ipl-logo

Theme Of Civilization In The Tempest

1445 Words6 Pages

The Theme of Nature and Civilization in The Tempest

The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare, mostly takes place on a magical island Prospero got exiled to, but it shows a clear divide between nature and civilization. The play starts with Prospero and Miranda living in exile, and through this play, Prospero tries to go back to Milan, where he used to be the duke. When Alonso, the king of Naples, Antonio, the usurping Duke of Milan, and other nobles are caught in the tempest and arrive on the island, they soon realize that the traditions and rules that are applied in the man’s world do not exist on the island, where everything is natural. Although the wildness and civilization have a clear divide, the play shows a theme of different nature, which is the characters’ identities. Even though physical nature cannot be civilized, it can help humans to recognize their nature. In nature, hierarchy does not matter. A person with the power to control others’ lives inevitably becomes the top of everything. When Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Ferdinand, Gonzalo, and others come out of their cabins on the ship in the tempest and ask where the Master is, the boatswain says, “To cabin! Silence! Trouble us not” (1.1.17-8). On the ship in the tempest, none of the rules of the social class apply from the court. The king and lords must comply with the orders of the boatswain, who can pilot the ship to save them from the tempest. In nature, nobles must acknowledge the fact that they are not

Show More
Related

  • Social Class In The Elizabethan Age

    1038 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the Elizabethan age, social class structure was paramount. The class ranking dictated how the people of each level could dress, the diet and food available, and career standing. Social hierarchy classes consisted of a monarch, nobility, gentry, merchants, yeomanry, and laborer. The monarch was the highest and most superior class ranking, it was based off of bloodline only and the oldest monarch would take the throne and become the most powerful(“Elizabethan Era.”).

    Read More

  • Rebellion In Romeo And Juliet

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    These two themes kspecifically of Romeo, Tybalt and Juliet. Their defiance of society’s standards, their own family and authority is what leads to their

    Read More

  • What Is The Purpose Of The Tempest By Mary Rowlandson

    272 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary Rowlandson was held captive by the Narragansetts in 1676. She wrote a book called A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson telling about the uncertainties of the “violent English advance “civilization” and “savagery”(Takaki 43). Since the English stereotype at the time were that Native Indians were inferior, Rowlandson's account, which was significant to U.S. History was one of many stories told to change the thinking of the settlers. The Indians way of life was foreign to them. They didn't understand their ways.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis: The Tempest

    756 Words  | 4 Pages

    1- What makes Miranda a central character in the play? What process must she undergo? What virtues does she possess that make success likely? Miranda is a hero “The Tempest.”

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Henry Thoreau And Civil Disobedience

    955 Words  | 4 Pages

    While most individuals reject the idea that a king’s authority reigns supreme, many individuals agree that authoritative figures do indeed hold a scared position, a position which requires respect and honor. The balance between the two lies in maintaining that the law, disregarding all the unjust aspects, necessitates obedience, and maintaining that the law only necessitates obedience when it does not go against one’s

    Read More

  • Much Ado About Nothing Cultural Analysis

    439 Words  | 2 Pages

    Defining the Cultural Influence of Human Nature in William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” The definition of human nature often serves as a quick and a prominent explanation for how people behave under a variety of circumstances within their cultural boundaries. Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing” the 16th century Sicilian culture in which the characters live in, defines the complex relationships and interactions that shape characters human nature in this dramatic comedy. In comparison, I have often heard people refer to the nature of humans in the 21st century, as a way to distinguish a person’s violent actions under wartime circumstances. In “Much Ado About Nothing” the culture of social and wartime influence is defined through the relationships and interactions between characters with the heart and mind of the characters in constant conflict.

    Read More

  • Romeo Juliet Advantages

    841 Words  | 4 Pages

    If students can relate to the play in any way it will cause an interest to study the play without getting bored too easily. The play has many universal themes that young people usually enjoy such as young love, illogical feuding, teenage rebellion, suicide, fate, infatuation, rivalry, and friendship. These themes are still used today. For example, love being the most dominant and important theme of the play will capture students attention as it the most popular theme and students can relate to their own personal experiences. The theme of rivalry and illogical feuding can bring great excitement to the audience as the Capulets and Montagues constantly have something to fight about.

