We have had a variety of discussions going on with the novel The Tempest. We have the discussion upon colonialism, Will vs. Greenblatt, and manipulation. All have taken different tolls on the novel and have geared all of us in different directions.
In Cultural Studies: Post colonialism, African-American Criticism, And Queer Theory we have the winners and the “savages” that represent the Americans and the Native Americans. It ties deeply with The Tempest because they portray Prospero as the Americans and Caliban as the “savage.” Therefore saying that Hollywood and many others have always depicted other minority races as the blood-thirsty animal and the Americans as the ones that come along to ‘help’ and ‘teach’ them, to help make them more ‘disciplined.’
Not only that, but there was also that debate Literary Study, Politics, and Shakespeare: A Debate between Will and Greenblatt. Where Will believed in only one way to convey and interpret a novel and Greenblatt believed in many ways to interpret the book. I personally believe that we should interpret books in new and challenging ways, not just ‘ne way.’ I know the author may or may have not seen it the way we see it now, but I think it’s always nice to see things from different perspectives. It makes it more interesting and intriguing.
Then there was manipulation that was also brought up. I realized how manipulative many of the characters are. Prospero is great at making Ariel believe he’ll receive his freedom some time soon after he fulfills his ‘duties’ and then he makes Miranda believe that he’s not at all at fault for being kicked out of the dukedom when in reality, his carelessness and lack of concentration on the dukedom caused his fall as king. Then there’s Caliban whom Prospero, once again, tricks and manipulates by saying that Caliban is alive only for the reason that he (Prospero) helped him get where he is today. He taught him how to behave, how to speak, and how to live. However, everyone is unsure of whether who’s really at fault or not.
Although those are just a few, there is a lot more to The Tempest and there is a lot more that could be discussed. However, I’ll cut it short here.
In Cultural Studies: Post colonialism, African-American Criticism, And Queer Theory we have the winners and the “savages” that represent the Americans and the Native Americans. It ties deeply with The Tempest because they portray Prospero as the Americans and Caliban as the “savage.” Therefore saying that Hollywood and many others have always depicted other minority races as the blood-thirsty animal and the Americans as the ones that come along to ‘help’ and ‘teach’ them, to help make them more ‘disciplined.’
Not only that, but there was also that debate Literary Study, Politics, and Shakespeare: A Debate between Will and Greenblatt. Where Will believed in only one way to convey and interpret a novel and Greenblatt believed in many ways to interpret the book. I personally believe that we should interpret books in new and challenging ways, not just ‘ne way.’ I know the author may or may have not seen it the way we see it now, but I think it’s always nice to see things from different perspectives. It makes it more interesting and intriguing.
Then there was manipulation that was also brought up. I realized how manipulative many of the characters are. Prospero is great at making Ariel believe he’ll receive his freedom some time soon after he fulfills his ‘duties’ and then he makes Miranda believe that he’s not at all at fault for being kicked out of the dukedom when in reality, his carelessness and lack of concentration on the dukedom caused his fall as king. Then there’s Caliban whom Prospero, once again, tricks and manipulates by saying that Caliban is alive only for the reason that he (Prospero) helped him get where he is today. He taught him how to behave, how to speak, and how to live. However, everyone is unsure of whether who’s really at fault or not.
Although those are just a few, there is a lot more to The Tempest and there is a lot more that could be discussed. However, I’ll cut it short here.
Toodles!
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