Art and Nature in Shakespeares The Tempest Essay -- Tempest essays

Shakespeare is one of the greatest cheatists the hu piece race has ever produced. In the agitation, he decides to determine which is more powerful art or temper? He symbolizes art through civilization and nature through man and his natural place on Earth. Through the plot, Shakespeare reveals his own beliefs concerning which force is greater. The Tempest shows the respectable differences between art and nature, but eventually concedes that art is weaker and essential b balance itself to nature. In The Tempest, Shakespeares Prospero has gotten himself into trouble by entertaining an unsatisfiable thirst for association. Prosperos downfall was brought about because he valued knowledge and art over pure power. Through Prospero, Shakespeare questions the validity of mans quest for art and beauty. However, the question is resolved in the end of the hearten when Prospero once again becomes a Duke, doing so through art. In this, Shakespeare shows that art is in fact useful. In t he beginning, art is questioned, but in the end it proves to be Prosperos most powerful saving grace, all the age finally bowing to nature. Shakespeare presents the influences of both nature and art throughout the play, ultimately with nature prevailing. The tempest he creates in the first act, the anchor that sets into feat the events of the play, is wholly dependent on natures own capacities. Ariel stirs up the winds and sea to fr... ...ween nature and art. He is careful not to dismiss art as despicable simply by being the weaker force, but rather regards it as a unique force that must succumb to that which is superior. Shakespeares stance on the subject area of art versus nature is aesthetic, allowing both forces to compete equally, yet ending with the ultimate success of nature. Bibliography Meller, A., Moon, G.T. Literary Shakespeare Sydney Canon Publications 1993. Lecture on The Tempest C. Holmes 1988. Shakespeare, W. The Tempest. Ed. Sutherland, J.R. 1990. Mikhail M. Morozor, The individuality of Shakespeares Characters through Imagery, Shakespeare Survey. 1989. Tempest & Court Masques By H. C. Sherwood