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The tempest challenging social hierarchies
The tempest challenging social hierarchies
Essay on social hierarchy in the tempest
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In The Tempest (TT) William Shakespeare creates social distinctions between the character’s in the book and then deconstructs them by placing them on an island. Shakespeare shows that social distinctions matter very little in the face of nature. Characters who realize this attempt to gain power, however Prospero reestablishes order and places them back where they were before. The character’s disregard social class all throughout The Tempest due to their new setting. Now that both Antonio and Stefano are on the island, they act differently than if they were still in Naples. Antonio recognizes quickly that he is able to think without restrictions when he says; “We all were sea-swallowed, though some cast again; And by that destiny to perform an act; Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come; In yours and my discharge. (TT 2.1.287-290) Now that Antonio is removed from society, he has the freedom to act in a way which would otherwise be unthinkable back with civilization. On the island where they now reside there are no rules. Stefano also sees this thus causing him to treat others similarly, as if he is higher than them. “Trinculo, keep a …show more content…
If Stefano carried out the plot he made he would have been king of the island, however the very real evil intentions in the plot to murder Prospero seem undone once Stefano's real status is revealed. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no; man take care for himself, for all is but fortune.; Coragio, bully-monster, coragio. (5.1.310-312) Stefano, being the drunk man he is intends to say "every man for himself." However what he comes up with isn’t exactly a perfect match. Although there is supposed to be humor in that, it is actually an accurate description of societal rules, and they prioritize the welfare of the nobles above all others. Stefano is unintentionally outlining the differences between the island and the normal
Throughout the duration of the story, Antonio is constantly being pulled in different directions by his parents. His mother desperately wants his to become a priest like the first Luna’s who came to the land were. If he cannot become a priest, then she wants him to be a farmer like the men in her family are. Antonio’s father wants him to be a man of llano, not tied to the land like a farmer, but free to roam upon it as he feels. Even since his birth, his...
Prospero places the characters in different parts of the island in an attempt to illicit responses that would reveal their characters. There is suggestion that the portion of the island in which the court party is placed is rather barren and hostile. Despite Adrian's objective comments in Act II of the island as being "desert", Gonzalo in responding to the island as "here is everything advantageous to live. How lush and lusty the grass looks" reveals clearly his constant optimism and fervent belief in hope, his response is offered in contrast to Sebastian's and Antonio's response that "the ground, indeed, ...
Karl Marx once said, “Political Economy regards the proletarian ... like a horse, he must receive enough to enable him to work. It does not consider him, during the time when he is not working, as a human being. It leaves this to criminal law, doctors, religion, statistical tables, politics, and the beadle.” Marxism is a theory, which explores the political and economic ideologies that are prevalent in divided social classes. “Capitalism thrives on exploiting its labourer” () Karl Marx created this theory because he was a firm believer that the history of humanity is essentially the history of a struggle between social classes. This is to say that once the upper class becomes rich, they continue to stay rich because the labourers that work for the rich get less than their work is actually worth. They think they are working really hard towards a concrete goal, when in reality they deserve much better. Marxism as a literary theory focuses on Marx’s beliefs, and how they are integrated within a literary text. Concepts of Marxism can be found in Shakespeare’s well-known play, The Tempest. The play mainly focuses on a magician (Prospero) and his daughter Miranda, who have been living on an isolated island for the past twelve years along side Caliban, Prospero’s servant. Minor characters appear in the text as well, to serve as foils for the main characters by accentuating their character traits, as well as play a crucial role to the play’s plot. The Tempest focuses on the relationship between Caliban and Prospero, the supremacy that Prospero holds over Caliban, and explores why relationships like this often exist.
Prospero recounts his tale of woe to Miranda of being expelled from his dukedom due to the greed of his brother and his brother conspiring with the king. Prospero states, “The King Of Naples, being an enemy / To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit,” (1.2.145-146). The King of Naples recognized his power over Prospero due to his position and gave power to Antonio by furthering Antonio’s “suit”. Alonso did this not only to help his friend, but to make a subordinate out of Antonio. The power Alonso possessed by being the King of Naples enabled him to act on his greed and act immorally. Although Prospero knows how it feels to have a person of authority abuse that position, his power of Caliban becomes too much temptation and he treats Caliban terribly. In a fit of rage, while yelling at Caliban, Prospero exclaims, “Thou most lying slave / Who stripes may move, not kindness, I have used /thee/ Filth as thou art,” (1.2.412-416). Prospero is using rude language to Caliban with terms such as “filth as thou art” and calling him a liar, and even threatens to use physical violence. From his possession of power over Caliban, Prospero uses it to harm him and force him to do the chores for Prospero. Although Prospero did originally treat Caliban with kindness until Caliban attempted to force himself onto Miranda, he swung to the other extreme and is now getting revenge for it. Prospero uses his position of power and his magic to force Caliban under his will and subordinate him. The corruption caused by powers is exempt for morally just individuals such as Miranda. Miranda is able to make a new attachment due to her position of power rather than becoming isolated. She finds a husband in the person who was her subordinate, and does not abuse that position against him. Miranda is the purest and righteous
Having been usurped and wrecked on an Island Prospero and his young daughter Miranda have to settle. It is here in Prospero's past that it first clear to see where any confusion about his character may appear. As a learned and powerful man Prospero is able to take direct control of the island, he frees a trapped and tortured spirit (Ariel) and befriends the inhabitants (Caliban). Prospero 'helps' Caliban, he tries to educate him and teaches him to communicate, in exchange Caliban helps Prospero to survive on the Island. But in taking power of the Island Prospero is committing the same act that happened to him as Duke of Milan, now Prospero himself has become the usurper. In this act of goodness Prospero has unknowingly shown his evil side.
