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Identity In The Tempest

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The Tempest Analytical Task 1: Paragraph

Self-discovery can be established through a sense of realization from the unexpected service of others. This revelation within oneself is showcased through Prospero’s conversation with Ariel and his own soliloquy in Shakespeare’s pastoral romantic play The Tempest. Ariel’s compassionate empathy and heavenly spirit begins to affect Prospero’s identity after Ariel explains that he’s running his foe off. The combination of personification “your charm so strongly works ‘em that if you now behold them, your affections would become tender” and the stichomythia of lines “dost though think so spirit”, “mine would, sir were I human”, “And mine shall” emphasises how Ariel’s spirit is the catalyst for Prospero’s …show more content…

Prospero’s transformation of costume “this rough magic I here abjure … I’ll break my staff” added with a blend of destructive personification and elevated “I’ll drown my book” suggest a positive consequence as he has rejuvenated himself by abolishing his tools of destruction. Conversely, his magic powers had kept him isolated from Milan as well as distracting him from the purse of his Dukedom and by giving up what was essentially his identity, Prospero self-realization has revealed that he has transformed from a cunning and manipulative illusionist to a modest and humble being. The use of stage direction “they all enter the circle which Prospero had made, and there stand charmed; which Prospero observing, speaks”, suggest Prospero’s regal nature as person and the aura that surrounds him whilst speaking. The experience of discovery can be confronting for oneself, however it seems that Prospero has accepted the change within him. The use of metaphor to about the ocean to describe the spell that is casting of from Alonzo, Sebastian, Gonzalo and himself in the line “their understanding begins to swell, and the approaching tide will shortly fill the reasonable shore that now lies foul and muddy”, demonstrates their returning to

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In The Color of Water by James McBride, the author tells an autobiography of himself as well as a biography of his mother. The novel tells the story of both the lives of James and his mother Ruth and all of the hardships that the two had faced. Ruth was a Jewish woman who grew up in a home where she was abused and in towns where she was treated poorly for being Jewish. She fell in love with an African American man who she married and as a result was disowned from her family. Since her past was something she could hardly bare to think about, she never shared details with her 12 children leaving them in the dark about their real identities.

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Lee makes it clear that discoveries can shape our identity by either challenging or affirming our beliefs about ourselves and our world. The initial challenging discoveries of doubt and inner darkness can enable the protagonist to emerge wise and fulfilled, eventually rewarding them with a fully-grown depth of understanding and discernment. In the first stage of discovery the individual leaves the familiar and ventures from the ordinary into the extraordinary. The Tempest opens during a fierce storm at sea, with a royal party on board, representing Prospero’s initial

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In addition to Caliban, Prospero's yearning for vengeance also creates internal issues for himself. After Ferdinand and Miranda announce their marriage, Prospero claims his "rejoicing / At nothing can be more," because he must "perform / Much business appertaining," (Shakespeare, 95-99). Usually, a father focuses more on his daughter getting married, however Prospero can only focus on his plans for vengeance. Some believe that the characters internal struggles were caused by the wrongdoers, and not a lack of forgiveness; however, at the end of the play, after Prospero becomes a more virtuous character, his conflicts with his brother and Caliban are resolved, clearly showing that their focus on vengeance is what caused the internal struggles.

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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.

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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.

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Unlike Shakespeare’s other main characters, he is much more enigmatic. In they play Prospero is portrayed as the rogue who seeks revenge on his brother Antonio for his treachery. In this Shakespearean comedy it becomes clear that Prospero is the heart of power on the island. Evidently Prospero has been wronged by his brother’s usurping which he could not control and now uses his magic as a tool for controlling the events that occur on island throughout the play. The theme of power in this play is hugely significant as it clear that the violence interrogated in this play is in relation to power and the abuse of that power by the protagonist.

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As the play begins, it seems as if the massive tempest is simply a random occurrence, catching the mariners and nobility by chance. However, as the act continues, Shakespeare reveals that the tempest was actually the work of Prospero and his ghostly servant Ariel, who stirred up the seas and set fire to the masts (1.2, 193-194). This establishes Prospero as the executor of a mess of ‘coincidences’ ranging from Ferdinand stumbling upon his daughter Miranda to King Alonso and his party walking directly into the former duke’s cell. Though Prospero may have the same control over the English language as the other characters, Caliban points to his specific source of power. He says, “… for without [his books] /

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Shakespeare’s The Tempest is often considered fiction and finds content in expressing characteristics of both the main character, Prospero and differences in the power dynamics affecting his characters. Shakespeare often uses groups of characters to emphasize the complexity of their surroundings and effects on their behavior. The overall repetition of complications faced or caused in relation to Prospero and play an enormous role in the plot, helping to develop both the his feelings and the emotional ties of others regarding him. Shakespeare also varies the diction to place emphasis on the power dynamic and relationships observed between thespians.

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