The Tempest Comparative Essay

The Tempest is about an ousted Duke of Milan ,Prospero, who has been living in exile on a remote island for the past twelve years with his daughter Miranda. He is a powerful magician, who happens to be the master of Ariel and Caliban, and a guy who really likes his books. When Prospero's enemies wash up on shore, he uses his black magic to seek revenge and restore himself to power. The Tempest belongs to the genre of Elizabethan romance plays. It combines elements of tragedy with those of romantic comedy, and like one of Shakespeare's plays previously, it asks deeper questions that are not completely resolved at the end. The tone that seeps into the play is one of wonder, amazement, and admiration. Mystery is still present , but the magic performed is not black and scary. The version that seems to grasp my attention more, would have to be the Utah Valley University interpretation because it takes Shakespeare’s main purpose and tone but shows it in its own unique way. Furthermore, with its silly drunkards, the play has a certain lightness to it and even the so called killers of the King tell hilarious jokes and are lighthearted. But there is also the tone of revenge and reconciliation in the play. We feel a revenge burning in Prospero while, at the same time, a wish for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who have wronged him.

“To discover is to gain sight or knowledge of something.” How have ideas about discovery been shown in Away and The Book Thief

The term ‘discovery’ can be explored and interpreted in many different ways, the meaning is created by an individual’s perception, opinion and experiences of discovery. In the book Swallow the Air by Tara June Winch and the film, Titanic by James Cameron explores the concept of discovery as an idea that discoveries can be challenging as they allow for the transformation of an individual’s perspective, and they allow for an individual to discover their true identity and the identity of others around them.

The concept "knowledge is power" is reaffirmed through Prospero’s character. As long as he has his books he has knowledge and thus power. Prospero uses his knowledge to attain reason and consequently power. The play begins with his creation of a storm, giving him the ability to initiate and control problems. Using his knowledge as a catalyst for power David L. Hirst argues, “From the extension of reason, Prospero derives a power which he uses in an attempt to influence everyone on the island” (9). To Miranda, he is the strong protective father, who educates; to Caliban he represents the colonizer. Prospero describes Caliban as “a poisonous slave got by the devil himself” (1.2 323-324) who serves as his oppressed slave. To Ariel he represents the rescuer and constantly reminds her that it was he who freed him, yet he fails to grant the very liberty from which he saved. To the shipwrecked “he is a surrogate providence who corrects errant aristocrats and punishes plebeian revolt” (Brown 59). Recognizing themselves as subjects to Prospero validates Prospero’s position as governor.

In this motif tracing, I argue that the epithet “monster” is used as an agent of othering, a way to remove Caliban from the other characters and depict him as something other than human. In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Caliban’s name is only said eight times, while he is addressed as “monster” the rest of the 34 times he is spoken to. This motif is used to belittle and dehumanize a unique character that plays an essential role in the plot. Shakespeare’s use of this epithet combined with Caliban’s servile role, restraint of his speech to simple diction, and portrayal as an insurgent, causes the uncultured native to be born. This plays into the 16th century view of the native: one who is there to serve the more sophisticated, knowledgeable masters.

A discovery can be orchestrated by circumstances or by people but what is made of a discovery is up to the individual and it is what they make of it that determines how much their perspectives of themselves and the world change. This is seen through Prospero’s characterisation in The Tempest by William Shakespeare and in the short story “Thomas Awkner Floats” by Tim Winton.

The Tempest, often regarded as Shakespeare’s last play, displaces the theme of possession of control and command over other, commonly known as power. Ariel, Caliban and the courtiers from Milan, all demonstrate different levels of control. Prospero, the protagonist of the play, especially displays his ability to cast influence and affect others psychologically. The characters, their relationships and their use of power can be compared to the English government and society of the 17th Century.

In the context of this paper I intend to argue that within the setting of the play Prospero does possess magic and uses it much throughout

Prospero stands for the dominant part in his relationship with Caliban and his allusions to him are most the time is contemptuous. Prospero describes Caliban as:

control of her as well. He can control her every move and put her to

“The Tempest” is a Shakespearean play that takes play on a desert island somewhere between Tunis and Naples. A hazardous storm appears impacting a ship of European nobles and mariners; on board are Alonso, King of Naples, Gonzalo, Boatswain, Trinculo, Stefano, Antonio, Sebastian, and Ferdinand. The nobles are leaving Tunis, Africa after the wedding of Claribel, daughter of the King of Naples to the prince. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan uses his sorcery to conjure the very storm that bombards the nobles in order to bring them to the island. Frey interjects, “In 1808, Edmond Malone argued that Shakespeare derived the title and some of the play’s incidents from accounts of a storm and shipwreck experienced by Sir Thomas Gates and other Jamestown colonists on the Bermuda islands in 1609” (Frey 29).The play entails the romance of Ferdinand, Alonso’s son and Miranda, Prospero’s daughter; while also detailing a twelve year power struggle that is resurfacing itself in a treacherous plot for power. In comparison to the New World’s politics, “The Tempest” can be read as a play that deals with these same political issues: rebellion of constituted authorities, colonization of a new land, dehumanizing of the natives, marriages and romances of royalty, masters and servants, Christian virtues, and visions of a utopia.

Caliban’s concession of Prospero’s ultimate power as master evidences the way in which slavery has so effectively conditioned his thoughts and behavior into continually being those of a subordinate being. Caliban’s lifestyle has been one

Although I believe the theatrical performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” held to a higher standard, the cinematic version holds its own unique characteristics. In the movie, they offered contrasting theatrical and artistic concepts through cross-gender casting, acting styles, and special effects.

Discoveries are an intricate concept, which are influenced by many interconnected elements showing the significance of an individual’s experience of confronting and provocative discoveries to affirm or challenge assumptions and beliefs about aspects of human experience. Through physical and mental exploration, the ability to recognise the importance of discoveries is the underlying factor that determines the individual’s ability to positively or negatively transform and come to a new perspective of themselves and those around them. This notion is indicative in William Shakespeare’s 1611 tragicomedy “The Tempest”, Siegfried Sassoon’s 1918 collection of war poetry “Counter-Attack and Other Poems” and Caravaggio’s 1602 painting “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas.” All three demonstrate the experience of confronting and provocative discoveries that involve the potential to affirm or challenge assumptions and beliefs about aspects of human experience, and the ultimate implications of these discoveries on the characters.

“The beauty of literature allows readers to see things through other people’s eyes. All good books do this” Sandra Cisneros’ observation demonstrates how Act I of The Tempest by William Shakespeare is a very well written introduction. Shakespeare introduces the main characters using descriptive and interesting backstories so the reader fully understands the characters and what the context of the story is. Another positive component to Act I was how Shakespeare reveals the themes of betrayal and ambition early in the story. Shakespeare also creates a conflict immediately, which captivates the reader. The introduction to The Tempest allows the reader to “see through the eyes of the character“ further strengthening the fact that Act I is an excellent introduction.