A Deeper Understanding of the Cast

A detailed Summary of A Deeper Understanding of the Cast

When making a decision to view a movie, read a book, or indulge in a scholar's critique and perception of a work of art, what is it that drives one to make that verdict? The decision could be one based off a recommendation, however, most explore these activities in order to let their imagination flare and explore a brave new world. In William Shakespeare's play called The Tempest, so many elements are left to the imagination. It is the job of the reader to take Shakespeare's description of the setting and the characters, and completely bring them to life in one's mind. Now when one wants to look at something in depth, the individual will turn to secondary sources about the subject. These allow the audience to read between the lines, and observe details and interesting facts not apparent at first sight. This paper is about how two essays by scholars of Shakespeare (Dabydeen and Coursen) changed or altered my perception of Caliban and Prospero in The Tempest.

The first essay that I will be referencing to the play is one by David Dabydeen. It is entitled Hogarth and the Canecutter. This essay explores how William Hogarth's painting a "Scene from the Tempest" gives the reader a better u

Previous to reading any scholar's essays or viewpoints about Prospero, this is the information that came across to me about him from the play. Prospero is a very powerful man, capable of achieving unexplainable events and sequences. Prospero is central to the narrative of the Tempest. He basically single-handedly generates the plot of the play. His schemes, magic, hallucinations, and other mind altering actions all work as part of a plan to give the play a happy ending. There is much more that constitutes this unique character. Prospero is a magus or sorcerer that controls and manipulates people using his magic. He may develop a positive ending, however, there is a dark side to him. He torments characters like Caliban when they disrespect his commands. Prospero shouts, "For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps, Side - stitches that shall pen they breath up" (Act1, Scene2, ln.331). Prospero is mean and vulgar when he doesn't get his way. I was about to find out that everyone does not see Prospero to be a nasty person. Coursen's essay gave me a positive, alternative perspective on Prospero, while also adding insight to his powers and the decisions he makes.

Before I read any scholar's work on or about Caliban, it was very hard for me to picture him in my head. It is very apparent that Prospero abuses this creature, and uses him as a slave. Prospero screams, "Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself upon thy wicked dam, come forth!" (Act1, Scene2, ln.323). Miranda or Prospero do not describe his features very well, and Shakespeare requires the reader to imagine this ugly slave in their head. Stephan and Tricolor describe Caliban only as a "monster" and give no real detail to his unique figure. I only obtained a few things about Caliban from reading William Shakespeare's the Tempest. He was one of the first people on the island, even before Prospero came along. Prospero made him into a slave and taught him English so that he could do as Prospero commands. Caliban is an ugly creature that is more intelligent than he appears. Yet there is so much more that lies beneath this unique character in the play. David Dabydeen's essay called Hogarth and the Canecutter brings Caliban to life in a different way, and explores Caliban's most inner thoughts.

David Dabydeen is a s

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Approximate Word count = 1566
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English