Skip to main content

How does Shakespeare's The Tempest explore the theme of discovery?

In a sense, the theme of discovery is at the heart of Shakespeare's The Tempest. On the one hand, you have the shipwrecked crew stranded by the storm at the beginning of the play. Much of the rest of the play is concerned with the stranded characters discovering the strange and exotic island, complete with magic, spirits, and strange creatures. Likewise, another major component of the play focuses on Miranda's discovery of human society....

In a sense, the theme of discovery is at the heart of Shakespeare's The Tempest. On the one hand, you have the shipwrecked crew stranded by the storm at the beginning of the play. Much of the rest of the play is concerned with the stranded characters discovering the strange and exotic island, complete with magic, spirits, and strange creatures. Likewise, another major component of the play focuses on Miranda's discovery of human society. Stranded on the island with her father and few other companions, Miranda has little knowledge of civilization or human nature. However, with the arrival of the shipwreck (and especially Ferdinand, her future husband), Miranda gradually discovers the intricacies of human society and relationships. 


Though you certainly don't need to make this connection, it's possible to link the play's theme of discovery to colonization. In some ways, Prospero can be seen as the prototype for the European who discovers and colonizes native populations, as he arrives on the island and presses Caliban into his service. Thus, though the theme of discovery is often exciting and fantastical within the context of the play, it also comments on the burgeoning European tendency to discover and exploit new lands.  

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...