During Shakespeare's time social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to other members. Shakespeare provides an example of this rigid social structure through his play, The Tempest. Shakespeare illustrates how superior men differentiated themselves from lesser beings on the basis of race, financial status, and gender. Through the character of Prospero, Shakespeare provides and example of one, who had reason to feel superior, yet treated others equally and with the respect due to them.
Through The Tempest play, William Shakespeare weaves together a tale that is characterized by anti-colonialist sentiments. Prospero - the deposed Milan Duke - adopts a colonialist mentality by treating his colleagues as slaves who have no rights. Characters who suffer mistreatment under Prospero include: Ariel - the spirit creature; Ferdinand - the Naples Prince; and Caliban - Sycorax’s son. Prospero possesses much magical power which he uses to oppress his compatriots. Consequently, Prospero is portrayed as a colonial tyrant who abuses his immense power. Anti-colonialism feelings are especially evident through the actions, utterances and disposition and of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand and Ariel. To illustrate, Caliban berates Prospero for the former’s forced labor. Likewise, Ariel protests Prospero’s reluctance to release the former as earlier agreed. Miranda also expresses her dissatisfaction with Prospero’s unfair imprisonment of Ferdinand. Similarly, Ferdinand appears to challenge Prospero’s authority by briefly stopping dragging timber so as to flirt and chat with Miranda. The foregoing four characters exhibit conduct that highlights their displeasure with Prospero’s colonial-style authority over them. From the preceding expose, it can thus be concluded that Shakespeare’s The Tempest play is about anti-colonialism based on its depiction of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand and Ariel’s opposition to Prospero’s oppressive authority.
He takes advantage of his authority over the people and situations he encounters while wearing a facade of integrity and compassion to disguise his wily intentions and to retain love and respect. In Act I of the play, Prospero finally tells Miranda the woeful story of how she and he arrived on the island. From the beginning, Prospero plays his subjects and his sympathetic audience as pawns in his game of manipulation. He explains that twelve years ago he was the Duke of Milan, but being enthralled with his studies, he left most of the governmental responsibilities to his brother Antonio. Antonio, hungry to be "Absolute Milan" himself (1:2, p.6), proceeded to betray him with the help of King Alonso of Naples.
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was seen as his last act as a writer in England. Shakespeare released this play in the year 1611, which is also called the Renaissance period. Shakespeare is known for translating history and life experiences into his writing. During the Renaissance period many people were worried about appearance and social standards. During this time Ireland was taken the under control of England and the Irish were not seen as equals (Takaki 1). In the play there was a character that was seen as outsider and uncivilized, he was treated less than a human being and was seen as a monster.
The illusions of justice and freedom, and what they truly are, has been a reoccurring theme throughout the works. The definitions of justice and freedom have become so construed throughout the times. In William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero tries to enthrall his audience in his narrative of social justice. The idea of justice the play portrays represents one individual who controls the fate of all others. Their freedom is controlled by the interference of those around them. Although he spends most of the play righting the wrongs done to him, he is misdirecting so to hide his true motive. Prospero misconstrues the definitions of justice and freedom by enslaving Ariel and Caliban, using magic for his own good, and creating a false happy
So Antonio, the established "dose of drama", acknowledges that he is best (and most useful plot-wise) when sad, and perhaps subconsciously does what he can do to keep himself this way. And he does: by yearning for a man he can never have, digging himself into debt with Shylock (even when aware of the dangers), and dramatically lamenting, even without a good reason to. While most characters change from beginning to end, Antonio only gains in his gloom. He begins sad, and ends unfulfilled. Portia mentions briefly that his ships have returned safely, but this somewhat artificial (and all too convenient) relief is not what he wants. He wants to remain himself: to remain dejected, forlorn and inconsolable. For if he remains himself, than the play has authentic drama and emotion.
The play, The Tempest, by William Shakespeare is a very cleverly thought out piece of work. Shakespeare very deliberately inter-relates several different forms of power during the course of the play. There is political power, shown through the plethora of political characters and their schemes, while at the same time parodied by the comic characters. The power of magic and love, and its ability to reunite and absolve also plays a major role in the play. Throughout the play, Prospero, the main character, takes great advantage of his power and authority, both properly and improperly. The epiphany of this however, is realized at the end of the play.
Shakespeare was intending to represent several different groups of people in society through his plays and “The Tempest” was no exception to the rule. I aim to show how the “human” relationships in the play reflect real life relationships within Shakespeare’s own society (as well as his future audience), for which his plays were written and performed.
The Tempest was written in 1611 as Shakespeare’s last romantic comedy. This play is focused mainly on the theme of power. Shakespeare portrays an aging magician who has been living in exile with his young daughter on a remote island for the past 12 years. Shakespeare presents forms of power in different ways, but mainly through the characters of Prospero. In The Tempest Shakespeare shows 3 different types of power, which are through love, power over his slave Caliban, and power of magic.
The Tempest, like any text, is a product of its context. It is constructed in relation to moral or ethical concerns of 17th century European Jacobean society. The resolution of conflict appears 'natural' or an inevitable consequence if regarded in relation to the concerns of its context. The resolution of conflict in this play incorporates Prospero being returned to his 'rightful' or natural position as Duke of Milan, his daughter Miranda getting married to Ferdinand, and the party returning to Milan leaving the island to the 'monster', Caliban. The resolution is a consequence of the concerns of the time, including the idea of the divine right of kings, courtly love, and colonisation.