The Tempest by Shakespeare

Introduction

Shakespeare’s stories, comedies, and plays leave a legend in the literature. Many of the schools did not forget the importance of his works especially because the present society is endowed with the moral lessons he left. Shakespeare is one of the talented people in the early years, when there is no computer and utilizing only the quill and ink. Most of the well-beloved playwrights, poets, and writers reflect in the present works of the writers. Their past literatures became the legend of what they saw during their time.

Observing the Tempest

Most of the scholars agreed that Shakespeare explored the differences between the illusion and reality and thus he combined it and gave birth to one of his popular creations, The Tempest. The magic, the people, the islands, the city, and the power play in between illusion and reality but if literature students and other readers will observe closely, they will see that within the boundaries of the illusion, the reality comes to life that will soon reflect in present situation. The Tempest defined the unities of the time, place, and action and considered as one of his short plays. The plot of the play comprised the romance and folklore and the sequence of the action in which gave importance in the human characteristics such as cruelty, jealousy, kindness, and greed.

Cruelty - Because of the neglected duties of the Duke, Prospero was defeated over the thrown by his brother Antonio. The action seen in this scenario reflects the attempt of the brother to be on thrown and lead the Milan. While on the other hand, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, were outcast and brought to a very mysterious land that is beyond their knowledge. Prospero also shows his own side of cruelty but forgets it afterwards.

Jealousy - Jealousy appears on the back of Antonio, he wants to overthrown his brother and led the city with his own hands. Jealousy is a dangerous mental cancer that makes the people hungry for power.

Kindness - After Prospero and, with his servant, Ariel conjures a magic, Antonio, who is currently sailing along with his friends and men, a great storm of tempest made their shipwreck. After the storm, Antonio learned that his brother who possesses the magical power made all the peril possible. Prospero manages to repay his brother to his cruelty, win a husband for his daughter and extends his forgiveness for his enemies. Soon, Prospero recovered the rightful place for him as a duke.

Greed - Antonio shows the sign of being greed, because he wants to have the power of the duke. But Prospero himself showed this same act because the studied and in favor more in practicing the magic.

Discussion

The Tempest is likely Shakespeare’s most poetic play, as well as his most original. While many attempts have been made to expound its “meaning,” the total impression left by the play is estrangement and reconciliation, sin and forgiveness, repentance and salvation. It shows how, in the fullness of time, a power like Divine Providence may work upon the wills and souls of sinful men to bring about their regeneration. The truest justice is not vindictive and punitive, but merciful and forgiving; and repentance is always necessary for salvation. One of Shakespeare’s last plays, The Tempest is a culmination of his life’s work with familiar situations, common motifs, and echoing themes. Audiences are immediately comfortable with The Tempest—the oft repeated relationships of ruler and subject, master and servant, father and daughter, young lover and worthy lady; its use of the transforming power of music, magic, and time; and its exploration of the nature of humanity and the disparity between illusion and reality, between the outer show and inner truth. Despite its familiarity, The Tempest is unique unto itself, a new story that also summarizes and perhaps even transcends the old ones.

Conclusion

Professional writers that came from the vast land of literature believe that their duty is to capture the interest of the readers through the use of entertainment and/or relaying information. Without either of the two, the competency of the literature will be lost. However, most of the novels that popular in the market show more on the fantasy side. It is effective to bring the students in the world that they don’t know and explore the place that is beyond imagination. But the novelists should not forget the other elements that are always important in the making a fruitful story.

References:

A Noise Within Study Guide, 2006. The Tempest by William Shakespeare. [Online] Available at: http://anoisewithin.org/docs/Tempest_SG.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010]

Pilkington, E., 2007. The Outer Show and the Inner Truth, The Tempest by William Shakespeare A Study Guide [Online] Available at: http://www.bard.org/images/educationimages/TempestGuide.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010].

Whoriskey, K., 2005. The Tempest by William Shakespeare. [Online] Available at: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/_pdf/first_folio/folio_tempest_entire.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010].