THE TEMPEST. IMAGINATIVE JOURNEYS

Essay by robh12345High School, 12th gradeA+, May 2008

download word file, 6 pages 5.0

NOTES MADE FROM THE BOOK, AS WELL AS CLASS NOTES ONLY USED.

The above quote: "Despite the centrality of imagination to The Tempest the play's ultimate concern is for the real world" holds profound credibility. William Shakespeare, writing The Tempest during the English colonial project and colonial rule in places such as Virginia, thus he was very concerned with power, politics and justice. Shakespeare utilized complex physical locations, including the basis of politics and power, Milan; the basis of art and imagination, the island; and various illusionary constructs produced by Prospero, to enhance the major themes he aimed to address. Thematic throughout his writing are main themes of: the illusion of justice, the allure of power and control, and the power of the imagination to allow for discovery and reconciliation. Shakespeare used various techniques such as motifs, symbols to illuminate the imaginative aspects of our world as a construction induced by art with the power to 'delight and instruct' on the real world.

Thus, he addresses the 'imaginative journey' as an exploration of discovery, in which issues and themes he investigates are examined for a place or purpose in the real world.

Although the play bases itself around art and the imagination, ultimately Shakespeare deals with themes pertaining to the very real and political world. The theme of power is addressed continuously by Shakespeare in The Tempest; this is evident in physical location of the boat in the opening scenes of the play. Shakespeare uses the motif of 'master-servant relationships' to accentuate the contrasts between power in society. The artificial artistic construct of Prospero's storm/Tempest, brings life threatening circumstances, and Shakespeare's technical humour in Gonzalo's speech and motif of "servant" (Boatswain) and "masters" (the lords) illuminate his sattirization of the theme of power. Gonzalo responds: "Good,