Portrayal of Utopia in The Tempest by William Shakespeare...

Utopia in The Tempest In The Tempest, Shakespeare allows the audience to appreciate the possibilities of utopian society, the good, and bad, so that they can understand the problems that the pursuit of a utopian environment may cause. The Tempest is a window into the dimensions of utopian societies. Shakespeares play portrays the good and the evil sides of the perfect life. While his characters take on the role of the leaders of the utopian societies, Shakespeare portrays the social questions and beliefs of society of how a utopian environment should be. Essential to the discussion of this aspect of The Tempest is the definition of a Utopia. For different characters this utopia means different things. First of†¦show more content†¦His evil intentions and deceitful gain of power were what people of that time would have labeled a dystopia, the opposite of a utopia. Mirandas utopia is a very naive one. All her life she has been isolated on the island seeing no-one but her father and Caliban, and therefore upon seeing other beings is amazed and overcome by her new discovery. Her role in the play, along with Ferdinand is to unite enemies (Prospero Alonso), and this links in to Ferdinands utopia which represents true love (as it has passed Prosperos tests). Ferdinand therefore finds a utopia on the island, because in marrying Miranda his life changes, for the better. In meeting Miranda he also therefore plays a major role in Mirandas utopia. Alonsos utopia is revealed at the end of the play as he wants freedom from guilt, freedom from his past sins. He also wishes to play a more involved role within his family. Therefore his utopia is one of goodness and again shows he has found a utopia on the island, as his personality has totally changed. This also contributes to Miranda finding a utopia as it shows her the power of repentance. Prosperos utopia lies in his desire to be free from the stage as he requests at the end in his epilogue, release me from my bands with the help of your good hands. However Prospero is unable to escape responsibility as he has control over the whole island, which is why it is he who requests the audiences applause atShow MoreRelated Portrayal of Utopia in The Tempest Essay example1652 Words   |  7 PagesPortrayal of Utopia in The Tempest      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In The Tempest, Shakespeare allows the audience to appreciate the possibilities of utopian society and whatever this may posses.   Being the good, and bad so that they can see that problems can arise in such a society. The Tempest can be thus seen as a window into the dimensions of utopian societies. While his characters take on the role of the leaders of the utopian societies, Shakespeare uses his creation to portray the social questions and beliefsRead More Conflict and Harmony in The Tempest Essay1390 Words   |  6 PagesConflict and Harmony in The Tempest   Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare describes a utopic world saturated with supernatural images and ideas which works to create the mysterious island where The Tempest takes place.   This is one of Shakespeares best examples of how a natural harmony reveals itself through the actions of discourse and confusion.   To illustrate this idea best one must examine the historical context upon which The Tempest is based.   Because this play was published in the early 1600sRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Tragicomedy The Tempest1935 Words   |  8 Pagesstand alone, frequently including elements from other influences. William Shakespeare’s tragicomedy The Tempest (c:1611) is a play that uses intertextuality to enhance ideas about natural order. Banished to an island, Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, conjures up a tempest that brings him his usurping brother, Antonio in an attempt to restore his Dukedom. The play’s amalgamation of tragicomedy and the pastoral genre allows Shakespeare to warn his audience about unbalance, criticising the lavish lifestyle