ferdinand’s safety.
Until Ariel appears invisible and puts everyone but Sebastian and Antonio asleep and as the others “rest” Sebastian and Antonio contemplate killing everyone else. As they finally decide to take action Ariel appears and wakes Gonzalo, who shouts waking the rest of the party. Causing the two to make up an excuse and to why their swords were drawn.
The next scene contains Prospero putting Ferdinand to work but when Miranda thinks her father is asleep they begin to flirt. Miranda suggests marriage and Ferdinand agrees. Secretly Prospero wakes from the shadows happy with the development.
With his ability to influence people Ariel seems to hold all the cards. He uses his ability to influence others to want to kill Prospero and with that Prospero gains perspective. In the end they all get back on the ship and return on their journey to Italy.
Prospero uses his spirit familiar Ariel, to conjure up the tempest and to separate the passengers among the island. Prospero’s plan is for his daughter to fall in love with Ferdinand in order to have them married as a way of revenge. It seems as though Miranda and Ferdinand were smitten on first sight. While the love blooms here, on another part of the island the others are worried about Ferdinand’s safety.
Until Ariel appears invisible and puts everyone but Sebastian and Antonio asleep and as the others “rest” Sebastian and Antonio contemplate killing everyone else. As they finally decide to take action Ariel appears and wakes Gonzalo, who shouts waking the rest of the party. Causing the two to make up an excuse and to why their swords were drawn.
The next scene contains Prospero putting Ferdinand to work but when Miranda thinks her father is asleep they begin to flirt. Miranda suggests marriage and Ferdinand agrees. Secretly Prospero wakes from the shadows happy with the development.
With his ability to influence people Ariel seems to hold all the cards. He uses his ability to influence others to want to kill Prospero and with that Prospero gains perspective. In the end they all get back on the ship and return on their journey to Italy.
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