| Boatswain – “you may our labour: keep your/cabins: you do assist the storm” | Power/Authority.Although Boatswain is supposed to lack power/authority over Antonio and Sebastian because of his low status,in contrast to their higher status; Shakespeare suggest that Boatswains is actually the one with the most power and authority in the boat, because he is in charge of the ship and the survival of everyone on the boat are dependant on him. |
| Antonio – “Hang, cur! hang, you whor son, insolent noisemaker! / We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art” | Power/Authority.Blasphemous or obscene language displays Antonio as rude,sceptical,sarcastic,and mocking. Antonio undermines Boatswain’s low status; he rather dies than submit himself to Boatswain’s authority. |
| P: “Pluck my magic garment from me…Lie there, my art” | Power/Authority.the “magic garment” is a metaphor for Prospero’s power/authority. Knowledge is power. |
| M: “What foul play had we, that we came from thence?” | Questioning make Miranda appear naive. The audience are on Miranda’s side, questioning Prospero. |
| At the end of Act 1 Scene 1 | the characters jump in water in the beginning, which foreshadows their Redemption later on. The image of water is one which symbolise the washing away/repentance of sins.Context: Perhaps, Shakespeare was influenced by the Bermuda literature in 1906. The play is unique as one of Shakespeare’s only plays that has no source in a story already told by another writer. The shipwreck of the ship “The Sea Venture” is meant to be the source of the play, with it being run aground by a storm (a tempest) near Bermuda in 1609. It is thought Shakespeare used accounts of the storm to write the opening to the play. All survived the shipwreck, which may have given Shakespeare the idea for redemption out of chaos. |
| “a tempestuous noise” | Power/authority (Benevolence/trynnical)The Tempest begins with in media res, which establishes a scene of chaos in the beginning. The chaotic scene in the boat is a reflection of lack of order and structure in society because of power struggle. Harmony. The scene of chaos at the start juxtaposed with the harmony created by Ariel’s music, an allegory of nature, in the middle.cause of power struggle.Context: |
| M : “If by your art, my dearest father, you have/Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them…Poor souls” | Miranda. Nature. Innocence/purity. Harmony. Power/authority. Selfishness. Miranda is presented to be pure, kind, naive, innocent and empathetic/sympathetic. The emotive exaggerated language of Miranda is juxtaposed with the lexical field of rationality/complexity associated with Prospero, which hyperbolises Prospero ‘s abuse of power/ selfishness / highlights Miranda’s purity/innocence/ selflessness. Miranda is an allegory of purity and nature, Shakespeare implies that nature could bring harmony and a sense of tranquillity out of the chaos men created. Alternatively, the playwright uses Miranda’s purity as a symbol to represent how she is uncorrupted by society. Context::Miranda is the only female character in the play that Shakespeare allows a voice and character development (the only other women being Claribel and Sycorax, who we never meet). Her presentation as a weak, submissive, virginal young girl embodies how women were seen and treatedMiranda is presented as a male possession- she is first Prospero’s, and then passed on to Ferdinand in marriage. This suggests that women were seen as property, objects, goods that could be traded for male benefit. |
| P: “I, thus neglecting wordly ends…Me, poor man, my library/Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties/He now thinks me incapable” | Power/authority. Selfishness. Those in power abused their power for their personal motive. Shakespeare suggest that those in power need to sacrifice their ego in for a greater cause in society. Therepetition of “me” and “my” and the use of subordinate clause highlights Prospero’s selfishness, as he prioritise his library (the bettering of his own mind) over his dukedom. Moreover, the image of “poor man” constructs a weak image of Prospero, which contrasts with the belief in the Jacobean era that a king, as the descendent from God should be strong.Context: The Divine Right of King and King James I |
| M: “Good wombs have borne bad sons” | Nature vs. nurture, the idea that everyone has the ability to be good, even characters deemed as “evil” such as Caliban” is good in a way, as shown by his “the isle is full of noises” speeches. Echoes the way Caliban is misinterpreted as a savage in the beginning. Context: Colonisation and Montaigne’s “Of Cannibal” essay.Redemption.The idea that everyone on the play has to ability to redeem themselves, foreshadows the redemption of the other characters in the play.Context: Shakespearean tragedy/comedy/romance.Alternatively,this conveys how Prospero has ingrained the patriarchal view of the 17th century into Miranda- women are identified by their ability to bear children and procreation seems to be their sole purpose |
