Tempest Thesis Statments

Text and Genre

How does the text conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of a particular genre, and for what purpose?

     The Tempest defies genre classification. It incorporates elements of tragedy, comedy, and romance using an autobiographical aspect. It starts with an awful tragedy befalling a noble vessel. As one reads further however, aspects of different genres come into play. We see the loved-soaked gazes of a romance, the bumbling idiots of a comedy, and the ominous themes of a looming tragedy. The Tempest is autobiographical, as Prospero's power is over the mind, like a playwright. Throughout the play, Prospero adeptly manipulates the actions of his fellow characters. It is as if he is himself a playwright. The unorthodox additions of the romantic and comedic elements provide opportunities to unveil facets Prospero's character. But ultimately, The Tempest is a tragedy without the actual tragic end.

Power and privilege

How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?

     The Tempest has several intriguing characters. Specifically however, Prospero, Caliban, and Ariel are of a different sort. The Tempest, along with many other themes, has an imperialistic aspect. Ariel and Caliban can be equated to the native peoples of the English colonies. This is predominantly seen in Prospero’s treatment of Ariel and Caliban, his equivalent to slaves. It accurately represents how colonial matters work. It does this by showing, not only resentment and bootlicking on the parts of the colonies, but also an unwavering superiority and sense of entitlement from their oppressors. Prospero truly believes his treatment of his slaves is correct. The use of two desperate slaves is supposed to give insight into the two possible reactions to oppression, and the justifications for that oppression. Caliban is represented as barbaric and impulsive. He is portrayed as no better than a beast of burden. He and his appetites must be kept in check by Prospero, a more civil being. Ariel is obedient and kind. He is grateful to his master for being taken in. The natives of Britain’s colonies are represented in the Tempest as either barbarians or simpletons because this reflects Shakespeare’s opinion of the colonies and their native people.

Reader, culture and text

How could the text be read and interpreted differently by two different readers?

     The Tempest is very reflective of the day and age of its creation.  Because of this, its themes change from person to person.  A man from Africa, in the 1700’s, might sympathize with the slaves and the life that has been forced upon them as it is similar to the lives of those around him. While a Victorian aristocrat from England might applaud the claiming of the remote island as a colony, and the general enlightenment of the barbaric islanders because of his own experience as a land holder.  Interpretation and opinion are seen through the lens of our personal experiences.  

Reflections

Recently we have read the articles Woman Warrior, How to Tame a Wild Tongue, and The Language of Power. The one that resonated the most with me was The Language of Power by bell hook. In this text, a few elements jumped out at me. For one, the repetitive use of "the oppressor language" in reference to english. It is first mentioned in reference to a poem called "The Burning of Paper Instead of Children". When I heard this way to refer to English, I began to actually think of the implications. And I realized, though english is my native tongue and i know few others, it truly was a language with a "shady" past. I thought of all the places all over the world, once colonized by the English, that had few to no other languages. Certainly none of the languages spoken by the ancestors of the native people had survived. Even worse, the places that had never had this mode of oppression ousted upon them that willingly threw away what is arguably one of the biggest parts of not only culture but also identity for this foreign tongue. Language is an important facet of social and cultural identity.  For the promise of a brighter future that may never come in a wider world that shrinks every time a language disappears. And wondered, is it worth the loss of diversity? Though I would argue avidly against I also realized it is not my place to say. Many of the great achievements of the past were possible because of the large widely spoken languages. Without these, the ideas and cooperation necessary could not have occurred. If someone wants to put there native tongue into a little box in the back of your mind, its there decision. Though they risk the loss of their past, they gain a promise for the future. ONe that many underprivileged people want and need.