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Fear And Distractions In Shakespeare's The Tempest

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This concept of taking the power of the theatre down a more terrifying avenue is confirmed not only by the reaction of King Alonso and his company, the audience of Prospero’s miniature performance, but also when one considers the entomology behind certain quotations. Immediately after the performance, Prospero comments that his enemies are “all knit up in their distractions” which is confirmed as the members of the audience seem to wander off in confusion and despair (Shakespeare, III.iii.90-91). Not only is the act of discord apparent in the actions of King Alonso and his group, but the etymology behind the specific use of “distractions” gives the reader a greater understanding of the theme of the theater being a cause of fear and confusion amongst its audience. According to the online Etymology Dictionary, the word “distraction” was used often to refer to a “drawing away of the mind” or a “pulling apart” (Douglas …show more content…

Not only are the readers and audience of The Tempest able to see the prominent theme of theatre importance all throughout the third scene within the third act of Shakespeare’s stage production, they are able to witness Shakespeare’s, and by extension Prospero’s, ability to use that importance to impart fear and discord in the members of the audience. Due to its emphasis on the theatre, the audience is capable of seeing Shakespeare’s The Tempest as an ode to the powers and capabilities of the theatre as well as seeing Prospero as a type of reflection of his own creator. After all, what other character throughout the play is able manipulate the actions of the audience and influence the appearance of strong

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