| P: “did Antonio open / The gates of Milan, and, i’th dead of darkness” | Darkness has symbolism to evil,hell or death. Image of darkness symbolize that Antonio is traitorous for his usurpation for Prospero’s dukedom.Context: The Divine right of king,The belief that the King (or Queen if the direct descendant) is chosen by God and is only answerable to God – this is why it is such a crime that Antonio chooses to usurp Prospero. Shakespeare puts this as much on the King to act in an appropriate and selfless manner for his kingdom (as perhaps James I should), as for his subjects not to usurp or overthrow him. Later on, the comic subplot (Stephano and Trinculo) which follows the main plot of usurpation in the play. The comedy serves, as with all comedies to reinforce the key messages of the play about power and usurpation in an amusing way. |
| A:” “To swim, to dive into fire, to ride…On the curled clouds…Of sulphurous roaring into mighty Neptune”-Ariel | Repetition of the juxtaposition of fire and water constructs an image of chaos, and the lexical field of destruction is a symbolism of Prospero’s tyrannical power/authority. Power/authority. Ariel is an allegory of nature to show the way humanity, as symbolize by Prospero, is trying to control everything on Earth, through colonisation. Context: Aristotle’s unity of time, and English colonisation in the 1600s. |
| A: “Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,/Let me remember thou what thou has promised” | Questioning reflects that Ariel is at a lower authority than Prospero. Aware that it is working and is sacrificing for his liberty for a greater cause in society. Power, Sacrifice. |
| P: “If thou more murmur’st, I will rend an oak/And peg thee in his knotty entrails” | Power/authority. Sacrifice. Shakespeare employs irony, as Prospero reminds Ariel’s imprisonment under Sycorax, whilst he threatens to imprison him. Ariel does not appear to be free, however, it can be interpreted that Ariel is imprisoning/ sacrificing itself, intentionally in order for a greater cause in society. Context: James I/ The King’s men. |
| P: “Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself/Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!” | Lexical field of violence, and hell/evil, which dehumanise and devises a savage and uncivilised image of Caliban, before he even speaks. However, this is juxtaposed with the civilised image of Caliban later on in the play, when he gives the “the isle of fill of noises” speech. Caliban’s use of complex and sosphicated language and iambic pentameter, which is similar to Prospero, suggest that Caliban is actually civilised.Caliban is a metaphor for Prospero’s baseness. There is an indication that Caliban can nurtured to be civilised, like Prospero, if Prospero did not abused his power for tranny.Nature vs nurture. Power/authority.Context:Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.) |
| C: “This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother…Which first was mine own king” | usurpation. Ironic that Prospero usurp Caliban, in similar ways Prospero was usurped by his traitorous brother, Antonio. |
| C: “You taught me language; and my profit on’t/Is, I know how to curse” | Nature vs nurture. Power/authority. “Language” is a symbolism of civilisation, and magnifies Prospero’s attempt to civilise Caliban. Prospero is a symbol of the Western colonists that impose their will on the native population of the new world. “profit” has connotation to money and capitalistic values, which were western ideologies brought to the new world. The English colonists abused their power (tyrannical power) and exploit the local native population in the America, to find wealth (gold mines). The native’s ignorance about money make them appear uncivilised, however, Caliban’s use of eloquent and sosphicated language later on,similar to Prospero, suggest that Caliban is actually civilised, or has the ability to be civilised. There is an indication that Caliban can nurtured by Prospero to be civilised, like Miranda who is the foil to Caliban, if Prospero did not abused his power towards Caliban. Alternatively, Caliban can be intepreted as the baseness in Prospero and in humanity.Context: Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s..Written in French, but translated at the time, Montaigne’s essay talked about a cannibal tribe in Brazil which he studied. Montaigne describes the cannibalism of the tribe eating the dead bodies of their enemies as part of ceremonies. It is thought this influenced the way that Shakespeare chose to portray Caliban (almost an anagram of cannibal), although Shakespeare does not see Caliban as savage and uncivilised like Montaigne, instead presenting him as misrepresented. The early 1600s saw the beginnings of English colonialism of the Americas in particular, with people such as John Smith (you will know from Pocahontas). People from tribes in the Americas were brought back to England to be shown for interest and amused, where people would pay to come and look. Shakespeare is exploring his thoughts on the idea of imposing our will on other civilisations in this play, as well as exploring the idea of the savage and whether this is something to do with perspective with Caliban. i.e who is more savage, Caliban or Antonio (we have ills in our own society too, so we shouldn’t be too quick to judge others. Links to Gonzalo’s I’th commonwealth speech) |
