Authority Struggle in Tempest
The Tempest: Is It Series of Treacheries and Rebellions? Yes the play consists of "a series of rebellion, treacheries, mutinies and conspiracies against authority" but the overall view of the dramatic action is much more complex. Many other aspects and themes such as illusion and the supernatural (magic) also play a very important part in shaping the plot. Power struggle is evident from the beginning, way back when Prospero's brother, Antonio, seized his status as Duke of Milan and banished him to a barren place and left for dead. "In scene 2.1, pg 141, Sebastian remarks, "I remember/You did supplant your brother Prospero." And Antonio replies, "True;/ And look how well my garment sit upon me,". Antonio betrayed Prospero, and yet he feels no remorse for his treacherous act: 'I feel not/ This deity in my bosom", his conscience is not bothered by what he did to Prospero. Another sibling conspiracy in the play came in Act II when Sebastian is encouraged by Antonio to kill his bro!ther, Alonso, which would put him next in line for the throne but first, they attempted to kill Gonzalo, the Alonso's faithful advisor. Scene 2.1, pg "Draw together,/and when I rear my hand do you the like/TO fall it (the sword) on Gonzalo." Their evil plo
------------------------------------------------------------------------ wishful thinking, what he'd like to see happen in the future, not only between Miranda and Ferdinand but symbolizing reconciliation between those who wronged him, starting anew, a clean slate. According to The York Notes it is " characteristic of a mixture of improbabilities, love, magic and miraculous reconciliations ." (48). Prospero's power and magic are dominant throughout the play yet he really has no power...in the sense that his power is based on the willingness of Ariel and Caliban to comply with what he says. Ariel and Caliban give him his power...they let him rule, they are the basis of his power. "We cannot miss him. He does our fire,/ Fetch our wood, and serves in offices/ That profit us..." In these lines Prospero let's his audience know that without people like Caliban and Ariel (doing his "dirty" work) he'd have no one to rule. He needs them, because he commands nothing without them, especially seeing as how Ariel is the basis of his so-called magic! This is evident ! ity struggle is the illusion of authority, who is ultimately in charge? Illusion of authority becomes evident from the start when the boatswain speaks to the king in the storm; "What cares these roarers for the name of king?...if you c
Some common words found in the essay are:
Trinculo Stephano, Ariel Hast, Rebellions Yes, Gonzalo Alonso's, Alonso Gonzalo, Prospero Antonio, York Notes, Ariel Prospero, Ariel Caliban, Caliban Ferdinand, authority ultimately, authority ultimately charge, scene 21, illusion authority, dramatic action, ultimately charge, ariel caliban, prospero feels, york notes, ariel prospero, 21 pg, scene 21 pg,
Approximate Word count = 874
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
