Complete Shakespeare
Complete Shakespeare
Where can I find The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Online?
I want to see it really bad. (Again). So if you know where to find it, let me know ASAP!
It's called The Reduced Shakespeare Company - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Is it a movie? If so, youtube usually has some good sources
Book? Amazon, Ebay, Barnes n Noble.
Hope i helped =]
Paxton Whitehead Will Join Marsha Mason for DC's All's Well That Ends Well ; Casting Complete
Broadway veteran Paxton Whitehead will play Lafeau opposite the previously announced Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason as the Countess of Rosillion in the Shakespeare Theatre Company's new production of All's Well That Ends Well in Washington, DC, this fall.
 |
| COMPLETE PELICAN SHAKESPEARE General Editor ALfred Harbage Viking Press 1977 | |
 |
$24.95 Time Remaining: 1h 18m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE COMPLETE WORKS1960 | |
 |
$17.20 Time Remaining: 4h 15m Buy It Now for only: $17.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| William Shakespeare Complete Sonnets NEW | |
 |
$24.85 Time Remaining: 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $24.85 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Oxford Shakespeare The Complete Sonnets and Poems | |
 |
$17.62 Time Remaining: 5h Buy It Now for only: $17.62 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of Shakespeare Revised from the Orig | |
 |
$100.00 Time Remaining: 5h 51m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works by William Shakespeare 2006 Pap | |
 |
$24.31 Time Remaining: 6h 9m Buy It Now for only: $24.31 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Volumes 1 thru 6 pb used | |
 |
$7.99 Time Remaining: 6h 35m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE The Complete Works Random House | |
 |
$9.00 Time Remaining: 7h 27m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| THE YALE SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE WORKSNEW LEATHER HUGE BREATHTAKING | |
 |
$89.95 Time Remaining: 7h 44m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare Complete Set Comedies Histories Tragedies Poems 1966 Faux Leather | |
 |
$99.99 Time Remaining: 7h 55m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare William The Complete Works | |
 |
$110.00 Time Remaining: 9h Buy It Now for only: $121.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare in English | |
 |
$7.20 Time Remaining: 9h 24m Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Sonnets and Poems by William Shakespeare 2008 Paperback | |
 |
$10.90 Time Remaining: 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $10.90 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of Shakespeare by William Shakesp | |
 |
$2.99 Time Remaining: 11h 5m |
| THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE PLAYERS ILLUSTRATED EDITION KITTREDGE 1958 | |
 |
$1.29 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 48m |
| New SHAKESPEARE Complete 8 foot Fly Fishing Kit SFLYKIT | |
 |
$41.00 Time Remaining: 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $41.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The complete works of william shakespeare by gramercy | |
 |
$75.99 Time Remaining: 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $75.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare unabridged complete play Free Shipping for 10 items | |
 |
$1.25 Time Remaining: 13h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1.25 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| COMPLETE SONNETS WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PAPERBACK NEW | |
 |
$3.98 Time Remaining: 13h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare Complete Works 2005 Hardcover New | |
 |
$29.98 Time Remaining: 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $29.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| vintage hc book COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE vol II MIDSUMMER DREAM much ado | |
 |
$5.98 Time Remaining: 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $5.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 1900 Complete Works of William Shakespeare Book Romania | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 14h 49m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| LUNDY 2p SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE UNMOUNTED MINT SHEET OF 12 | |
 |
$3.11 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 7m |
| LUNDY 10p SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE UNMOUNTED MINT SHEET OF 12 | |
 |
$3.11 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 9m |
| LUNDY 18p SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE UNMOUNTED MINT SHEET OF 12 | |
 |
$3.11 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 9m |
| Shakespeare Bookcase Game Avalon Hill 1967 COMPLETE | |
 |
$10.00 Time Remaining: 16h 56m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Shakespeare Sigma 2200GX 040K Spinning Reel complete parts made 1987 | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged by Jess Winfield Jess | |
 |
$10.98 Time Remaining: 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $10.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Globe Illustrated Shakespeare Complete Works 1983 Deluxe Edition | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 18h 56m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| King Lear Cliffs Complete William Shakespeare Accep | |
 |
$1.49 Time Remaining: 19h Buy It Now for only: $1.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The complete Works Of William Shakespeare Vol 2 | |
 |
$4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 13m |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Wordswo Sh | |
 |
$11.39 Time Remaining: 19h 41m Buy It Now for only: $11.39 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 2 Volumes | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 20h 1m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Also A Memoir | |
 |
$44.00 Time Remaining: 20h 3m Buy It Now for only: $44.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare With The Temple Notes Embossed Cover | |
 |
$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 20h 10m |
| COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE World Publishing | |
 |
$59.95 Time Remaining: 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $59.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| SHAKESPEARE UGLY STICK 50 80lb ALL SET UP READY TO COMPLETE 80 AL REEL SEAT M | |
 |
$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 22h 48m |
| Complete Works William Shakespeare Rockwell Kent 1936 | |
 |
$49.99 Time Remaining: 22h 49m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare William The Complete Works of William | |
 |
$350.00 Time Remaining: 23h 15m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Leather Bound NEW | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 23h 35m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare COMPLETE WORKS w Life of Poet Baird Dillon | |
 |
$79.95 Time Remaining: 23h 45m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of Shakespeare | |
 |
$9.96 Time Remaining: 23h 55m Buy It Now for only: $9.96 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Oxford Shakespeare The Complete Works Stanley Wells Gary Taylor New HC | |
 |
$10.00 Time Remaining: 23h 57m |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 1971 Great Britain | |
 |
$11.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 53m |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare BC DJ 2 Volume Set Doubleday | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 8m |
| classic club books lot of 3 henry esmond complete works of shakespeare | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare 2007 | |
 |
$17.78 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 3m Buy It Now for only: $17.78 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare Illustrated by William Shakespeare | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 5m Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works Of Shakespeare 1950s HB Grolier | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE EARLY ED W J BLACK | |
