Tempest
One and half scenes in, the Tempest looks like it will be an interesting play. The diction, as in any Shakespearean work, is quite dated and difficult to understand. The only prediction I have in terms of themes and motifs based on our reading in class is that there seems to be a clear separation of social classes. For example, characters are called "Master" and "Boatswain" instead of their real names. I wonder if this struggle between upper and lower classes might continue to drive the plot and lead up to The Tempest. If this is not what the tempest in the title symbolizes, I wonder what it does. Will there be a different and more significant conflict? Or will the tempest represent an internal struggle in a main character? I am excited to continue reading this play and hopefully answer my questions.
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ReplyDeleteI like the idea of "the tempest" actually representing an internal struggle within one of the main characters. Though it is difficult to decipher who the main characters are and what they are fighting against right now, it will be interesting to see how the characters become tempted by different things as the story goes on. Will temptation result in a character's ultimate demise? It would make sense, as many of Shakespeare's plays are titled for the character (in this case, thing) that brings chaos to the story (Macbeth, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet). The tempest does not seem to be a character, so the class struggle you talked about may play a large role in characters becoming tempted. Both those of lower and upper class may be tempted by luxury, making "The Tempest" a fitting name if the plot takes a turn to comment on the skewed society that values riches above all else. Especially by being reduced to their titles rather than real names, the characters symbolize the classes themselves, not having their own personality; merely representing different groups of people. So far, many of the characters seem self-centered. An internal conflict would be helpful to see how each character struggles with morality and deals with the situations they find themselves in
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ReplyDeleteI really hope this one works!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the language of this play frequently makes it difficult to understand. I often find myself spending more time trying to understand what the characters are saying than actually trying to interpret the themes of the work. However, when even the character's lines are labeled as "botswain" "captain" or "sailor" it is difficult to overlook the role class conflict plays in the play. Clearly the dynamics between characters of different classes will be stressed because of the island's magical nature. I think that the storm will come to symbolize a number of things as well. First, each character's time on the island will most likely cause some degree of change in their worldview/personality. The tempest might also symbolize the conflicting nature of Prospero, who cannot decide if he is a benevolent ruler or slave owner. The title of this work differs from many of Shakespeare's other famous plays because it does not feature the main character, so in a way I do wonder if that means that the tempest itself will become a character.