| A: “Full fathom five thy father lies; /Of his bones are coral made/Those are pearls that were his eyes” | Harmony. Power/authority. Alliterative phrase is lyrical and rhythmic like music which creates a sense of peace, tranquillity, and harmony which is juxtaposed with the image of chaos in the beginning “tempestuous storm”. Juxtaposition between what is said (death) and how it is presented (beauty) to signal that beauty comes from something tragic. “Pearls” and “coral” have connotation to beauty and wealth, which symbolise the way good can come from bad. Shakespeare suggests that power for benevolence means, can create peace and harmony, out of chaos. Alternatively, Shakespeare suggests music, art, literature creates a sense of peace and harmony in society, and it is Ironic that Shakespeare is using this to promote his own work. |
| M: “I might call him/ A thing divine, for nothing natural/I ever saw so noble” | Harmony. Lexical field of divinity, the elevated language Miranda and Ferdinand used to describe each other show their mutual attraction/ compatibility. Their marriage create harmony in society (political stability as they are from different kingdoms). Context: The Divine Right of King, Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, Shakespearean romance. |
| G: “I’th commonwealth…innocent and pure/No sovereignty” | Act 2 Scene 1.Hierarchy. Caliban. Lexical field of colonisation. It can be interpreted as a critique of the English colonists who unfairly impose their cultural imperialism upon the indigenous population in the new world.Constructs an image of an anarchical society with no law/hierarchy, but it is irony that he contradict himself by presenting himself as the ruler. Gonzalo idealises the world: although theoretically, the idea of an equal society with no divide between the rich and the poor appear right, in reality, there will no order and structure, and chaos without a clear hierarchy. This might explain Sebastian and Antonio’s mockery, as they are both on the high end of the hierarchy. Gonzalo also wants to get rid of all man-products “no use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil… “, in addition to this, there would no “Treason/felony/Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine” so that there is no violence in society. He wants humanity to be closer to nature, however it is ironic that the world he idealises is one represented by Caliban, which some would interpreted as uncivilised. Advanced in technologies is what makes humanity civilised, and different from other animals.Context:Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.) |
| G: “nature should bring forth, / Of its own kind, all foison, all abundance/To feed my innocent people” | personify nature to show Gonzalo’s belief that his utopia will have no man-products. He wants humanity to be closer to nature, however it is ironic that the world he idealizes is one represented by Caliban, which some would interpreted as uncivilized. Advanced in technologies is what makes humanity civilized, and different from other animals.Context:Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s. English colonialism 1600s The early 1600s saw the beginnings of English colonialism of the Americas in particular, with people such as John Smith (you will know from Pocahontas). People from tribes in the Americas were brought back to England to be shown for interest and amused, where people would pay to come and look. Shakespeare is exploring his thoughts on the idea of imposing our will on other civilisations in this play, as well as exploring the idea of the savage and whether this is something to do with perspective with Caliban. i.e who is more savage, Caliban or Antonio (we have ills in our own society too, so we shouldn’t be too quick to judge others. Links to Gonzalo’s I’th commonwealth speech). Written in French, but translated at the time, Montaigne’s essay talked about a cannibal tribe in Brazil which he studied. Montaigne describes the cannibalism of the tribe eating the dead bodies of their enemies as part of ceremonies. It is thought this influenced the way that Shakespeare chose to portray Caliban (almost an anagram of cannibal), although Shakespeare does not see Caliban as savage and uncivilised like Montaigne, instead presenting him as misrepresented. |
