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
“light on you”
he combines the conventional form of respect with distinctly unconventional cursing- gives the “you” a sarcastic tinge
Caliban is unnatural
as he breaks the rules of hierarchy in both language and action - Tillyardian critics
the tension
between power and imagination give the play its force - David Norbrook
power through language
Prospero has power over him through language - Cicily Berry
Prospero is
“the controller, the manipulator” - Robert Wilson
the opening
Shakespeare’s opening raises ````questions about leadership and authority - N Bowen
the courtships are in the sailor’s way and useless in the situation and instead, it is the boatswain that holds power
the play shows how
power can be generated, used and abused - Bowen
Prospero’s power over Ferdinand
enslaves him - “mean task”, which he has “nobly undergone”
in addition, Prospero also controls and manipulates M and F’s relationship from “[aside]”
Caliban to Stephano
“true subject” - “kiss thy foot”
“kneel to him”
Caliban originally had the power
as he “showed thee all the qualities o’th’isle”
Prospero was once dependent on him
power of appearance
“fetch me the hat and rapier” - changes into the essential elements of aristocratic dress in order to reinforce his power as the “famous Duke of Milan”
Antonio misuses his power
“as thou got’st Milan, I’ll come by Naples”
“supplant your brother Prospero”
“what a sleep were this for your advancement”
control over Miranda
“thou art inclined to sleep”
Prospero’s control over nature
“wild waters”
“pour down stinking pitch”
“thunder and lightning”
Caliban must
“obey” as Prospero’s “art is of such power”
