The nature of discovery entails a journey that is transformative. Discoveries often involve introspection and learning about people, places, events and relationships that can challenge previously held values and attitudes. Through William Shakespeare’s 1611 play, ‘The Tempest’, and Gweyneth Lewis’ short poem, ‘Peripheral Vision’, readers gain a deep understanding of the concept discovery, and how discoveries, by their very nature, change our ways of thinking and our values. Shakespeare’s, The Tempest, presents and explores numerous discoveries, which come about through ideas of revenge, power, love, renewal and usurpation. These thematic concerns all question established power structures between the different characters, and therefore challenge …show more content…
The power of forgiveness in the face of mans inhumanity towards man, is deeply explored through Prospero’s actions. Prospero’s revenge plot demonstrates his vindictive and spiteful nature. However, Prospero discovers the power of forgiveness within himself, and realises that he is part to blame. Prospero’s changed attitude towards vengeance and his vindictive ways of thinking, offers his character a chance to reform and create peace. ““Yet with my nobler reason, ‘gainst my fury I do take part. The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance.” The alliteration of the ‘V’ along with the juxtaposition of the words ‘virtue & vengeance,’ create a deeper effect on Prospero’s contrasting ideas of self, and his change in emotions. Through discovering passion and new perspectives, Prospero realises that he must negotiate his existing values and accepts that he must give up his much valued magical powers in order to be a human ruler. The symbolic destruction of Prospero’s powers, “ I’ll break my staff” and “Ill drown my book”, demonstrates Prospero’s dedication to his new …show more content…
Through discovering her dog’s inner qualities and observing “the man inside her terrier”, the value Lewis places on nobility and beauty transforms. She therefore challenges the value she once placed on nobility and beauty, and discovers that loyalty can often be hidden. The discovery of these new values and attitudes allows her character develop a better understanding of nobility and what it means to her. Similarly to Prospero in The Tempest, Lewis accepts that she cannot maintain the ‘prince’ within her dog and the sepia-tinted fantasy. “Then, back on all fours, he was wagging his tail by the kitchen door.” The description within this quote uses canine features and behaviors to demonstrate the reversion to reality. Lewis’ use of a simple simile and the contrasting of the two images of the approachable terrier and the noble prince, corresponds the exploration of reality and idealism, thus proving that discovery by its very nature changes our ways of thinking and challenges our values, and that discoveries may not always be permanent and/or real, but rather an imaginative