Thursday 28 April 2011

Imaginative Journeys in The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Imaginative Journeys in The Tempest by William Shakespeare

The Tempest by William Shakespeare develops the notions of power, control, authority and moral order through the representation of imaginative journeys. Responders must suspend their disbeliefs in order to proceed on this speculative journey. An imaginative journey that provokes exploration, challenges our thinking and advances our understanding of ourselves.
In the first scene of the play responders learned from Miranda of Prospero’s magical powers and embarked on an imaginative journey to a place of wonder and magic. Ariel and Prospero’s great Art and magic is first seen in the opening scenes, when they create a storm; a theatrical coup, in which he seeks vengeance on those who usurped him from his dukedom. He shipwrecks them, placing them on a distinctly sensory journey. It is a dramatic device used by Shakespeare to illustrate Prospero’s deceptive nature and evil intent as well as his powers of manipulation and perceived ability to control the events around him. Prospero’s magic books and cape are a symbol of his obsession to power, but also a symbol of his dangerous desire to seek revenge. However, the mock banquet scene makes it evident that Prospero only wanted them to repent and acknowledge their wrong doings. His good powers were to work on the audience and the sinner’s mind, leading them towards personal virtue. It is also to restore the corrupted society through the use of his authority; “the ordination of civility, the control of appetite, the transformation of nature and the means of Grace.”
In contrast to good powers, Antonio and Alonzo are considered villains for their past treachery and bad powers. Prospero was exiles from Milan and Antonio seized his great power through underhanded acquisitions and unnatural means. However, this undesirable exercise of power is viewed as dark because of its disruption to social and moral order. Thus both characters’ enactment of powers in order to gain authority was wrong and malevolent. The notion of bad power is also reflected when Sebastian becomes enticed by the power of Antonio’s words in convincing him of the plot to kill Alonzo and becoming King of Naples. The power of his persuasive language in causing a bad outcome to social and moral order, it reinforces Antonio’s deceitful character.
A parody of stupidity towards power exists within Stephano and Trinculo, as they have such absurd ambitions of being king of the island. However, with the “celestial liquor” they bear and their state of drunkenness, they do go on an imaginative journey thinking they were the rulers. This is also similar to Gonzalo, who is the loyal and optimistic mediator; the thoughtful male who dreams of a utopia where all are equal, harmonious and order exist. The power of the imagination gives them the opportunity to believe they were of a higher power and status, able to control nature.
Lastly, the Ariel’s creation of the mock-banquet and his appearance as an avenging harpy, exemplifies Prospero’s power and that he is the controller of the island; this also reminding the audience the sorts of power he conjures. Ariel is clearly showing a reflection of God, confronting sinners with their misdeeds and convicting them. Although, he is able to implement such powers, both Ariel and Prospero have no control over their true repentance. Alonzo does show signs of regret and sorrow but Antonio and Sebastian are still ignorant and believe they are right.

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