Themes: Theatricality and Art
The Tempest is above all theater, a show in which Prospero presents
the audience with a series of shows. In the midst of the proceedings, Prospero
says to his actor Ariel, "Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou /
Perform'd, my Ariel, a grace it had …" (III.iii.81-82). Shakespeare's last play
is self-consciously theatrical, and as its internal author tells us, it is
evidently about the theater itself. In the sole scene of Act IV, unable to
discern what Prospero's grand plan might be, Ferdinand and Miranda ask about
his passion. Prospero addresses his prospective son-in-law:
be cheerful sir:
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
(IV.i.147-158)
This speech can be read as Shakespeare's own theatrical epitaph, signaling the end of his career as a playwright, director, and occasional actor on the Elizabethan stage. Seen in this light, the vision to which Prospero alludes is the vision that the play itself has created, the characters are actors, and the "great globe" may well be particularized as Shakespeare's own Globe Theatre.
But there is a broader light in which this passage can be read, for here, as elsewhere in Shakespeare's works, "theater" can be taken as a metaphor for "our little life" as mortal human beings.
Expert Q&A
What is the dramatic significance of the storm in Shakespeare's The Tempest? Is the title appropriate?
The storm in Shakespeare's The Tempest is dramatically significant as it symbolizes chaos and change, reflecting both the literal and emotional upheavals experienced by the characters. Prospero's magical storm sets the plot in motion, representing his desire for control and the restoration of his dukedom. The title is appropriate, capturing the play's central themes of disorder and transformation, both in the natural world and within the characters' lives.
How effectively does Shakespeare present the conflict between art and nature in The Tempest?
Shakespeare presents the conflict of art and nature in The Tempest through the figures of Prospero, representative of civilization and learning, and Caliban, the wild spirit of the island. The ambiguity of both these characters has led to this conflict becoming one of the most widely discussed aspects of the play in recent decades.
How is language used to explore themes in The Tempest?
The Tempest carries themes such as the supernatural/magical, culture, freedom, and friendship. Language plays a very significant role in the play as the characters use language to manipulate, control, confuse, or seize power. For example, Prospero uses his words and intelligence to rise above the other characters, and Caliban tries to use it against Prospero, his mentor.
The classification of Shakespeare's The Tempest as a tragicomedy
The Tempest is classified as a tragicomedy because it blends elements of both tragedy and comedy. The play features serious themes such as betrayal and revenge, but it resolves these conflicts with reconciliation and forgiveness, leading to a happy ending. The presence of comic characters and magical elements also contributes to its classification as a tragicomedy.
How do Shakespeare's The Tempest and Gaiman's Stardust reflect the idea that fantastical texts matter as they explore our hopes and dreams?
It is easy to see that fantastical texts ask questions about the hopes and dreams of the reader. However, many other texts, such as Romeo and Juliet or Pride and Prejudice, ask the same type of questions. When considering The Tempest, Stardust, and other fantastical texts, it is important to think about what magic adds to the story by making the situation more extreme, clear-cut, or archetypal.
Does literature allow a composer to reimagine observations in new ways, as seen in The Tempest and Hag-Seed?
Literature allows composers to reimagine observations, as seen in Shakespeare's The Tempest and Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed. Atwood adapts Shakespeare's work with a modern twist, shifting the focus from political machinations and colonization to the prison system. Characters and plotlines are reinterpreted, such as Felix as the new Prospero. Atwood uses modern language while echoing Shakespeare's style, showcasing how timeless themes can be adapted to reflect contemporary issues.
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