The Conflict Between Passion And Intellect In The Tempest
The Conflict between Passion (Caliban) and Intellect (Prospero) in The Tempest
Ryan Luk
1) INTRODUCTION
a. Background
i. During the time of Shakespeare, society had a hierarchical structure, a class system. In The Tempest, the characters, Caliban and Prospero, represent two extremes on the social spectrum: the slave and the master, the ruled and the ruler.
b. Context
i. Their positions on the social hierarchy are largely due to the fact that Caliban reacts almost entirely to passions, feelings of pleasure - his senses and instincts, while Prospero is ruled more by his intellect and self-discipline - his mind. However, the fight that Prospero has against his own natural tendency to ignore the discipline of his intellect, and give in to pleasures such as vanity and self-indulgence, cannot be ignored.
c. Thesis
i. William Shakespeare, in his play, The Tempest, demonstrates the clash of passion and intellect through the development and contrast of Prospero and Caliban.
2) BODY PARAGRAPH I
a. Topic Sentence
i. Passion and intellect are both positive qualities, however, an excessive amount of passion and intellect may cause conflicts that lead to tragedies.
b. Supporting Idea I
i. Caliban the deformed savage on the island from his first appearance in the play is more animal than human. ii. But interestingly despite Caliban's deformed body and animal like appearance he possess remarkable eloquence that gives him power. Prospero, a renaissance prince even with his velvety language only equals Caliban in eloquence. (Include Caliban’s cursing) iii. Prospero punishes Caliban pettily and vindictively, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch Caliban when he curses. “You taught me language; and my profit on’t… Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you… For learning me your language!” (1.2.363-365).
c. Explanation I
i. In some ways this dichotomy between Caliban's appearance in the play and his remarkable gift for language creates a magical and mysterious atmosphere
Ryan Luk
1) INTRODUCTION
a. Background
i. During the time of Shakespeare, society had a hierarchical structure, a class system. In The Tempest, the characters, Caliban and Prospero, represent two extremes on the social spectrum: the slave and the master, the ruled and the ruler.
b. Context
i. Their positions on the social hierarchy are largely due to the fact that Caliban reacts almost entirely to passions, feelings of pleasure - his senses and instincts, while Prospero is ruled more by his intellect and self-discipline - his mind. However, the fight that Prospero has against his own natural tendency to ignore the discipline of his intellect, and give in to pleasures such as vanity and self-indulgence, cannot be ignored.
c. Thesis
i. William Shakespeare, in his play, The Tempest, demonstrates the clash of passion and intellect through the development and contrast of Prospero and Caliban.
2) BODY PARAGRAPH I
a. Topic Sentence
i. Passion and intellect are both positive qualities, however, an excessive amount of passion and intellect may cause conflicts that lead to tragedies.
b. Supporting Idea I
i. Caliban the deformed savage on the island from his first appearance in the play is more animal than human. ii. But interestingly despite Caliban's deformed body and animal like appearance he possess remarkable eloquence that gives him power. Prospero, a renaissance prince even with his velvety language only equals Caliban in eloquence. (Include Caliban’s cursing) iii. Prospero punishes Caliban pettily and vindictively, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch Caliban when he curses. “You taught me language; and my profit on’t… Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you… For learning me your language!” (1.2.363-365).
c. Explanation I
i. In some ways this dichotomy between Caliban's appearance in the play and his remarkable gift for language creates a magical and mysterious atmosphere