The Tempest | Criticism

  • Overviews

    In the following essay, Davidson surveys various twentieth-century critical interpretations of The Tempest, including biographical theories that view the work as an allegory of Shakespeare's life and as his farewell to the stage; thematic speculations that emphasize the prevalent theme of reconciliation; and social/political criticism.

  • Magic

    The magical atmosphere Shakespeare creates in The Tempest is one of the play's defining qualities and, according to critics, this element of magic pervades many of the primary themes in the work. While the topic allows for a wide range of interpretation, it is most often associated with the opposing forces of illusion and reality and the theme of reconciliation. The following excerts delve into these themes and motifs.

  • Order and Structure

    Perhaps the most important critical observation in regard to The Tempest's structure is that of its adherence to the classical principles of unity. The entire movement of the play is supposed to occur over the course of just a few hours—probably not much longer than the drama would actually take to perform—on or near the small tropical island that has been Prospero's and Miranda's home for the past twelve years. The following critical excerpts explore the order and structure of The Tempest.

  • Music and the Masque

    Many critics have commented that music and spectacle inform The Tempest to an extent unequalled in any of Shakespeare's earlier plays. Related to the magical atmosphere in the play, music foregrounds the work, setting its mood and reiterating many of its themes. The following excerpt by Theresa Coletti explores this theme.

  • Prospero

    While Prospero is clearly the central figure in The Tempest and orchestrates much of its action, the question of whether he should be viewed with sympathy has divided critics. The following in-depth discussion by Ian Ferguson examines the character of Prospero.

  • Ariel

    Commentary on Ariel has tended to speculate about his nature and to suggest possible sources for his original and unique characterization. The following excerpts explore the character of Ariel.

  • Caliban

    Caliban has remained one of the most compelling characters in The Tempest, and has elicited a large portion of the critical interest in the play. In the first excerpt, John Hankins searches for the origins of Caliban in accounts of primitive peoples that were available to Shakespeare. In the second excerpt, D.G. James focuses on Caliban's character and his thematic significance to the play as a whole.