power theme Flashcards
reversal of power
the opening scene of The Tempest during the storm, when the ruling courtiers on the ship must take orders from their subjects, the sailors and the boatswain
“What cares these roarers for the name of king?”
examples
of power taken by force, and in each case these actions lead to political instability and further attempts to gain power through violence.
revenge and power
Antonio and Alonso’s overthrow of Prospero leads to Antonio and Sebastian’s plot to overthrow Alonso, just as Prospero’s overthrow and enslavement of Caliban leads Caliban to seek revenge.
cycle of violence
When Prospero breaks the cycle of violence by refusing to take revenge on Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, or Caliban the political tensions in the play are calmed and reconciled.
suggests that
compromise and compassion are more effective political tools than violence, imprisonment, or even magic.
roarers
“What cares these roarers for the name of king?”
power of language
“You taught me language, and my profit on’t
Is, I know how to curse.”
power over servants
“this thing of darkness, I
Acknowledge mine”
dukedom
“I have my dukedom got
And pardoned the deceiver”
the opening scene
conveys that social organisation depends on setting and circumstance
“full fathom five” song
in one sense the motives are very impure as Prospero, through Ariel, is using deceit for the purpose of power. It serves Prospero’s dynastic ambition - David Norbrook
in Elizabethan society
speech was governed by rules of social decorum - you had to use a properly respectful form of words when speaking to superiors
prospero and Miranda
Miranda always addresses her father as “you” and Prospero almost always uses “thou” for her
you or ye is respectful, thou or thee is to inferiors
“come, thou tortoise”
Prospero uses “thou” when addressing Caliban
he uses language as a stern reminder that Caliban is a slave - David Norbrook
“thou tak’st from me”
a Jacobean audience would have been struck by Caliban’s insubordination as he refuses to accept Prospero’s authority
