Mod A-Textual Conversations Flashcards
The Tempest
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
Act 4, Scene 1 is part of Prospero’s speech to Ferdinand
Through Prospero in Act 4, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” employs metaphor and alliteration to reflect on the ephemeral nature of human existence. The metaphor comparing life to a dream suggests that human experiences are insubstantial and fleeting, much like dreams. The alliteration in “little life” and “rounded with a sleep” emphasizes the brevity and finality of life, reinforcing the transient nature of human existence. The effect of these literary devices is to evoke a contemplative and philosophical tone, as Prospero meditates on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. The theme highlighted by this quote is the transience of life and the illusory nature of human endeavors. Prospero’s reflection underscores the play’s exploration of reality versus illusion and the fleeting nature of power and ambition, inviting the audience to consider the ultimate futility of worldly pursuits.
Transience of Life, Illusion vs. Reality
The Tempest
“The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance.”
Prospero Act 5 S1
He uses antithesis and alliteration to reflect on the nature of mercy and forgiveness over revenge. The antithesis contrasts “virtue” with “vengeance,” highlighting the moral superiority and difficulty of choosing forgiveness over retribution. The alliteration of “rarer” and “revenge” emphasizes the uncommon and noble nature of virtuous actions.
This moment underscores the theme of redemption and the transformative power of mercy. Prospero’s realization marks a pivotal shift from his earlier desire for revenge to a recognition of the higher moral ground in showing compassion and forgiveness. The theme is illustrated through Prospero’s internal conflict and ultimate choice, suggesting that true strength and nobility lie in the capacity for mercy, rather than the pursuit of vengeance.
Forgiveness and Redemption, Moral Integrity
“This thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine.”
Act 5, Scene 1
The quote by Prospero employs metaphor and possessive pronoun to signify Prospero’s acceptance of responsibility for Caliban. The metaphor “thing of darkness” symbolizes the evil and corrupt aspects of Caliban, while the possessive pronoun “mine” indicates Prospero’s ownership and accountability for him.
This moment emphasizes the theme of responsibility and redemption. Prospero’s acknowledgment of Caliban reflects his acceptance of his own darker impulses and the consequences of his actions. It underscores a key aspect of Prospero’s character development, moving from denial and blame to acceptance and responsibility. The theme highlighted is the complex relationship between colonizer and colonized, and the recognition that the oppressor must take responsibility for the harm inflicted on the oppressed. This acknowledgment is crucial for Prospero’s journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation.
Self-Realization, Acceptance of Responsibility
The Tempest
Ariel-: “ Mine would, sir, were I human.”
The quote “were I human” from Ariel in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” employs personification and juxtaposition to highlight the suffering caused by Prospero’s corruption and the human effects of accumulated power. Ariel, a non-human spirit, uses personification to express empathy, a quality typically associated with humans. This juxtaposition between Ariel’s supernatural nature and his expression of human-like compassion emphasizes Prospero’s lack of empathy despite being human. The effect of these literary devices is to underscore the moral degradation that accompanies Prospero’s unchecked power. Ariel’s capacity for empathy, contrasted with Prospero’s tyrannical behavior, critiques the corrupting influence of power and highlights the essential human qualities of mercy and compassion. The theme illuminated by this quote is the ethical responsibility of power, questioning how authority should be exercised and the impact of power on human relationships. This moment encapsulates the play’s broader commentary on the consequences of authority and the importance of humane governance.
Tempest
“I’ll Break my staff… and deeper than did ever plument sound I’‘ll drown my book”
Act 5 Scene 1
HAG-SEED
“He call me poison, a filth, a slave,/ He prison me up to make me behave,/ But I’m Hag-Seed!” – Leggs
In these quotes from “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood, colloquialism (“so awesome and superior”) and rhythmic structure (“He call me poison, a filth, a slave, / He prison me up to make me behave, / But I’m Hag-Seed!”) highlight the characters’ defiance against oppressive authority. The colloquial language emphasizes the characters’ rebellious attitude, while the rhythm enhances the emotional impact and musicality of their resistance. The themes of colonialism and postcolonialism are evident, with Prospero’s superiority and control mirroring colonial attitudes, while the characters’ defiance and self-identification as “Hag-Seed” represent postcolonial resistance and the struggle for autonomy.
