Discussion
In the two works the Tempest, William Shakespeare play and Julie Taymor’s film the Tempest, there is a quench for power that is never ending and it is an inexorable and popular theme in the whole drama. In the drama there is a duel between the antagonists and protagonists for control of the island. Power is expressed in a manner that control and want for power is what people crave for, and they portray others as minorities to exhibit power. In relation to power, authority comes in where with the power at hand one is able to display authority or becomes authoritative on others who are less powerful or of less authority. So with the power comes the authority and that is what is portrayed in the two works as is discussed below.
William Shakespeare the Tempest (play) and Julie Taymor the Tempest (film)
In the play and film the characters have a different understanding of class and social structure. Social and class structure is understood in a way that there is a chain of command or being where there is a place for everything and everyone. An example is there is God who is at the top, then angels are below him, and then humans follow. Every person knows their position and place and even though there is flexibility in the structures socially, if by chance something or someone moves from their place this can result into chaos or lack of order. From the play it is evident that according to the Elizabethan beliefs social spots are fixed. King is King and it is God –given. In relation to the play Antonio takes hold of power from Prospero his older brother who is rightfully supposed to take the throne. This act is seen as a wrong and it results to rebellions, mutinies, political treachery, and conspiracies. This made Prospero to raise up a storm that would kill his brother Antonio and the King which will grant him access to kingship.
Power and authority makes the characters in the play and film interpret events differently with regard to their social and class structure. From the play the characters interpret events based on what power and authority they have. An example is when Gonzalo a mere councilor is not able to defend himself from the Lords who are royalty. Even the king cannot defend Gonzalo although he did it for him just because the Lords are of royalty. The play also passes the message that reminds everyone to be cautious with the status and titles that goes with them which influences how they treat events. This also is what sets the play’s tone, in a way that men’s titles are cared for less by natural elements. An example is Gonzalo setting out his perfect society.
In relation to power and authority, is it necessary that with knowledge one has access to power? Does knowledge really have an influence on power? From the play and film, his brother Antonio takes Prospero’s dukedom from him when he pursues learning in liberal arts, which is apparently a more honorable course than political power. This contradicts the statement that with knowledge comes power since that knowledge has led to losing of power by Prospero. Miranda due to her education has been elevated and therefore has power over those who come to the island while Caliban despite having knowledge of the whole island submits to two drunkards. From the examples an opinion that knowledge works in both ways for those who seek power. Knowledge in one hand gives one power in some instances and in the other hand certain instances it deprives one of power.
Power and authority also has an effect or a part to play in slavery, servitude, and freedom. The characters in the play and film use different ways to acquire freedom from slavery and servitude. Of the slaves are Caliban, Ariel, Prospero, Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, and Ferdinand.
Firstly Caliban has two master. The first being Prospero who he submits to since he does not have a master. Caliban frees himself from Prospero by submitting to other masters who are the drunks. He submits to them since they offer him alcohol and since they are alternatives to his other master. He later on gains his freedom from the two drunks since they lost their alcohol and therefore did not have an edge over him. Power comes in where his masters both had power over him since Prospero had magical powers and the drunks had alcohol that gave them the power which overall made both masters have authority over him.
Secondly Ariel who is a slave to Prospero because he saved her from being imprisoned by Sycorax in a tree. Ariel gains freedom from Prospero by gaining trust and loyalty from him and finally he asks for his freedom. Prospero from seeing how loyal and trustworthy he is decides to grant him freedom. Power and authority comes in where Prospero uses his magical advantage over Ariel to control and have authority over him.
Thirdly, Antonio enslaves his brother Prospero from his right of ruling. He gains access to this after several attempts to pass on a message through ill and right ways. He threatens them against further betrayal and he gains his right to become ruler of Naples.
Fourth, Alonso, Sebastian, and Alonso are also enslaved by their guilt of what they did to Prospero. They fear and are dreadful of the part they played in the expulsion of Prospero. They are freed from this when Prospero becomes rightful king and when he forgives them for what they did.
In conclusion both works portray similar items with concern to the topic at hand and therefore are the same with regard to this aspect of discussion.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William, and Virginia Mason Vaughan. The tempest. London: Bloomsbury, 2011. Print.
The tempest. Dir. Julie Taymor. Perf. Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand . Touchstone Home Entertainment :, 2011. DVD.
