Power and Authority Flashcards
by province
“by province divine”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
Godlike connotations. Takes authority like King James assumes authority through the divine right of kings. Hubris characteristics.
“me, poor man
“me, poor man, my library was dukedom large enough”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
self-absorbed in his “art”. neglected public responsibility. lost respect from antonio and seb because of this: “of temporal royalties he thinks me now incapable” - undervalued brother’s ambition for political power.
“rapt in
rapt in secret studies
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
instead of for filling his role as head of Milanese state. weakness in public office could result in rebellion. not surprising that he was replaced. with public power comes responsibility.
“‘my drunken
“my drunken butler”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
Stephanto comically overvalues his own worth by assuming the role of master to Caliban and Trinculo. He is ‘drunk’ with a false sense of power and authority.
“this island’s mine
this island’s mine by sycorax my mother
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
Caliban does not recognise the legitimacy of Prospero’s authority. resents being commanded by him. P power and authority over C faults due to his undervaluing of him. P does not recognise Caliban;s eloquence or appreciate the need of him to survive.
“i have such
“i have such provision in mine art”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
from beginning of play, P’s power is established so much so that he feels confident to boast about it. Reassures Miranda that he is the absolute master of the shipwreck.
“dost thou attend
“Dost thou attend me?” / “sir, most heedfully”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
This dialogue shows Prospero on edge. we see his inner agitation. Shakespeare’s use of stichomythia shows how wrong p is in thinking M isn’t listening, due to her completing his iambic line.
” i would by contraries execute all things,
” i would by contraries execute all things, for no kind of traffic would i admit; no name of magistrate; letters should not be known ; riches, poverty.. no use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil; no occupation, all men idle, all, and women too, but innocent and pure; no sovereignty”
Over valuing yourself, and undervaluing another
Gonzalo’s commonwealth. he overvalues himself as king of the else. too much trust in human nature - he over values mans character to think there could be such a harmony, and thus he is not qualified for the role of such authority over the isle.
Magic
Magic garment
Power as an idealogical illusion
garment and books are idealogical symbols used by Shakespeare to assert power. Prospero’s power of isle lies through these symbols. only when M [helps him disrobe] do we see prosperous more human, vulnerable side as he tells his tale of brotherly betrayal
“having first seized his book
having first seized his books…remember first to possess his books; for without them he is but a sot, as i am, nor hath not one spirit to command - they all do hate him as rottenly as i. Burn but his books”
Power as an idealogical illusion
Caliban shows awareness to the function of the books being an instrument of power.
“i’ll swear upon
“ill swear upon thy bottle to be thy subject”
Power as an idealogical illusion
In order to escape P’s power, Caliban must find an idealogical symbol surrogate (S’s bottle). is this satire of the European hierarchal system?
“i must obey
“i must obey, his art is of such power”
Power as an idealogical illusion
Prospero’s art, not actually him. P authority over Caliban is only due to the magic. Not true authority.
” i would by contraries execute all things
” i would by contraries execute all things, for no kind of traffic would i admit; no name of magistrate; letters should not be known ; riches, poverty.. no use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil; no occupation, all men idle, all, and women too, but innocent and pure; no sovereignty”
Power as an idealogical illusion
Gonzalo’s utopia is inconsistent. Idealistic image. he is not reasoning.
By mine
Prospero presented masque “by mine art”
Power as an idealogical illusion
Prospero is so deluded by power of his magic that he forgets the reality of the pot against his life. he was too absorbed in “the baseless fabric of this vision” (his magical power). Link to shakespeare power as a writer “the great globe itself”
“now my charms are
“now my charms are all ‘erthrown, and what strength i have’s mine own”
Power as an idealogical illusion
Prospero is leaving the illusion of his magic and entering reality. His isle was his Utopia. Utopia can mean “no place” - he held a false sense of authority on this idealistic isle.