    Read More

  • The Audience In Othello

    931 Words  | 4 Pages

    The interest of an audience is held by themes that are fundamental to the human condition, as these reflect our world and examine human nature. For example, Othello explores themes of jealousy which is still relevant to this day. Therefore most themes in this play have a broad appeal to all people. The lives of a twenty first century audience are substantially different to those of a Shakespearean time but the themes of love, hate and death are timeless.

    Read More

  • How Does Prospero Change In The Tempest

    1124 Words  | 5 Pages

    Through The Tempest, the author tells the story of Prospero’s revenge on the men who took his dukedom away and left him and his daughter to die. Throughout the book Prospero tortures and manipulates them until he has complete control over them. In Act 5, Prospero’s chooses to forgive them and in the meantime abandons his art which can be a sign of change in character. However, through triumph, not change, the author uses Prospero’s choices to reveal that his desires are for power and superiority.

    Read More

  • The Tragic Hero In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    940 Words  | 4 Pages

    These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air; And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.” (Shakespeare, 1564-1616; 1958) The contradiction between the schemes is also established on the imaginary horizontal dividing line: the choice of giving in favor of another or personal advantage. Ultimately, of course, the plot focuses around Prospero.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Aime Cesaire's A Tempest

    1180 Words  | 5 Pages

    “A Tempest” is as a derivative of Shakespeare ’s play “The Tempest” by Aime Cesaire. Cesaire makes a number of alterations in his adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. These alterations have been made in order to outline the change in time eras between the two playwrights’ time of existence and to illustrate the great social change that occurred in these periods, mainly colonialism by the West, the subsequent theme of the quest for freedom as well as the theme of power that resonates throughout the play. This essay aims at exploring the similarities and to draw attention to the alterations made by Cesaire in “A Tempest” and the subsequent effects of these alterations on the audience.

    Read More

  • The Tempest Forgiveness Essay

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Tempest can be seen as a play about reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercy. However, while it is clear that the theme of forgiveness is at the heart of the drama, it is unclear to what extent mercy is given. An examination of Caliban and Ariel and their representations of Prospero’s struggle illustrates that there is little, if any, true forgiveness and reconciliation in The Tempest. Prospero’s actions from the beginning of the play seem to contradict his ultimate aim to forgive those of have wronged him. Prospero seizes the opportunity for revenge with the help of his magic and good fortune.

    Read More

  • The Dark Side Of Human Nature In Shakespeare's Othello

    517 Words  | 3 Pages

    Human nature is perceived as a delightful entity. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, several characters demonstrate the dark side of human nature and display how simple it is to get carried away with emotions. This includes Iago, who only cares for himself, Brabantio who has many doubts, and Roderigo who lacks intellect. Firstly, Iago demonstrates the dark side of human nature by being self-centered.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Nature In The Tempest

    1822 Words  | 8 Pages

    The Tempest is a captivating play that follows the afternoon of a wizard and his revenge plot against diplomats that banished him to a deserted island with his daughter. The themes nature and nurture are compared and contrasted in order to explain the various behaviors presented by each character. According to the theme of nature in The Tempest, people and things are categorized as either naturally good or bad. It is believed that bad nature should be controlled. Nurture is also predominantly displayed in the play through Caliban and Prospero.

    Read More

  • Social Issues In Shakespeare's The Tempest

    1555 Words  | 7 Pages

    Many social problems existed back then. A social issue refers to an issue that influences and is opposed by a considerable number of individuals within a society. It is often created by others and is something out of an individual's. Shakespeare use his play The Tempest to comment on social issues that were present in his time. Shakespeare does so by implementing these problems into the play.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Civilization In The Tempest

Open Document