naa dude i did the tempest as well, i have found a bit, but no there isnt much...illl send you something our teacher sent if you want...
just a few points...
THE TEMPEST
Our imagination can take us on meaningful and enthralling journeys. Part of our imagination can be stimulated by various things such as dreams, metaphor and symbolism which are tools for our unconscious and conscious minds. In dreams, the world we delve into can be magical where visions vanish, other things appear; we have strong emotions or responses; we feel pleasure or fear; at times things can morph into other forms.
When Shakespeare takes us on a journey through The Tempest, he uses magical elements as dramatic tools. For example, he takes us to an enchanted island where things appear and disappear; where the spirit of Ariel can be invisible; where Prospero uses magic; and where there are such odd beings as Caliban. On this magical isle, time and space are compressed and on the stage that is the island, prospero subjects his various audiences (including us) to a variety of spectacles and entertainments which are educational, punitive and cathartic for different characters.
Although the island previously belonged to Caliban as he inherited it from his mother, Prospero has usurped Caliban’s power and has enslaved him. Poor Caliban is referred to as a “slave” by both Miranda and Prospero and Caliban develops a hatred that is clearly violent and malicious in its resentment of his changed role. (There are distinct historical parallels here in that in the Elizabethan era, England was colonising various parts of the world, especially the new colonies in America. Caliban’s role therefore becomes a political statement by Shakespeare as he as an indigenous person has his lands stolen and his power completely taken. (The play becomes universal in that there is a strong message therefore for modern Australians who are very conscious of the of suppression of Aboriginal Australians.)
The relationship between Prospero and Caliban changes suddenly when Caliban tries to have a sexual relationship with Miranda. Prospero interprets this as a violation of his daughter’s innocence (although not perhaps a rape) and he conjures up his magic to find an appropriate partner for his daughter. In turn, he imprisons, enslaves and tortures Caliban.
While Shakespeare uses characterisation as a dramatic technique, he also incorporates language which can cast spells or persuade us through poetry. In our contemporary world, special effects are created through technology, however, as Shakespeare did not have access to technology in the Elizabethan era, he used the power of his language to have an effect on his responders.
For example, he distinguishes his characters by the rich language each uses. Caliban ranges from noble, tragic and poetic forms to common, comical prose forms.
The imaginative journey that takes place in The Tempest can best be understood if you consider its genre. It is in the romantic genre wherein magical intervention takes a role. This allows for strange and sometimes dark things to occur and for the language used to be poetic or strikingly realistic.
The power of the imagination can challenge one’s thinking. If one sees the island as representing the world, like our society, it includes such things as power struggles, innocence, love, music and enchantment along with cruelty and treachery.
The journey that Shakespeare takes the audience on is pleasurable, challenging and inspiring as we interpret the images, the changing plot, the complex characters and their varied use of language.