| An: “My strong imagination sees a crown / Dropping upon thy head” | Usurpation. The “crown” is a metaphor for the throne. The image of the “crown”, “dropping” from the sky which is allegorical of heaven. Antonio manipulates Sebastian, by implicating that the Gods above is passing the throne to Sebastian. The downfall of all leaders is because of their playing of God. Context: The Divine Right of the King.The belief that the King (or Queen if the direct descendant) is chosen by God and is only answerable to God – this is why it is such a crime that Antonio chooses to usurp Prospero. It is for this reason that Ferdinand exists as such a naturally superior and pure character and why it is suggested that Prospero has neglected his duties. Shakespeare puts this as much on the King to act in an appropriate and selfless manner for his kingdom (as perhaps James I should), as for his subjects not to usurp or to overthrow him. |
| C: “I’ll show thee every fertile inch o’th’island/And I will kiss thy foot: I prithee, be my god” | Caliban. Allegorical of the way the native indigenous population were manipulated by the colonists, who abused their power/authority for their personal motive. The phrase “kiss thy foot” is an idiom which symbolize that Caliban is submitting himself under the authority of Trinculo and Stephano. Trinculo and Stephano offer Caliban alcohol, who is evidently addicted, and deems Trinculo and Stephano as “Gods”. The Western colonists brought alcohol, diseases such as small pox, plague which killed and wiped out significant Native population.Context: Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.) |
| F: “some kinds of baseness/ Are nobly undergone and most poor matters/Point to rich ends” | Act 3 Scene 3. Ferdinand. Juxtaposition between “baseness” which is animalistic instinct, the lowest in the Great Chain Of Being, and “nobly” to amplify that Ferdinand is prepared to lower his status in society, in order to gain Miranda’s love and create harmony in society. Sacrifice must be prepared to give up freedom and status in order to create harmony.Context: The Great Chain of Being, the divine right of king. Ferdinand is presented as naturally superior as the descendant of God, and provide example of the way James I should act. |
| M: “I am skilless of; but my modesty/The jewel in my dower” | Miranda. Love. Harmony. Jewel has connotation to beauty, rarity which implies that Miransa is beautiful and precious. This is further supported with the image of “glass” which adds to the idea of purity and innocence. This is because “glass” objects are clear and perfected, clearly illustrating to the audience that Miranda is trusting as glass is transparent, indicating an apparent lack of malevolence. He uses this to imply that it is her “modesty” that is what makes her beautiful, and attracts Ferdinard to her. |
| C: “The isle is full of noises/Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.” | Act 3 Scene 2.Harmony. Sensory language and sibilant sounds highlights Caliban’s connection to the island, as he accentuates the beauty and fertility of the island; constructs a fertile, beautiful and harmonious (the idea that music create harmony) image of the island, comparable to a utopia. Echoes Gonzalo’s commonwealth speech. However, ironic that Gonzalo does not view the island the same way as Caliban, as it bears resemblance to his utopia: one with no hierarchy, violence, no man-made products but no nature. Contrast with the way Gonzola, Sebastian and Antonio view the island as barren. Suggests that idea of what is considered a savage or civilised depends on perception. Alternatively, Shakespeare implies that Caliban is not a savage or uncivilised because he sees beauty in nature that people don’t see. Context: Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.), Blackfrairs’ theatre. |
| C: “in dreaming, / The clouds methought would open and show riches / I cried to dream again” | Caliban. The “clouds” is an allegory of heaven and association to Christianity, the fact that Caliban has a religion and higher thoughts, humanise him on the Great Chain of Being, and reinforces the idea that Caliban is civilised in his own way. Juxtaposition of Caliban’s perpection of riches vs Stephano and Trinculo’s perception of riches. Caliban’s “riches” is the island, whilst Stephano and Trinculo, allegorical to the western colonists, search for gold mines. The emotive language “I cried to dream again” humanise Caliban for the first time as he has emotions of sadness towards the usurpation of his island. Perhaps, this is to demonstrate the sadness the native population of the new world felt when the Western colonists usurped the America. Context: Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.), The Great Chain of Being. |
| A: “You are three men of sin…You fools! I and my fellows,/Are ministers of Fate” | Scene 3 Act 3.Redemption. Antonio, Sebestian and Alonso subconsciously “banished their swords”, which signals that they knew they committed a sin. Redemption is internal and come within your mind. |
| G: “their great guilt/Like poison given to work a great time after” | “poison” -deadly, which suggest that their guilt is deadly, accumulation of guilt and lack of redemptionForeshadows Redemption |
| P: “take my daughter: but/If thou dost break her virgin knot before/All sanctimonious ceremonies”-Act 4 Scene 1 | Prospero warns him not to break her virginity before marriage. Miranda is needed for political stability.Context: Princess Elizabeth’s marriage, and Christianity. |
