The pursuit of discovery inherently exists within human nature as a quest to discover something new or something previously known. These discoveries will often lead to the modification of an individual’s beliefs and values due to the gaining of new knowledge. However, these changes may also affect one’s relationships with others and the broader society because their new beliefs and values may conflict with the rigid norms of society. This complex nature of discovery is explored in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest (1611) and Oscar Wilde’s short story The Model Millionaire (1891), with both authors illustrating a discovery that is transformative for the individual whilst simultaneously representing the greed which exists within human nature.
The …show more content…
In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero was a quite successful Duke of his town. However, as he further pursues his studies he starts to indulge himself more in his own work and neglected his role as a Duke. Consequently, he loses his position as Duke to his brother suggested in the regretful yet revengeful tone in “I, thus neglecting worldly ends… my false brother awakened an evil nature…”. This also emphasises the notion that individuals are often so busy in their self-endeavours that they often forget about their duties. However, Prospero is able to reflect upon this discovery and as a result gives up his magical powers which he uses to maintain control over others. The hyperbole in “…I’ll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth…” represents a self-actualisation in the character of Prospero as he decides to end his control over others. Furthermore, Prospero also represents Christian values of forgiveness as he decides to act “in virtue, than in …show more content…
Similar to the oblivious character of Prospero in The Tempest, the father of the woman Laura that Hughie wants to marry in The Model Millionaire, place his importance in money rather than the compassionate character of Hughie who his daughter would like to wed. Hughie makes a confronting discovery that he can only marry the girl he loves if he has ten thousand pounds of his own. The ignorant tone of Laura’s father in “come to me my boy, when you have got ten thousand pounds…” suggests that he cares more about money than he does for his daughter’s love. This emphasises that individuals with a lower social class are forced to face confronting and emotionally tragic discoveries when they feel left out in society due to their lack of wealth and knowledge. On the other hand, due to Hughie feeling pity for the poor man not knowing he is rich, represented in the remorsefulness in “poor old fellow”, that rich man was able to discover the kindness of Hughie and felt touched by his considerate nature. The hyperbole in “he was in the highest spirits after you left…” represents the enlightened nature of the rich man after he had witnessed the kind-heartedness of Hughie and as a result also gave him the ten thousand pounds he needed to marry Laura. Ultimately, it can be seen that there are two types of individuals in the modern
The …show more content…
In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero was a quite successful Duke of his town. However, as he further pursues his studies he starts to indulge himself more in his own work and neglected his role as a Duke. Consequently, he loses his position as Duke to his brother suggested in the regretful yet revengeful tone in “I, thus neglecting worldly ends… my false brother awakened an evil nature…”. This also emphasises the notion that individuals are often so busy in their self-endeavours that they often forget about their duties. However, Prospero is able to reflect upon this discovery and as a result gives up his magical powers which he uses to maintain control over others. The hyperbole in “…I’ll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth…” represents a self-actualisation in the character of Prospero as he decides to end his control over others. Furthermore, Prospero also represents Christian values of forgiveness as he decides to act “in virtue, than in …show more content…
Similar to the oblivious character of Prospero in The Tempest, the father of the woman Laura that Hughie wants to marry in The Model Millionaire, place his importance in money rather than the compassionate character of Hughie who his daughter would like to wed. Hughie makes a confronting discovery that he can only marry the girl he loves if he has ten thousand pounds of his own. The ignorant tone of Laura’s father in “come to me my boy, when you have got ten thousand pounds…” suggests that he cares more about money than he does for his daughter’s love. This emphasises that individuals with a lower social class are forced to face confronting and emotionally tragic discoveries when they feel left out in society due to their lack of wealth and knowledge. On the other hand, due to Hughie feeling pity for the poor man not knowing he is rich, represented in the remorsefulness in “poor old fellow”, that rich man was able to discover the kindness of Hughie and felt touched by his considerate nature. The hyperbole in “he was in the highest spirits after you left…” represents the enlightened nature of the rich man after he had witnessed the kind-heartedness of Hughie and as a result also gave him the ten thousand pounds he needed to marry Laura. Ultimately, it can be seen that there are two types of individuals in the modern