Julie Taymor The Tempest Analysis

Improved Essays
Julie Taymor’s adaptation of The Tempest is slightly different to that of Shakespeare’s original written play. The most important theme in this film is more focused on the nature element of the play. Shakespeare’s style of writing is filled with so much imagery which cannot be replicated in today’s vernacular. Taymor uses this to her advantage and in her film she uses the set location, the music, and the costumes to portray this imagery and the mysticism of Prospero’s island. Taymor set this production on the island of Lanai in Hawaii. This island had a large range of environments that looked almost magical. From the dense forests, to the lava hardened rock fields, the steep cliffs and roaring waves, to the dry deserts, this island, according

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    These is My Words Using a first-person narrative, the reader can sometimes detect that Sarah is interpreting other people’s actions and feelings incorrectly. If the book had been written in third-person, it would not have left the reader in anticipation and excitement for Sarah to discover what the others actually felt, as the reader would not only focus on one person. For example, readers could tell from the very beginning that Sarah had “stolen [Jack’s] very heart away” (Turner 285). However, because it was told from Sarah’s point of view, readers watched her slowly fall for him and discover his affection towards her. Sarah is a unique woman, especially for her time period.…

    • 1387 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Rene Descartes’ statement, “I at least know for certain that nothing is certain” perfectly illustrates the multiple problems that arise when all rational beings realize that their senses can deceive them and that the very foundation of their knowledge is based on the assumption that everything they encounter is real. Thankfully, being aware of the problem is the first step in solving it. The juxtaposition of Rene Descartes and William Shakespeare reveals a difference of opinion when they set out to examine and solve the problems that arise from the doubtfulness of the knowledge provided by our senses. Although both authors agree on the importance of solitude and the potential problem of an evil genius manipulating our senses, Descartes’ use…

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Tempest Revenge Quotes

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The definition of vengeance is punishment inflicted for injury or wrongdoing, or in simpler terms- revenge. When reading The Tempest, revenge is portrayed repeatedly throughout the play. Vengeance is a trait that Prospero has. Humans in general can resort to revenge when they are feeling strong, hateful feelings for someone.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Tempest Research Paper

    • 1413 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Starting as early as the fifteenth century, European powers had been extending their reach all over the world and “discovering” new lands. However, to their dismay, these lands were already inhabited by countless groups of indigenous peoples. It did not take long for the colonizers to utilize these groups by enslavement and taking their resources and land. This practice of colonialism carried on throughout the centuries until breaking up in the mid twentieth century. As a result of such controversy, many arguments have arisen over recent years about literature in the time of colonialism.…

    • 1413 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Humanity’s desire for power and control was the driving force behind the European colonial period beginning in the 16th century. The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare in 1610, portrays the social issues and insecurities that were caused due to the new-found colonialism. In the second scene of Act 2, the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized festers, consequently leading to discord. Shakespeare uses variations of literary devices, figurative language, diction, and combating tones to portray this societal conflict through the inequality that encompasses the partisan power struggles between the Europeans and natives on the island. Repetition and meter were singular literary devices used to create a discrepancy between Caliban…

    • 1417 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A Comparison Between William Shakespeare 's play, “Othello the Moor of Venice” and Oliver Parker’s Film. The story of Othello is told in William Shakespeare’s play, as well as in Oliver Parker’s film version of it. Although the plot of the story is the same in the play and the film, as well as other details, there are some differences. Focusing on the character, Iago, and his plan to destroy the main character, Othello, the play and the film use similarities and differences to help show the progression of Iago’s rage.…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    This essay will compare the ways in which powerful characters are presented in The Tempest and Of Mice and Men. It will firstly address the most powerful character in The Tempest and the ways in which the character is presented, secondly it will then compare the similarities of the most powerful character in The Tempest against the most powerful character in Of Mice and Men. It will then go on to compare the characters that hold true power in The Tempest and Of Mice and Men. The fourth part compares the way in which minor characters possess different kinds of power, and finally, some conclusions will be drawn The most powerful character in The Tempest is Prospero as he has power over the island and almost just deemed himself “ruler” of…

