Literacy And Power In English Literature Essay

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Following the Middle Ages, the Renaissance was marked by a rise in literacy and education, and the return of classical values. During this period, writes and artists explored the effects of these trends on society, debating the consequence of the loss in the traditional Christian value. The Tragic History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, written in 15XX and The Tempest by William Shakespeare, written in 16XX, are literature works from the Renaissance that examine the interaction between literacy and power. Both works revolve around the impact of knowledge on the protagonist’s hubris and emphasize the role of books in both Faustus’ and Prospero’s characters and motivations.
During their respective
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More than once Faustus portrays his books as his most prized possession. When Faustus ponders about getting himself a wife, Mephistopheles and Lucifer seduce him with a book of charms, and lead him to forget his sexual desires. Faustus’ last line, before being dragged down to hell by Lucifer, is a scream for his life, claiming “[he will] burn [his] book!” (13.57–113). Evidently, Faustus feels a deep connection for his books, considering those are his last words before spending eternity in hell. As for Prospero, he admits that the reason he lost his dukedom was because he valued books above his obligations (XXX-XXX). Another instance books are mentioned is when Caliban plots with Stephano and Trinculo to overthrow and kill Prospero. Caliban emphasizes that first they have to deprive him of his books by saying “ Remember First to possess his books, for without them He’s but a sot” (3.2.87-89). This serves as proof that Prospero, without his books, is nothing but a drunkard, despite already having all the education that makes him powerful. For Faustus and Prospero, it’s not knowledge itself what they seek but to posses the physical representation of it, which are books. This shows how privately insecure both character are, needing to reassure their dominance and knowledge through material

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