| F: “the white cold virgin snow upon my heart/Abates the ardour of my liver” | Purity/innocence. The purity of Ferdinand’s love suppresses his sexual desire (lust). The language of cold symbolize the purity of Ferdinand’s heart. His lust (sexual desire) is frozen. Context:The belief that the King (or Queen if the direct descendant) is chosen by God and is only answerable to God. It is for this reason that Ferdinand exists as such a naturally superior and pure character. |
| Iris: “bounteous lady” “wheat” “rye” | the goddess of rainbow. Throughout the Masque, there are images and lexical fields of harvest. There is an implication of human intervention, which suggest that men have to use their power for benevolence means. |
| Juno: “Honour, riches, marriage | Fertility and prosperity of couple, their marriage (political unity) create harmony within society, |
| F: “This is a most majestic vision, and / Harmonious charmingly” | Adverb “charmingly” put emphasis on the way the masque creates harmony. The masque is a metaphor for the end of the storm (The Tempest).The masque was an element of Renaissance theatre, especially for those plays performed in court. It was rarely used by Shakespeare. Perhaps it is used in The Tempest due to the fact it was written for the King’s daughter’s (Elizabeth)wedding, as the Masque is designed to show and wish happiness and prosperity in marriage and future life. The Masque allowed those in the court to participate the dance and may have been used to please the King’s courtiers. The images in the Masque are of harvest and bounty, which reflects its design to promote prosperity in marriageThe Tempest is Shakespeare’s last and most meta-theatrical play. Prospero is a duke and a magician, but he also seems to be a dramatist. He orders Ariel into costume and praises his performance and he orders up and presumably also writes a theatrical performance in honors of Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage. Furthermore,the play follows Aristotle’s “unity of time” so attentively that the time elapsed in performance is about the same as the time represented in the play world. Timing, which is one of Prospero’s obsessions, is crucial for both effective magic and successful play-making. Alternatively, Shakespeare may have followed this structure to reinforce the theme of reality vs dream and how our transportation to the island in the play as the audience, much like the characters, allows us to learn our lessons, before being returned to society. . |
| P: “Our revels now are ended/These our actors,the great globe itself/Leave not a rack behind” | Lexical field of theatre, which the Jacobean audience would associate with the Globe Theatre; This line also keeps up the iambic pentameter; Revels denotes to “festivity, merry-making” in referring to the banished masque (Prospero is speaking to the actors as the dramatists).Context: The Tempest is the last and one of Shakespeare’s most metatheathrical play as Prospero can be represented as a duke, a magician or even a playwright even a play. Prospero’s direct address breaks the 4 wall between the performers and the audience. The word “rack,” which literally means “a wisp of smoke” is probably a pun on the “wrack,” or shipwreck, with which the play began. These puns conflate the theatre and Prospero’s island. When Prospero gives up his magic, the play will end, and the audience, like Prospero, will return to real life. No trace of the magical island will be left behind, not even of the shipwreck, for even the shipwreck was only an illusion. The play follows the 3 unity of time, so attentively that time lapse in the play to almost the same as in real-life. This further reinforces the meta-theatre effect (realiity vs dream) on the audience; our transportation to the island in the play as the audience, much like the characters, allows us to learn our lessons, before being returned to society. |
| P: “We are such stuff/As dreams are made on, and our little life/is rounded with a sleep” | The line has become famous as a metaphor for the impermanence of human life. All of our achievements “dreams”, even the world itself will eventually come to nothing. The mood is elegiac; alternatively, Shakespeare is taking on the voice of Prospero to suggest that the messages of his play will stay with the audience forever even though he quitting theatre forever. Context: Shakespeare’s last play. |
| P: “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature/Nurture can never stick” | nature vs nurture. The repetition of the noun “devil” put emphasis on the evil nature of Caliban, who cannot be nurtured to be good, despite Prospero’s attempt to civilise him. Contrast with Caliban’s argument, “you taught me language and my profit ont is to curse”, which implicate that Prospero was the tyrant one, as Caliban is a metaphor for Prospero’s baseness. Prospero still hasn’t reached Redemption.Context: Context: Colonisation (Montaigne’s “Of Cannibals “essay, cultural imperialism, and English colonialism in the 16oo’s.), The Great Chain of Being. |
