Critical Views (TT) Flashcards
Thompson
“Miranda demonstrates she has fully internalized the patriarchal assumption that a woman’s main function is to provide a legitimate succession”
Gibson
“Shakespeare presents a Eurocentric view of colonization in The Tempest”
Kermode
“Prospero’s assumption of his right to rule the island is the natural assumption of a European Prince.”
Borgonha
“In the same way that Ariel is dependent upon Prospero for his freedom, Prospero is dependent upon Ariel for the fulfilment of his plans”
Wilson
Prospero “is the controller, the manipulator”
Orgel
“Power, as Prospero presents it in the play is not inherited but self-created”
Feminist criticism - “poor worm, thou art infected”
worm’s help the ecosystem massively but don’t get recognition, reflects how Prospero is using Miranda falling in love as a way to gain power again and go back to Milan. - he is using Miranda for his own personal gain.
Feminist criticism - Miranda being used as a pawn
Miranda being constantly used as a pawn throughout the play, and maneuvered to get what the person wants – not her “Ay, lord, she will become thy bed, I warrant, And bring thee forth brave brood”. She has no voice when this happens.
Julie Taymor “The Tempest” (2010) Interpretation - Prospero
Prospero is played by Helen Mirren – redefines gender roles and norms shown in play.
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “The Tempest” Interpretation - Gonzalo
Gonzalo in “I’th’commonwealth” speech added the “and women too” as more of an afterthought/joke - shows how he hasn’t thought through his ideal – Divine Rights of Kings
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “The Tempest” - Miranda and Ferdinand
Act 3, scene 2 - Miranda being the one posing the questions to Ferdinand, being able to lift the log easily compared to him – shows her as the strong one in the relationship – challenges gender roles.
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “The Tempest” - Act 4, Scene 1 (Goddess scene)
Proxemics, Miranda and Ferdinand lifted physically higher than everyone else when Prosperoshouts/interrupts happy scene – fear of them gaining more power than him – Miranda being taken out of his control, going back to Italy they will have more power than him – fear of losing power.
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “The Tempest” - Act 5, scene 1, (Prospero renouncing his magical powers)
In this scene when Prospero admits all of the evil he has done and renounces his powers he is kneeling and looking up to the sky as if asking forgiveness from God + praying.
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “The Tempest” - Act 5, scene 1 (Prospero giving Caliban his staff)
Prospero giving Caliban his staff, Caliban stands upright for the first time in the play, and his voice becomes clearer and more confident – shows how magic has controlled his entire life, pushed him down.
Feminist criticism - Act 4, Scene 1 (Miranda)
In this scene Prospero and Ferdinand discuss the marrage between him and Miranda. Miranda doesn’t talk throughout this whole interaction however is present for it which shows how she has been subsumed into the patriarchal Jacobean society.
