The disorder pertaining from a chaotic state of society can function as a medium for individuals to undergo the process of discovery. Such revelations can greatly alter the perspective of individuals, which can ultimately lead to them developing a greater understanding of their own context and wider human society. William Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities each involve the structure of society becoming fluid due to the onset of chaos. They examine the effects of this chaos upon human nature and also individual reactions to such a state of disarray. Furthermore, they display the ways in which a chaotic surrounding can act as a catalyst for one to undergo the discovery of power, and reinterpret their values
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Consequently, many opportunities exist for the upward social mobility of those who occupy a low standing on the accepted social hierarchy. However, as such people undergo the process of discovering the benefits of power, they develop an inflated degree of egotism. Shakespeare demonstrates this corrupting nature of power through the subplot occurring between Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban. In the ensuing chaos of the storm conjured by Prospero, Stephano is able to break away from the social constraints placed upon him in the outside world and exert power over Caliban and Trinculo when Caliban comes to worship him and he is able to become the leader of the three. Stephano’s newfound power quickly affects his perception of his own significance, displayed by his shift in mannerisms, taking to commanding his “subjects” ‘Drink, servant monster, when I bid thee.’ Stephano continues to aggrandise himself whilst planning to usurp Prospero as ruler of the island, declaring, ’His daughter and I will be/king and queen’. Prospero, occupying the status of both nobility of Milan, and ruler of the island, is far above Stephano within social hierarchy of Shakespeare’s time. Thus Stephano’s belief that he would be a reasonable suitor for Miranda highlights the degree to which his sense of self-importance has risen. Stephano’s diegesis demonstrates the influence of power upon one’s ego. However, Shakespeare ultimately dismisses Stephano’s ascent to power, concluding the play with the royalty set to safely return to their state and continue ruling. Moreover, the dynamic between Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban is only ever constructed as a drunken parody of a rise to power, and although their discovery of power is demonstrated to have significant impact on their individual selves, it is presented as trivial to society as a
Consequently, many opportunities exist for the upward social mobility of those who occupy a low standing on the accepted social hierarchy. However, as such people undergo the process of discovering the benefits of power, they develop an inflated degree of egotism. Shakespeare demonstrates this corrupting nature of power through the subplot occurring between Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban. In the ensuing chaos of the storm conjured by Prospero, Stephano is able to break away from the social constraints placed upon him in the outside world and exert power over Caliban and Trinculo when Caliban comes to worship him and he is able to become the leader of the three. Stephano’s newfound power quickly affects his perception of his own significance, displayed by his shift in mannerisms, taking to commanding his “subjects” ‘Drink, servant monster, when I bid thee.’ Stephano continues to aggrandise himself whilst planning to usurp Prospero as ruler of the island, declaring, ’His daughter and I will be/king and queen’. Prospero, occupying the status of both nobility of Milan, and ruler of the island, is far above Stephano within social hierarchy of Shakespeare’s time. Thus Stephano’s belief that he would be a reasonable suitor for Miranda highlights the degree to which his sense of self-importance has risen. Stephano’s diegesis demonstrates the influence of power upon one’s ego. However, Shakespeare ultimately dismisses Stephano’s ascent to power, concluding the play with the royalty set to safely return to their state and continue ruling. Moreover, the dynamic between Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban is only ever constructed as a drunken parody of a rise to power, and although their discovery of power is demonstrated to have significant impact on their individual selves, it is presented as trivial to society as a