Dear Shakespeare: A Critique of The Tempest
To Mr. William Shakespeare,
I am going to get right down to business. I am writing to you regarding
our recent collaboration on The Tempest. In my opinion I think we need to make
a couple of changes. The first is in regards to Caliban and the second has to
do with Prospero.
As I was reading the section of the play where Caliban takes Stephano as
his master I began to think about how he should be wiser by now. As is Caliban
begs a drunken Stephano to be his master. In my opinion Caliban should show
development by not drinking and possibly taking advantage of the drunk Stephano
and Trinculo. It should develop in this fashion:
Caliban: I believe that I can assist you in your stay on the
island.
Stephano: What mean you beast?
Caliban: I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow,
And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts,
Show thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how
To snare the nimble marmoset. I'll bring thee
To clustering filberts, and I'll teach thee to get
Young scamels from the rock. Does't though attend me?
Stephano: I do. For all this service what want'st you in return.
Caliban: I ask but one simple service. The death of my tyrant
master.
Stephano: You ask me to murder for you?
Caliban: I ask only that you remove your only opponent in making
me your vassal.
Stephano: Well bargain'd for a monster such as thee. I shall
consider it.
If the scene is run in this way Caliban is developed as more human and less
monster. Also it adds more urgency to the possible danger Stephano and Trinculo
bring, but the comic aspect remains because the two are drunk.
My second suggestion addresses the issues of Prospero and tempests. At
the end of the play there is the opportunity for... [continues]
To Mr. William Shakespeare,
I am going to get right down to business. I am writing to you regarding
our recent collaboration on The Tempest. In my opinion I think we need to make
a couple of changes. The first is in regards to Caliban and the second has to
do with Prospero.
As I was reading the section of the play where Caliban takes Stephano as
his master I began to think about how he should be wiser by now. As is Caliban
begs a drunken Stephano to be his master. In my opinion Caliban should show
development by not drinking and possibly taking advantage of the drunk Stephano
and Trinculo. It should develop in this fashion:
Caliban: I believe that I can assist you in your stay on the
island.
Stephano: What mean you beast?
Caliban: I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow,
And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts,
Show thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how
To snare the nimble marmoset. I'll bring thee
To clustering filberts, and I'll teach thee to get
Young scamels from the rock. Does't though attend me?
Stephano: I do. For all this service what want'st you in return.
Caliban: I ask but one simple service. The death of my tyrant
master.
Stephano: You ask me to murder for you?
Caliban: I ask only that you remove your only opponent in making
me your vassal.
Stephano: Well bargain'd for a monster such as thee. I shall
consider it.
If the scene is run in this way Caliban is developed as more human and less
monster. Also it adds more urgency to the possible danger Stephano and Trinculo
bring, but the comic aspect remains because the two are drunk.
My second suggestion addresses the issues of Prospero and tempests. At
the end of the play there is the opportunity for... [continues]
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