| P: “Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou / Shalt have the air at freedom” | Ariel is granted her freedom. |
| P: “Yet with my nobler reason ‘gainst my fury/Do I take part: the rarer actions is/ In virtue than in vengeance” | Revenge/forgiveness. Redemption. “fury” is a metaphor for baseness. Juxtaposition between impulse and logic/rationality. Alliteration of “v” sounds suggests that “virtue” and “vengeance” is linked and that we must choose between the two. Context: Prospero is placed back on the Great Chain of Being. |
| P: “My charms I’ll break, their senses I’ll restore/And they shall be themselves” | Redemption. Shakespeare uses inversion and the repetition of “I’ll” to put the emphasis on the change that has occurred to Prospero, as he is using his power for benevolence.Context: Shakespearean tragedy,King’s James I.James I was the first king of both Scotland and England, inheriting the throne in 1603 from Queen Elizabeth, due to her lack of children. He was involved in many issues, specifically the Gunpowder plot against his life in 1606 from Guy Fawkes and his conspirators. James regularly argued with Parliament for permission to fund his own debts from the country’s money, due to his belief in the Divine Right of Kings, which may be the source from some of Shakespeare’s ideas about the selfishness of the monarchy. In one sense it has tragic elements, as Prospero, the central character has a fatal flaw (hamartia), wherein he is more obsessed with his own desires than creating harmony. However, he is able to address that by the end of the play., therefore the play is a comedy. |
| P: “this rough magic I here abjure…I’ll drown my book” | Oxymoron between rough and magic. The magic is a symbolism of Prospero’s power. The adjective “rough” implies that Prospero recognises his abuse of power. “abjure”-He is relinguishing his power away from society. “book”- source of Prospero’s power, that’s why Caliban stated that Prospero would be vurenable without his “books” to “drown”- .a way to die, which symbolise that Prospero has decided to relinquished hir power for the best. Just as death is the end of life , the relinquishment of his power has a sense of finality. drowning is a diffucult and painful process to die, which exexemflies that the relinquishment of his process was a difficult and painful proces.Perhaps, Shakespeare wrote this to subtly signal King James to be less self-indulgent by using the government’s money to fund his own debt ,and be more benevolent. and humanitarian. Context: Shakespearean tragedy, King’s James I. |
| P: “Set Caliban and his companions free/Untie the spell” | Redemption. Forgiveness vs Reconcillation. Prospero finally sets Caliban free. Arguably, Shakespeare is implicating that the English colonists in the 1600s should stop their invasion and imposition of their culture upon the native population in the new world. |
| P: “With the help of your good hands…As you from your crimes would pardon’d be/Let your indulgence set me free.” | Epilogue: Shakespeare is taking on the voice of Prospero to suggest that the messages of his play will stay with the audience forever even though he quitting theatre forever. He is asking for the audience for the permission to quit theatre, this breaks the 4th wall between the performer and the audience. The Tempest is Shakespeare’s last and most meta-theatrical play. Prospero is a duke and a magician, but he also seems to be a dramatist. He orders Ariel into costume and praises his performance and he orders up and presumably also writes a theatrical performance in honour of Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage. The play follows Aristotle’s “unity of time” so attentively that the time elapsed in performance is about the same as the time represented in the play world. Timing, which is one of Prospero’s obsessions, is crucial for both effective magic and successful play-making.Context: Aristotle’s unity of time. |
| Arguments | 1) |
| Themes | … |
| Prospero | … |
| Miranda | … |
| Ferdinard | … |
| Ariel | … |
| Caliban | … |
| Gonzalo | … |
| Alsono | … |
| Sebestain/ Antonio | … |
| Stephano/Trinculo | Allegory for the English colonists in the new world, who exploit the indegious population for gold.Comic subplot of Sebestian/Antonio, hence, it can be argued that The Tempest is a comedy. |
| Aristotole’s unity of time | … |
| English colonisation in the 1600’s | … |
| The divine right of king | … |
| The great chain of being | … |
| Montaigne’s “of cannibal” essay | … |
| King James I | … |
| Princess Elizabeth’s wedding | The marriage between Miranda and Ferdinand – the political unity and harmony the purity of their love and relationship bring is used by Shakespeare to wish blessing and prospesity to Princess Elizabeth’s wedding because the play was first performed to King James and Princess Elizabeth. The Princess would be seen as a sacrifice for a greater cause in society. |
| Elizabethan 5 Act Structure | … |
| Metatheathre | The play is a |
| Metaphor for human mind | … |
The Tempest quotes
July 6, 2019