Revenge/ forgiveness Flashcards
“the Ivy which
“the Ivy which had hid my princely trunk, / and suck’d my verdure out on’t – thou attend’st not!/” – metaphor for Ivy suggests Prospero’s helplessness. Antonio “sucked” the power out of him. This metaphoric language enhances Prospero’s emotional anger.
“they prepar’d a
“they prepar’d / a rotten carcass of a butt” – through the grotesque lexis describing the boat, Prospero reflects the torment of his experiences.
Say this were death
Prospero’s revenge is further justified by the dramatic presentation of Antonio: “say this were death that now hath seiz’d the,” – Antonio convinces Sebastian to kill Alonso.
but of your con…
“but for your conscience?” “ay, sir, where lies that?” – Antonio uses malicious rhetoric devices. There is nothing in the dramatic presentation of Antonio that makes him attractive to the audience – never speaks directly to audience. His foul character is demonstrated through his view of the Island in contrast to the optimistic gonzalo: “the ground indeed is tawny”. His feeble punning makes him further unappealing: “temperance was a delicate wench” (perverse pun).
(stage directions) and prospero…
Prospero’s vengeful torment of the conspirators is seemed as justified through the dramatic presentation during the “three men of sin” scene. The stage directions states “and prospero on the top, invisible”, placing him higher than everyone in a godlike matter, suggesting that his revenge is more a serving of divine justice. Ariel goes in the form of a harpy (echoing Virgil’s influence) but Prospero distinguishes Ariel’s “grace” as a harpy in contrast to the disgusting Virgilian prototype, directing us to the Harpy classical purpose of Divine punishment from Zeus (in the aeneid, the harpys appear after the Trojans arrive on their land and slaughter many sheep and goats) , rather than the terrifying, villainous image. Harpies being classically known as ‘the hounds of Zeus’ further gives Prospero a godlike presence as Ariel is serving him much like the Harpies.
this island’s mine
This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother, Which thou tak’st from me” - Caliban has been usurped by Prospero.
justified revenge
i had peopled
“i had peopled else This isle with Caliban” - isnt this what Prospero intended to do with Miranda? Carry on his legacy?
Thou shalt be pinch’d
“Thou shalt be pinch’d as thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging than bees that made ‘em” - Caliban is tourtured by Prospero. Prospero’s spirits “hiss me into maddness”
do not tourm…
“Do not tourment me! O!” - Caliban’s first response to Trinculo suggests the extent of torture he receives from Prospero. He is used to being hurt.
T and S from heaven quote (caliban)
“hast thou not dropped from heaven?” - cynical comedy. The presentation of Caliban later on leads the audience to sympathise with him and justifies his want of revenge. He has been so badly treated that even a drunk and a jester appear to be gods. “‘ban, ‘ban, ca-caliban has a new master - get a new man! Freedom, high-day” - he believes that a new ‘good’ master is the same as freedom. He has been forever subservient and forced to obtain a servile nature
i prithee let me bring
“I prithee let me bring thee where crabs grow, And i with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts” - His natural innocence and kindness is demonstrated through the way he treats these strangers. His more unpleasant side towards Prospero may be due to his being corrupt by Prospero’s society: “you taught me language, and my profit on’t is i know how to curse!” - Prospero raped Caliban of his innocence.
be not afeared…
“do not be afeard, the isle is full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not… “the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that when i wak’d i cried to dream again” Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears” - his lyrical, eloquent verse elevates his character and engages the audience in favour of him. He appreciates the natural beauty of the island unlike Antonio. Shakespeare intended to elevate him above meerly brutish.
i am subject to
“i am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island” - justifies his actions. For a 20th century audience we would be more aware of his tyrannical attributes. Caliban’s rebellion is placed in a rather different context to that of Antonio and Sebastien due to shakespeare’s choice of words. Prospero’s appropriation of the island and his apparent delight in continually tormenting Caliban gives good reason to categorise his as ‘tyrannical’. But in the elizabethan homily against disobediance and wilful rebellion, a tyrant is stated as being sent by God to punish the sins of the people.
full fathom
“full fathom five thy father lies, of his bones are coral made; those are pearls that was his eyes…” - In his seeking revenge, Prospero mentally manipulates Ferdinand. Gets Ariel to sing of his father’s death which is ultimately a lie. The sinister and grotesque lyrics of this song suggests the darkness of Prospero’s actions.
[aside] it goes on
[aside] “it goes on, i see, as my soul prompts it. [to ariel] Spirit, fine spirit, ill free thee within two days for this” - Prospero through his process of revenge intends to marry Miranda off to Alonso’s son in order to secure his name and position in Milan. This arranging of marriage reflects that of Claribel to the king of Tunis. The reference by gonzalo to “widow Dido” suggests a parallel between Claribels marriage to that of the ill-starred relationship of Dido and Aeneas. Prospero’s similar setting up of a political marriage for Miranda suggests the same threat of unhappiness as that of Claribel where she is now “cause to wet the grief on’t”. Prospero is willing to risk Miranda’s happiness in his pursuit for revenge.
