Essay on William Shakespeares The Tempest - 2363 Words

William Shakespeares The Tempest Generally acknowledged as one of Shakespeares final plays, The Tempest may be described as a romantic tragi-comedy - where love and contentment prosper despite the threatening presence of evil forces. However, beyond the almost fairy-tale like exterior lies a seemingly direct approach to a greatly topical debate at the time. This was the supposed contrast between civilised and uncivilised persons, brought to the fore as a result of recent expeditions overseas. Although pioneering voyages of discovery were not a recent commodity since the travels of Christopher Columbus, almost a century earlier, it wasnt until the early sixteen hundreds that such voyages†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, it would appear that Shakespeare was also inspired to explore the intricate relationship between natural man and civilised man as a result of a range of popular contemporary theories. Advocates of civilised man, customarily supporters of colonialism, presented natives of newly discovered land as savage, intemperate and brutal in contrast to the alleged nobility and self-control of themselves. Such a view was demonstrated by the theorist Sandy in his essay, Nature is Vile. On the other hand, contemporaries such as Rousseau and Montaigne opposed this viewpoint. Montaignes essay Des Cannibales, which discussed the value of societies unaffected by civilisation, was evidently familiar to Shakespeare who echoed the Frenchmans phrases extensively throughout the play. Hence, we can assume that foreign affairs and popular contemporary theories in the seventeenth century inspired Shakespeare to explore the notion that civilisation was superior to nature, and possibly contend this in his play. In fact, our very understanding of the play, and in particular its characters, relies upon the awareness of popular European attitudes from the seventeenth century. Shakespeare named and described his cast most particularly, as if to ensure that his audience would instantly recognise theShow MoreRelatedEssay on William Shakespeares The Tempest1420 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Tempest Consider the character of Prospero and show how he used his position to control many of the characters in the play and how his actions contribute to the dramatic effectiveness. How do his actions and the attitude of the characters to him relate to the events and thinking of Shakespeares day? In the Tempest, the character of Prospero is the protagonist. Prospero is the father of Miranda and has spent twelve years on the island Read MoreEssay on William Shakespeares The Tempest2096 Words   |  9 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Tempest Love, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a â€Å"strong affection†, a â€Å"warm attraction†, an â€Å"unselfish loyal and benevolent concern† for another. It is â€Å"to feel a passion, devotion, or tenderness† for another. Love is simple and yet so utterly complex. Love is that which has the power to build you up and when taken away has the potential to knock you down. The Tempest by William Shakespeare is a political play with a love story woven throughout it. This taleRead More Prospero in William Shakespeares The Tempest Essay1246 Words   |  5 PagesProspero in William Shakespeares The Tempest Prospero has long been read as one of Shakespeare’s most cherished and provocative protagonists. His timeless role in â€Å"The Tempest† has provided readers and critics with insights into many attributes of Shakespeare as a man, his works, and the political views that are personified in his play. The historical context of â€Å"The Tempest† is one that convincingly conveys the political views of the English people of his time, relating to the colonizationRead MoreThe Role Of Utopia In William Shakespeares The Tempest1509 Words   |  7 Pagesnovels and plays have been written about utopian and dystopian society. 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A few of the characters touched by Prospero’s actions include FerdinandRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares The Tempest Act One, Scene One626 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Tempest Act One, Scene One This scene introduces the play, and is set during on a ship during a ferocious storm. The passengers are the royal party of the King of Naples, and include the King Alonso, his brother Sebastian, the Prince Ferdinand, and the Kings counsellors, Gonzalo and Antonio. The storm, which begins the play, isnt real, but has been conjured by Prospero, a magus, to lure the passengers to his island. This storm is also representation