    • 1699 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Othello - Playful Film or Boring Play? William Shakespeare wrote the popular tragedy ‘Othello’ which has been adapted in multiple ways. One particular popular way is live action films. This essay will be discussing the similarities and the differences between Shakespeare’s literary story and Oliver Parker’s 1995 film starring Lawrence Fishburn. The key factors are obviously the same between both versions, the plotand the characters.…

    • 1334 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Tempest and the Power Needed to Rule The main motif of the play The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare (ca. 1611), is the power that a ruler can exert over his fellows and followers. In the play, this ruler is given form in the main character Prospero, the Duke of Milan, who was overthrown by his brother Antonio and the rival Duke of Naples Alonso, and exiled to a deserted island somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. Over the course of the play, Prospero uses power in a variety of ways trying to exact revenge on his brother. His goal is not to outright maim or kill the usurpers, but to gain a genuine admission of remorse from Antonio.…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In both “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (“Dream”) and “The Tempest” (“Tempest”), Shakespeare aims to show the difference between the two kings of his plays. Oberon and Prospero contribute largely to the events that occur in both comedies- Oberon instructs Puck to create the love potion in “Dream” and Prospero got Ariel to help him capsize the ship the Duke of Milan, is on in “Tempest”. Inevitably, readers will compare the similarities and differences they have because of the same role they are given in both plays. Most notably, a few points of comparison will come to mind: the leadership style they adopt, their relationship with their helpers and who is more powerful.…

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Marcus Kopp Mr. Vetter AP English Literature October 16, 2015 The setting of Othello is crucial for the reader to better understand when the play is in a state of order or chaos. The play Othello takes place in both Venice, Italy and an island right off of Italy called Cyprus. In Venice, Italy, the play is set to be a city where everything in the play is ordered and when the play is set on the island of Cyprus, it is said that the play is in a chaotic state. William Shakespeare’s 1604 poem “Othello” demonstrates how Shakespeare uses the conventional poetic form to show how the main character, Iago’s villainy and how it enhanced his work.…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    The play, The Tempest is one of the many texts which allegorically represents various aspects of colonial oppression. The Tempest resonates with unusual power and variety. Prospero’s supreme control over the island and over the spirits of the island symbolizes his imperialistic nature within the play. Shakespeare presents the issue of imperialism through the character, Prospero as he has dominant power and control over the island and the original inhabitants. Parteni defines imperialism as “the process whereby the dominant political-economic interest of one nation controls other peoples’ land and goods for their own enrichment” (2005) and this can be seen in the tempest as Prospero uses his language and power to imperialize the original inhabitants…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    William Shakespeare never ceases to communicate messages through his works, and The Tempest is no exception. There are many lessons and morals taught throughout the course of the play that have both positive and negative impacts. The themes of those who abuse power damaging others, and those that manipulate others for their own benefit are shown to be negative themes that pertain to the dark side of the story, while forgiveness being worth more than revenge teaches a more positive, valuable lesson. For instance, in the play, Prospero abuses the power that he possesses on the island and makes Caliban, the shipwrecked and Ariel suffer, showing one of the dark themes seen throughout the play. When Prospero and Miranda first arrive on the…

    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This is a quotation taken from Katherine Mansfield’s short story ‘’The Voyage’’. The story is about a young girl called Fenella, after the death of her mother she went with her grandmother to move in her Grandparent’s house in Picton, which is inspired from Mansfield’s personal life when she had to move out from her home in Wellington, New Zealand to London, England. Mansfield uses imageries, metaphors, and the setting to convey the two main ideas of darkness and light and the transformation of Fenella from innocence to adulthood. This quotation sheds light on those ideas as well as Fenella’s feelings and the characterization of the grandmother. Despite Fenella’s young age, she clearly understands the whole situation about her mother death…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The prince became furious as no one listened to his command. He bolted towards the man in the mask. He chased after him through all seven chamber until finally the masked man stopped in the seventh chamber. The prince stopped and just stared, expecting something, anything. The masked man turned around and stared the prince in his eyes.…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays