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.
Under Prospero and Oberon, we notice that they have different leadership styles. …show more content…
Both spirits help their leaders to accomplish task and fulfil the goals of their leaders yet, Oberon’s relationship with Puck is friendlier in relation to Prospero and Ariel’s, evident in the way he addresses Puck by his name “Robin” (3.2.362 and 4.1.46) and “mad spirit” (3.2.4) in acknowledgement of his title of “Robin Goodfellow” (2.1.34), a mischievous spirit which brings about trouble. Despite being the King of fairies, Oberon enlists help from Puck and does not manipulate him to do his bidding, the way Prospero does with Ariel. This distinction is proved with Oberon’s use of words like “Hie” (3.2.362) to hurry Puck to mend the situation and “pray” (2.1.249) to ask Puck to hand him the potion. On the other hand, Prospero treats Ariel like a slave, using his promise against Ariel shown in “after two days I will discharge thee” (1.2.299) and “I’ll free thee Within two days for this” (1.2.421-2). The repetition of “I’ll free thee”, “I’ll discharge thee” is manipulation that Prospero applies for Ariel to do his commands, knowing that Ariel wants his freedom. The difference in their use of diction to ask for help accentuates the different nature of the relationship each king has with their helper with Oberon using friendlier words. Thus, the relationship the leaders have with their helpers are different and this affects the way they conduct their behaviour with each …show more content…
However, “Tempest” is Shakespeare’s last play and it is often believed that Prospero was a projection of Shakespeare. So, what if we read it that way? Perhaps through this comparison, Shakespeare shows the differences and similarities he had with his characters. Like Oberon, he was a leader: one that directed the entire play. He penned each event and situation that occurs and has full control which is why he is more authoritative in his leadership. It is also possible that Ariel is a personification of his inner feelings – a want to be free from the strict Elizabethan theatre but stuck with completing all his task first. More importantly, power derived from “books” accentuate Shakespeare’s power in writing. Hence, the mention of “charms are all o’erthrown” in the epilogue finalises the end of his writing career and marks the end of his writing magic because his has given up on them, suggested in the word “o’erthrown”. Perhaps then, Shakespeare wants to show that as Prospero he is ultimately human and his power to write will not go on forever unlike his fantasy characters, marking the end to his final play. Therefore, the comparison between the different kings can show Shakespeare’s difference with his own
Under Prospero and Oberon, we notice that they have different leadership styles. …show more content…
Both spirits help their leaders to accomplish task and fulfil the goals of their leaders yet, Oberon’s relationship with Puck is friendlier in relation to Prospero and Ariel’s, evident in the way he addresses Puck by his name “Robin” (3.2.362 and 4.1.46) and “mad spirit” (3.2.4) in acknowledgement of his title of “Robin Goodfellow” (2.1.34), a mischievous spirit which brings about trouble. Despite being the King of fairies, Oberon enlists help from Puck and does not manipulate him to do his bidding, the way Prospero does with Ariel. This distinction is proved with Oberon’s use of words like “Hie” (3.2.362) to hurry Puck to mend the situation and “pray” (2.1.249) to ask Puck to hand him the potion. On the other hand, Prospero treats Ariel like a slave, using his promise against Ariel shown in “after two days I will discharge thee” (1.2.299) and “I’ll free thee Within two days for this” (1.2.421-2). The repetition of “I’ll free thee”, “I’ll discharge thee” is manipulation that Prospero applies for Ariel to do his commands, knowing that Ariel wants his freedom. The difference in their use of diction to ask for help accentuates the different nature of the relationship each king has with their helper with Oberon using friendlier words. Thus, the relationship the leaders have with their helpers are different and this affects the way they conduct their behaviour with each …show more content…
However, “Tempest” is Shakespeare’s last play and it is often believed that Prospero was a projection of Shakespeare. So, what if we read it that way? Perhaps through this comparison, Shakespeare shows the differences and similarities he had with his characters. Like Oberon, he was a leader: one that directed the entire play. He penned each event and situation that occurs and has full control which is why he is more authoritative in his leadership. It is also possible that Ariel is a personification of his inner feelings – a want to be free from the strict Elizabethan theatre but stuck with completing all his task first. More importantly, power derived from “books” accentuate Shakespeare’s power in writing. Hence, the mention of “charms are all o’erthrown” in the epilogue finalises the end of his writing career and marks the end of his writing magic because his has given up on them, suggested in the word “o’erthrown”. Perhaps then, Shakespeare wants to show that as Prospero he is ultimately human and his power to write will not go on forever unlike his fantasy characters, marking the end to his final play. Therefore, the comparison between the different kings can show Shakespeare’s difference with his own