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The Tempest

The Tempest. Themes and Rhetorical Emphases. Right to Rule (Colonization). This play is a story of coup de tats Antonio and Alonso overthrow Prospero Prospero overthrows Caliban Antonio and Sebastian plot to depose Alonso Stephano wants to usurp Prospero's position

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The Tempest

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  1. The Tempest Themes and Rhetorical Emphases

  2. Right to Rule (Colonization) • This play is a story of coup de tats • Antonio and Alonso overthrow Prospero • Prospero overthrows Caliban • Antonio and Sebastian plot to depose Alonso • Stephano wants to usurp Prospero's position • Prospero dethrones his brother and regains his dukedom

  3. Within this theme is embedded certain political and philosophical questions? • Do any people have the intrinsic right to rule another people? • Is colonization moral? • If so, under what circumstances? • What are the qualities of a legitimate government? • Can there be an ideal government or does it depend on the situation and people?

  4. What makes a human human? • This is a form of Shakespeare’s old favorite… appearance v. reality. • Is Caliban a human or a beast? • Shakespeare does not answer this question. He shows the reader both sides of the debate in order to force us to consider the question. • Is being human a biological issue or a behavioral issue? • Is there such a thing as race or are we all the same?

  5. In addition to this twisted version of appearance v. reality , we also get the traditional version… • Things are not always what they seem. • Truths can be misperceived, misrepresents and misunderstood. • Ferdinand is not really dead. • Prospero doesn’t really hate Ferdinand • Alonso’s group did not come to the island per chance • Gonzalo believes Stephano and Trinculo’s excuse when he wakes and finds them with their swords drawn.

  6. There are multiple magical mirages • Like what? • People’s perception of Caliban

  7. The motifs help support these themes • Magic • Journeys(Mowat) • Games and Mazes

  8. What is the rhetorical function of including the se themes? • If rhetoric is meant to persuade or make a point, what would the inclusion of these themes persuade the viewer to think about? • Does it relate to race? • Does it relate to politics? • Does it matter what Shakespeare’s intention was or does it only matter what the text conveys?

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