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The Tempest

The Tempest is a Shakespearean romance written between 1610-1611. Its long-lasting themes make it a popular play to this day.

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When was the Tempest?

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1610-11.

Theme of the tempest?

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Theme and Motifs

The Tempest is overtly concerned with its own nature as a play, frequently drawing links between Prospero's Art and theatrical illusion. The shipwreck was a "spectacle" "performed" by Ariel; Antonio and Sebastian are "cast" in a "troop" to "act"; Miranda's eyelids are "fringed curtains". Prospero is even made to refer to the Globe Theatre when claiming the whole world is an illusion: "the great globe... shall dissolve... like this insubstantial pageant". Ariel frequently disguises himself as figures from Classical mythology, for example a nymph, a harpy and Ceres, acting as the latter in a masque and anti-masque that Prospero creates.

Early critics saw this constant allusion to the theatre as an indication that Prospero was meant to represent Shakespeare; the character's renunciation of magic thus signalling Shakespeare's farewell to the stage. This theory has fallen into disfavour; but certainly The Tempest is interested in the way that, like Prospero's "Art", the theatre can be both an immoral occupation and yet morally transformative for its audience. Magic was a controversial subject in Shakespeare's day. In Italy in 1600, Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake for his occult studies, and John Dee, an Englishman and student of supernatural phenomena, died in disgrace in 1608. Outside the Catholic world, in Protestant England, where Shakespeare wrote "The Tempest," magic was also taboo. While not emulating his great aunt, the Bloody Queen Mary, it must be remembered that King James I - under whose rule "The Tempest" was written - both had a Catholic wife and oversaw the translation of the King James Bible. Yet, not all magic was considered evil. Several scientists took what they called a more "rational" approach to the study of the supernatural, determined to discover the workings behind unusual phenomena. Henricus Cornelius Agrippa was one such scientist, who published in De Occulta Philosophia his observations of "divine" magic. Agrippa's work influenced Dr. John Dee, an Englishman. Both Agrippa and Dee describe a kind of magic similar to Prospero's-one that is based on 16th-century science, rationality, and divinity, rather than the occult. When King James took the throne, Dee found himself under attack for his beliefs, but was able to defend himself successfully by explaining the divine nature of his profession. Shakespeare is also careful to make the distinction that Prospero is a rational, and not an occultist, magician. He does this by providing a contrast to him in Sycorax. Sycorax is said to have worshiped the devil and been full of "earthy and abhored commands". She was unable to control Ariel, who was "too delicate" for such dark tasks. Prospero's rational goodness enables him to control Ariel where Sycorax can only trap him in a tree. Sycorax's magic is frequently described as destructive and terrible, where Prospero's is said to be wondrous and beautiful. Prospero seeks to set things right in his world through his magic, and once that is done, he renounces it, setting Ariel free.

In the tempest why was Alonso unhappy?

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Because in the shipwreck his only son and heir Ferdinand was lost and Alonso believes him to be dead.

What is the cultural context of the play The Tempest?

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The Tempest by William Shakespeare is about a man called Prospero the rightful Duke of Milan, has been living on a primitive island with his fifteen-year-old daughter, Miranda, for the past 12 years. This was all caused by Propero's brother Antonio claiming that he is the rightful Duke of Milan, usurping the throne and putting Prospero and Miranda out to sea in a leaky boat. On the island Prospero has the aid of Ariel, an airy spirit, and Caliban, who is the son of the former ruler of the island, the witch Syxorax.

Prospero, who is a magician, causes a tempest to attack a ship carrying Antonio, Antonio's ally Alonso the King of Naples, and Ferdinand, Alonso's son. In the shipwreck, the various passengers come ashore separately. Ferdinand falls in love with Miranda. Antonio, Alonso and the good old man Gonzalo are led in circles by hallucinations created by Ariel. A couple of drunks called Trinculo and Stephano team up with Caliban. In the end Prospero forgives Alonso and Antonio, Ferdinand and Miranda marry, and Prospero decides to leave magic behind and move on in life.

Why is the tempest special in terms of all the plays Shakespeare wrote?

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Many believe that all of his plays after the Tempest were collaborations with John Fletcher, who succeeded Shakespeare as house playwright with the King's Men.

What does caliban in the tempest look like?

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I apparently was well-wooded, as Sycorax imprisoned Ariel in a pine tree. Prospero refers to oak trees and Sebastian has a large number of logs to move which must have come from somewhere.

Trinculo talks about one part of the island having neither bush nor shrub in II ii but later in the same scene Caliban tells him he can show him where there are berry-bushes and springs.

What are examples of humor in The Tempest?

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Most of the humor in The Tempest comes from Stephano and Trinculo, the two comic relief characters. Other characters have funny moments, but those two character's main purpose is to be amusing.

Why did William Shakespeare set The Tempest in Italy?

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Because in Elizabethan times Italy was thought of as more advanced or sophisticated. Also, Italy was known (and is still known as) the country of romance. But most of all, the stories Shakespeare got his ideas from were mostly Italian stories set in Italy. He just kept the setting.

Which of the following elements would be the most likely focus of an artist who is interpreting The Tempest?

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Ariel's desire for freedom

Prospero's vengeful plans for his brother

The relationship between Prospero and Caliban

What were William Shakespeare's sources for the Tempest?

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It's not wholly clear but accounts of a shipwreck on Bermuda in 1609 are thought to have been among them.

What does the name Miranda from Shakespeare's play The Tempest mean?

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Miranda is the Spanish meaning for a lovable and in English its the meaning for Helpful

Every name has a certain meaning to some people. Miranda is no different. The name Miranda derives from Latin decent and carries the meaning of admirable and wonderful.

Which event is part of prospero and ariels plan to prevent caliban stephano and trinculo from attacking prospero?

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Prospero and Ariel send spirits disguised as a pack of dogs to chase Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo out of Prospero's cell.

How does Adrian feel about the atmosphere of the island in the tempest?

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Virtually uninhabited, except by Caliban. There are trees on it, since Caliban and Ferdinand are given the job of moving logs and firewood. It would seem to have a beach where shipwrecked people can wade ashore.

What are the differences between the tempest and Macbeth?

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Romeo and Juliet is a middle-class love story, based on the disagreements between teens and their parents. Macbeth is a psychological thriller, in which people are driven mad by the guilt flowing from a horrible crime, with some high politics and supernatural events thrown in.

How many pages does the book the tempest have?

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The Perfect Storm - book - has 227 pages.

What does caliban think of Ariel?

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Caliban calls Stephano a god, because Stephano has introduced Caliban to alcohol.

What is Prospero's age in The Tempest?

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He is a mature man, as he has a fifteen-year-old daughter who was born when he was Duke of Milan. He is often played as a very old man, as the last major Shakespearean role undertaken by a Shakespearean actor, shortly after King Lear. But he could easily be portrayed as a man in his forties. The text itself gives no indication of his exact age.