Power and authority /Colonialism and Postcolonialism
HAG-SEED
“What he couldn’t have in life he might still catch sight of through his art: just a glimpse, from the corner of his eye”
Felix using art as an escape
In this quote from “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood, literary devices such as metaphor (“catch sight of through his art”) and imagery (“just a glimpse, from the corner of his eye”) are used to convey the character’s yearning and hope. The metaphor highlights the redemptive and transformative power of art, suggesting that it can provide access to unattainable desires. The imagery emphasizes the fleeting and elusive nature of these glimpses. The themes of transgression and redemption are evident, as the character seeks redemption and fulfillment through artistic expression. The theme of reality versus illusion is also present, underscoring the tension between what is real and what can only be imagined or perceived indirectly through art.
Performance and illusion/Forgiveness and Transformation
HAG-SEED
“It is real… More than real. Hyper-real. You’ll see.”-Felix describing the play, metatextuality
In this quote from “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood, the use of repetition (“real,” “more than real,” “hyper-real”) and metatextuality highlights the transformative power of art. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and depth of the play’s reality, suggesting that it transcends ordinary experiences. The metatextuality underscores the self-referential nature of the text, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Foreshadowing is also present, as Felix’s assertion that the play is “hyper-real” hints at the profound impact it will have on both the characters and the audience, preparing them for an experience that will challenge their perceptions and reveal deeper truths. The themes of illusion versus reality and the power of art are central, portraying the play as an extraordinary experience that transcends conventional boundaries.
Truth and persepective/Performance and illusion
The Tempest
“O brave new world, that has such people in’t!”
Miranda in Act 5, Scene 1
The quote by Miranda in Act 5 employs irony and exclamation to convey her naivety and wonder at seeing people from the outside world for the first time. The exclamation highlights her awe and excitement, while the irony underscores her ignorance of their true nature.
This moment highlights the theme of the role of women, particularly their innocence and idealization in a patriarchal society. Miranda’s sheltered life, guided by her father Prospero, reflects the limited agency and dependency expected of women. Her amazement at the outside world underscores her purity and the constraints placed on her, illustrating how women were viewed as passive and virtuous, often kept ignorant of the world’s complexities.
Discovery and New Beginnings, Innocence and Naivety-women
HAG-SEED
“He needed to get his Tempest back… his Miranda must be released from her glass coffin; she must be given a life”
In this quote from “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood, the use of metaphor (“glass coffin”) and allusion (reference to “The Tempest”) conveys Felix’s intense desire to revive his past work and bring his lost daughter, Miranda, to life through his art. The metaphor of the “glass coffin” suggests a state of suspended animation or preservation, highlighting Felix’s longing to break free from this stasis. Allusion to Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” enriches the narrative, adding layers of meaning and connecting Felix’s personal quest to the themes of the play. Foreshadowing is present, as Felix’s determination to “get his Tempest back” hints at the transformative journey he will undertake.
The themes of grief and mortality are evident as Felix grapples with the loss of his daughter and the passage of time, seeking to overcome his sorrow through the re-creation of his play. The theme of performance and illusion is also central, as Felix uses the staging of “The Tempest” as a means to blur the lines between reality and fiction, creating an illusion that allows him to cope with his grief and attempt to bring Miranda back to life in a symbolic sense. Through the act of performance, Felix endeavors to transcend his personal pain and achieve a form of artistic and emotional redemption.
Grief and Mortality/Performance and illusion
Tempest
“I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, i’ll die a maid…”
Hag-Seed
“She’s so tender-hearted, so sensitive… She shouldn’t fritter herself away on a world of illusions.”
“I must be here confined by you… On this bare island, by your spell.”
