1. William Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

Q: How do 16th and early 17th-century voyages of discovery influence The Tempest?

A: Explorations by figures like Magellan and Drake inspired an interest in "new" lands and people, paralleling The Tempest’s isolated island and themes of discovery and cultural encounter.

Q: What role did contemporary travel literature, like "The Bermuda Pamphlets," play in The Tempest?

A: Reports of shipwrecks and mysterious islands sparked public imagination and influenced Shakespeare’s setting and themes, including the opening shipwreck scene.

Q: How does The Tempest reflect European colonial views of indigenous peoples?

A: Caliban is portrayed as “savage” and inferior, embodying the European tendency to dehumanize indigenous populations for control, reflecting early colonialist attitudes.

Q: How does Caliban symbolize colonized indigenous people?

A: Caliban represents the “savage” colonial subject, seen as inferior and subject to domination, similar to indigenous populations encountered and subjugated by Europeans.

Q: In what way does Prospero’s control over Caliban reflect colonial power?

A: Prospero’s authority over Caliban mirrors the European belief in the “civilizing” mission, asserting dominance over those considered “uncivilized” or “savage.”

Q: What role does the transatlantic slave trade context play in The Tempest?

A: Themes of servitude and control in The Tempest echo the racial hierarchies and exploitation integral to the transatlantic slave trade, reflected in the treatment of Caliban.

Q: How do North African influences appear in The Tempest?

A: Stereotypes about North African “Others” and slaves influenced English ideas about race, contributing to characterizations of Caliban as an uncivilized “Other.”

Q: How does the English treatment of the Irish influence The Tempest?

A: English views of the Irish as “wild” and in need of control parallel Prospero’s view of Caliban as an unruly, subservient figure, highlighting English colonial stereotypes.

Q: What is the Plantation of Ulster, and how does it relate to themes in The Tempest?

A: The Plantation of Ulster involved the dispossession of Irish land and cultural control, mirroring Prospero’s takeover of the island and control over its inhabitants.

Q: How does King James I's focus on dynastic alliances appear in The Tempest?

A: The marriages of Miranda and Claribel reflect James I’s strategic marriages, underscoring themes of alliance, unity, and power in European politics.

Q: How does the marriage of Miranda and Ferdinand represent dynastic stability?

A: Their union symbolizes reconciliation and a new, stable alliance, mirroring political marriages in James I’s rule to secure alliances and peace.

Q: How does Basilicon Doron relate to Prospero’s character in The Tempest?

A: James I’s advice on a ruler’s duties in Basilicon Doron is reflected in Prospero’s evolving sense of responsibility and his renunciation of magic to focus on proper rule.

Q: What does Prospero’s renunciation of magic symbolize?

A: His choice to abandon magic for moral governance mirrors James I’s view that a ruler’s duties should prioritize justice and the well-being of subjects over personal pursuits.

Q: What is the “divine right of kings,” and how does it influence The Tempest?

A: The belief that kings were God’s chosen rulers underpins Prospero’s claim to power, portraying his return to Milan as just and divinely sanctioned.

Q: How is the concept of republicanism subtly present in The Tempest?

A: The storm in Act I, Scene 1, and social upheaval hint at a critique of monarchy, reflecting early republican sentiments challenging absolute rule.

Q: How does The Tempest follow the romance genre?

A: The play incorporates adventure, magic, and reconciliation, typical of romances, offering a journey from conflict to harmony on a mysterious island.

Q: How does the romance genre shape Prospero’s character arc?

A: His journey from revenge to forgiveness aligns with the romance theme of transformation and renewal, reinforcing his ultimate moral redemption.

Q: How does Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II influence Prospero’s character?

A: Like Rudolph, who was interested in magic and neglectful of state duties, Prospero’s initial fixation on the occult led to his exile, illustrating the dangers of neglecting governance.

Q: What does Prospero’s rule on the island signify about colonial authority?

A: His control over the island mirrors the European notion of “civilizing” foreign lands, showcasing both the power and moral ambiguity of colonialism.

Q: What is Ariel’s role in Prospero’s colonial authority on the island?

A: Ariel serves as Prospero’s loyal yet freedom-seeking servant, symbolizing the complex relationships of dependency and rebellion within colonial power structures.

Q: How does Ariel’s desire for freedom represent colonial resistance?

A: Ariel’s reminders about his promised freedom reflect the colonized subject’s desire for autonomy, subtly challenging Prospero’s authority.

Q: In what way is Ariel a “noble” character compared to Caliban?

A: Ariel is portrayed as obedient and “civilized,” contrasting with Caliban’s rebelliousness, reflecting European perceptions of “good” versus “bad” colonial subjects.

Q: How does Prospero’s use of magic complicate his authority?

A: His magic allows control over others, but it isolates him morally, suggesting that his power is both grand and morally questionable.

Q: Why is Prospero’s rule over the island considered ambiguous?

A: He is a rightful ruler but also an invader on the island, representing both a legitimate authority and an oppressive colonizer.

Q: What does the storm in Act I, Scene 1 symbolize in terms of hierarchy?

A: The storm disrupts social order, symbolizing the instability of rigid hierarchies and the potential for rebellion within colonial structures.

Q: How does the storm scene reflect republican ideas?

A: The temporary breakdown of authority in the storm suggests a challenge to absolute monarchy, echoing early republican ideas of shared governance.

Q: What does Prospero’s renunciation of magic signify about colonial authority?

A: His decision to abandon magic and forgive others suggests a critique of colonial exploitation and a move toward moral, humanistic rule.

Q: How does Prospero’s renunciation parallel European ideas about moral governance?

A: Similar to James I’s call for virtuous leadership, Prospero’s final act represents the ideal of ruling with wisdom, justice, and mercy, free from coercion.