The Tempest Paper

Due: Tuesday, March 20th

Length: 3-5 pages (1,500-2,500 words)

Format: MLA (including Works Cited)

Assignment:

Your paper must address The Tempest. It is the most challenging play we have read, yet, as so, it also provides the most diverse opportunities for exploration and creativity. As we talk about continuously in class, you will need to perform the three motions that are consistently asked of you, but in a more expansive and comprehensive fashion:

1) hone in on moments that affect YOU and figure out why (don't be scared, it's alright!)

2) provide an in-depth analysis (close-reading/explication) of these moments as to arrive at a conclusive, or at least well-argued, understanding of how the presentation/form (word choices, context, characterization) in these particular instances affect/effect the work's larger themes

3) inform the audience of what this has to do with humanity/society/culture etc.

Let a question or debatable statement regarding the plot drive your paper, as we saw in class the other day: we agreed that, in the exposition, we learn that Prospero is trying to bring Alonso and Antonio (as well as soon after, Sebastian) to justice; from there we saw that this beckons many questions: is "justice" really Prospero's motive; or is it self-interest? if it is justice, what does The Tempest tell us justice is? what does "justice" have to do with power?

This is just one example, other possible paper topics that were raised in class will be posted on the class blog: www.the211tempest.blogspot.com

Things I'll be looking for:

a) introductions that funnel from the general to the particular, as well as advertise, clearly, what the paper is going to argue: thesis.

b) your ability to stay on topic while at the same time acknowledging, when necessary, possibilities/complications you are not taking up

c) substantial examples from the text---examples that are dynamic and informative

d) thoughtful analyses of your textual examples that make the most of what is important to your essay's driving idea

e) building your points logically, clearly and concisely

f) effective transitions that follow from what came before them and lead into what comes after

The Tempest Paper

Due: Tuesday, March 20th

Length: 3-5 pages (1,500-2,500 words)

Format: MLA (including Works Cited)

Assignment:

Your paper must address The Tempest. It is the most challenging play we have read, yet, as so, it also provides the most diverse opportunities for exploration and creativity. As we talk about continuously in class, you will need to perform the three motions that are consistently asked of you, but in a more expansive and comprehensive fashion:

1) hone in on moments that affect YOU and figure out why (don't be scared, it's alright!)

2) provide an in-depth analysis (close-reading/explication) of these moments as to arrive at a conclusive, or at least well-argued, understanding of how the presentation/form (word choices, context, characterization) in these particular instances affect/effect the work's larger themes

3) inform the audience of what this has to do with humanity/society/culture etc.

Let a question or debatable statement regarding the plot drive your paper, as we saw in class the other day: we agreed that, in the exposition, we learn that Prospero is trying to bring Alonso and Antonio (as well as soon after, Sebastian) to justice; from there we saw that this beckons many questions: is "justice" really Prospero's motive; or is it self-interest? if it is justice, what does The Tempest tell us justice is? what does "justice" have to do with power?

This is just one example, other possible paper topics that were raised in class will be posted on the class blog: www.the211tempest.blogspot.com

Things I'll be looking for:

a) introductions that funnel from the general to the particular, as well as advertise, clearly, what the paper is going to argue: thesis.

b) your ability to stay on topic while at the same time acknowledging, when necessary, possibilities/complications you are not taking up

c) substantial examples from the text---examples that are dynamic and informative

d) thoughtful analyses of your textual examples that make the most of what is important to your essay's driving idea

e) building your points logically, clearly and concisely

f) effective transitions that follow from what came before them and lead into what comes after

Plot Line and Possible Paper Topics from Class 3/6/12 (Acts I-III)

The questions that follow from here were raised in class and most, if not all, are exciting paper topics so, if you're struggling for an idea, take one from here.


EXPOSITION

A) A ship wrecks and draws out class conflict, master/slave, bourgeoisie/proletariat dynamic

-is the storm Prospero's idea?:

Pros: Know thus far forth:
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune
(Now my dear lady) hat my enemies
Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star, whose influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop. (I.ii. 177-84)

Does this refer to the opportunity to hook Miranda up w/ Ferdinand?

Or speak of "Providence divine" (Prospero, I.ii. 159) being even more powerful and thus controlling even Prospero?

What is the relationship between such things as Providence, Destiny (III.iii. Ariel, 57) and Prospero? Does he abide a higher power or ideology (master narrative) such as Christianity?



B) Prospero tells Miranda his life story. We find out he was usurped by his brother, Antonio, who was assisted by Alonso, King of Naples; therefore, the ship is wrack'd because it is an opportunity for them to be brought to justice.

What is justice? Is it coming face to face with Prospero and bowing to his power?

Is it Prospero's mercy? What does justice change? Does it change anything? Who feels remorse at the end? Anyone?



C) We meet Caliban and Ariel, who are both "disquiet," in different ways about their bondage.

How does one explain these differences? What do they have to do with? What cultural ideals do they rub up against? And Prospero?




DEVELOPMENT/RISING ACTION

A) Ferdinand instantly falls in love with Miranda

B) We find out that in all the troupes that people the island, most members desire power:

-Antonio convinces Sebastian to kill his brother, Alonso (&Gonzalo)
-Stephano exploits Caliban and is encouraged and agrees to kill Prospero

On the other hand, we see some people want to be led:

-Caliban wants to lick Stephano's foot ("foot-licker") and considers this Freedom
-Miranda, in an uncommonly forward fashion, devotes herself to Ferdinand

Thus, Shakespeare places his characters in a sort of Wonderland, where men's desires find unhindered expression (as well as women's, at least Mirandas) and most people either want power or servitude …hmmmm…What do you think about that?

C) Banquet, which only Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso see



CLIMAX ?

(III.iii. 88-90):

Pros. : My high charms work
And these, mine enemies, are all knit up
In their distractions. They are now in my pow'r.

If this was the climax, of course, it would mean the play was not, necessarily, about bringing these men, "these, mine enemies" to justice, but Prospero's struggle, even for a sorcerer, to bring them under his power/control…


As so, what does this say about:

-the evolution of power---where we start and what we aspire to?
-what allowed Prospero's enemies to stay out from under his power till now?
-what does it say about Prospero in general?

If this is not the climax, what is and why?