The Nature Of Discovery In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'

Explain how Ariel and Caliban serve as character foils for each other. Be sure to consider their physical appearance and their roles as servants to Prospero.

Discovery is the act of detecting something new, or something old that had been unrecognised as meaningful. The nature of discovery allows an individual a new perspective and view of themselves, others, and the wider world. In The Tempest, William Shakespeare reveals how discovery can lead to a new-found identity, position and view on society. Whilst, in The Eagleman Stag, composer Michael Please reveals how a discovery allow a change in perception of themselves and relationship with others. Regarding both texts, it can be said, from the discovery of the truth, the individual is given the opportunity of a new perspective of themselves, others, and the wider world.

The process of discovery occurs when individual encounter challenges or problems and through the experiences of adversity they acquire their real identity. Jane Harrison’s play, Rainbow’s End, June Winch’s novel, Swallow the air, and the carton Seashell, by Michael Leunig are the three texts exemplifies how the process of discovery can be confronting and provocative and leads to transformation.

In the grand scheme of things, it seems quite odd that the vast majority of people have decided it is important to perform, study, and read plays written by a man who has been dead for over four hundred years. This of course, refers to William Shakespeare. For many people, the mention of his name brings up a faded memorized line or two from high school, but his impact on the world stretches farther than the perimeters of a classroom. Shakespeare revolutionized the English language to the point where half the time people are blissfully unaware of the fact they are quoting him. Whenever someone says, “What a sorry sight,” or, “I’m tongue tied”, they are not only empirically unoriginal, they are spouting Shakespeare.

Known for producing the world’s most well-known explorer and colonizer, Christopher Columbus, Italy was no stranger to the concept of slavery which was unjustly propagated unto the natives of the island by Prospero in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest (1603) and Aime Cesaire’s A Tempest (1969). Just as the European culture was forced unto the inhabitants of “discovered” lands, Prospero made it his duty to enforce such a standard unto the island natives. To any European in the 18th century, being black served as a diabolic symbol of a person who could not be refined but only improved by the imposition of European language and culture. With the triangular slave trade already in effect, one must not be surprised at the objective of Prospero as he became blinded by power and authority.

  The Tempest is generally considered to be Shakespeare's last sole-authored play. The play draws a number of oppositions, some of which it dramatises, and some of which it only implies. Prospero, a figure exhibiting many resemblances to the Elizabethan idea of the 'Mage', (of whom the best known is probably Dr. John Dee), is opposed to both his corrupt brother, usurper of his role as Duke of Milan, and to Sycorax, an evil witch and mother of the 'deformed slave' Caliban. Sycorax does not enter the action of the play, having died before it opens, but enough is made of her evil disposition and behaviour to show Prospero as a model of human virtue in comparison. This despite Prospero's own use of magic to

The Gods' Effect on 'The Tempest' The Gods which are present in The Tempest: God him/herself,Juno,Ceres,Iris Juno Zeus's wife and sister. The protector of marriage and married woman were her peculiar care. Punishes women who fell in love with Zeus, even if they were under Zeus's spell. Presented as 'unattractive' by poets, writers etc. Ceres Sister of Zeus and Juno, Goddess of agriculture, fertility and motherly relationships.

Is “The Tempest” Shakespeare’s last work, and if so, why did he stop here? But first I am going to guess that “The Tempest” is not Shakespeare ’s farewell to the stage. Most people that know about Shakespeare and the “The Tempest” think that it is his last work. But in my case I don’t.

    "Negritude, originally a literary and ideological movement of French-speaking black intellectuals, reflects an important and comprehensive reaction to the colonial situation of European colonization" (Carlberg).  This movement, which influenced Africans as well as blacks around the world, specifically rejects the political, social, and moral domination of the West.   Leopold Senghor, Leon Damas, and Aime Cesaire are the three pioneers of the revolution.  The founder who expresses his ideas more broadly, though, is Cesaire, who uses literary works to express his viewpoint on colonization.  An excellent example of such a tactic is his play, A Tempest, which is a revision of

     Shakespeare’s enchanted island in The Tempest is a restorative pastoral setting, a place where ‘no man was his own’ and a place that offers endless possibilities to the people that arrive on it’s shores. Although the actual location of the island is not known, the worlds of Seneca aptly describe it’s significance to the play – it represents the ‘bounds of things, the remotest shores of the world’. On the boundary of reality, the island partakes of both the natural and supernatural both the imaginative and the real. It allows the exploration of both man’s potential and his limitations, his capacity for reform through art and his affinity for political and social realities. It is constructing

A few summers ago we hosted two Japanese students for 11 days. One afternoon a violent storm came up; we unplugged appliances and from our living room watched the lightning and listened to the loud, almost instantaneous thunder. One of the students, unaccustomed to thunder storms, was terrified; he clapped his hands against his head and appeared ready to dive under the table in spite of our attempts to reassure him.

Discoveries can lead to new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others. Composers utilize the impactful discoveries of characters to act as catalysts for the audience to discover, that is that new considerations of the human condition & mankind can be derived

It is through challenging circumstances and experiences of loss that transformative discoveries are made, often provoking a change in mindset and significantly impacting upon a person or a whole. Whilst these challenges can be negative, confronting circumstances can also lead to a positive transformation. William Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1610) and Nando Parado's autobiographical recount Miracle in the Andes (2006) explore the notion of transformative discovery particularly as a result of difficult and confronting circumstances, which prompt us to asses both our identity and the power of love and forgiveness to reshape our mindset.

Experiences encompassed in times of struggle can lead to a new transformative perspective of one’s relationship with self and the world. William Shakespeare’s last play “The Tempest” (1610), canvasses loss catalysing rediscovering the importance of life resulting in a greater understanding of how our flaws compromise our humanity. Prospero, the usurped Duke of Milan, shows this to be true, moving from a mindset focused on vengeance to a profound discovery of self. Similarly, in “Man’s Search for Meaning” (1946), fulfillment with discovering how we choose to cope and find meaning/purpose in life through unrelenting struggle is illustrated. The three-part non-fiction told by psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl, depicts his ordeal inside of concentration camps during the Second World War, elaborating on finding true meaning in life even under the most horrific circumstances. Frankl shares his process of discovery demonstrating his ability to overcome the most overwhelming experience leading to doorway of meaning, purpose and happiness.

William Shakespeare is perhaps the greatest literary writer of all time. His works are still being studied, read and performed today. Dramatist Ben Johnson was correct in stating that Shakespeare “was not of an age but for all time.” Shakespeare’s The Tempest demonstrates the timelessness of human nature and that the lessons portrayed in his play appeal to the reader, no matter the timeframe. These lessons are revealed through the themes of freedom, forgiveness and power. All individuals desire freedom.