 |
$9.85 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 1m Buy It Now for only: $9.85 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| THE KITTREDGE PLAYERS EDITION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 1958 | |
 |
$99.95 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 23m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Sadler Shakespeare complete series 3 teapots for one price | |
 |
$85.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 26m |
| The RSC Shakespeare The Complete Works BRAND NEW | |
 |
$60.28 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 43m Buy It Now for only: $60.28 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Volume 6 | |
 |
$25.41 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $25.41 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 7 8 Wi | |
 |
$25.60 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $25.60 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Volume 9 | |
 |
$25.04 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $25.04 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Complete Works of William Shakespeare Edited by Clark | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 55m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| c1900 Complete Works of SHAKESPEARE Oxford VELLUM | |
 |
$170.57 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $170.57 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Volum | |
 |
$20.05 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $20.05 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Shak | |
 |
$18.10 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 16m Buy It Now for only: $18.10 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 1913 COMPLETE Works Oxford SHAKESPEARE Craig | |
 |
$94.75 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 56m Buy It Now for only: $94.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| William Shakespeare The Complete Works Drama stage | |
 |
$12.88 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $12.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| William Shakespeare Complete Works NEW by William Shake | |
 |
$53.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $53.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare BRAND NEW | |
 |
$24.77 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 41m Buy It Now for only: $24.77 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare The Complete Works New edition | |
 |
$50.66 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 7m Buy It Now for only: $50.66 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of Shakespeare 1878 William T Amies Scarlet Border Edition | |
 |
$15.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 9m |
| William Shakespeare The Complete Works by Random House 1952 | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare Complete Works 1850s Leatherbound Moroccan leather RARE | |
 |
$79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 1906 Complete Theater Card Set WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ++++ | |
 |
$24.95 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 52m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Complete Works of William Shakespeare 2 vol set | |
 |
$23.95 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 10m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 11 12 | |
 |
$26.44 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $26.44 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 9 10 W | |
 |
$26.53 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $26.53 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare With | |
 |
$35.21 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 32m Buy It Now for only: $35.21 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| SHAKESPEARE WORKS 1846 7 VOLS COMPLETE SUPERB GILT CALF | |
 |
$781.85 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 53m Buy It Now for only: $781.85 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW CD ROM THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE 4 WINDOWS | |
 |
$6.79 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $6.79 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| THE YALE SHAKESPEARE THE COMPLETE WORKS LIKE NEW 1993 | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 47m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 52m |
| SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE 1927 Comprising his Plays Poems | |
 |
$39.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 53m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SHAKESPEARE The Complete Works Annotated Globe Illustrated | |
 |
$14.25 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 18m |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare | |
 |
$1.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 45m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Henry VI Part II Arkangel Complete Shakespeare Series Audio Cassette New | |
 |
$12.00 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 9m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| the complete works of william shakespeare edited by WG Clark | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 12m |
| 2 Antique 1900 Complete Works WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Illustrated Vol 1 + 2 Book | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 15m |
| WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE COMPLETE WORKS HARDCOVER VG | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 44m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Oxford Shakespeare 1925 Book of Complete Works | |
 |
$35.27 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 48m Buy It Now for only: $35.27 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Complete Works of William Shakespeare | |
 |
$6.99 Time Remaining: 2d 55m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| NEW The Complete Works of William Shakespeare King Lea | |
 |
$20.05 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 22m Buy It Now for only: $20.05 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare with Temple Notes | |
 |
$125.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 29m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| The Yale Shakespeare Book Complete Works Cross Brooke | |
 |
$12.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 1952 Shakespeare The Complete Works G B Harrison HC | |
 |
$24.95 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 25m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Shakespeare The Complete Works | |
 |
$6.00 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 19m Buy It Now for only: $9.48 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| The Complete Works by William Shakespeare 1991 | |
 |
$8.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 37m |
| COMPLETE SONNETS STEVEN CROFT ET AL WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PAPERBACK NEW | |
 |
$24.69 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $24.69 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 1953 3Vol Complete Works of SHAKESPEARE Coronation Edn | |
 |
$78.96 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 28m Buy It Now for only: $78.96 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
|
|
2500 Keywords to Get You Hired Endorsed by the Professional Association of Resume WritersNow that 70 percent of job searches are conducted onl |
|
|
Beyond Basketball (Paperback) A collection of essays by the long-time head coach of the Duke University basketball team presents his personal philosophy on winning, losing, and sportsmanship, as well as motivational lessons that can be applied to the personal and professional arena... |
|
|
Best Keywords for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews Description not available. |
|
|
Keywords for the Crowley Tarot |
|
|
Keyword Intelligence (Paperback) A unique book on the art and science of keyword researchKeyword research can make or break a marketing campaign, an optimization strategy, and pay-per-click ad campaigns. Written by a keyword research expert, this essential resource drills ho... |
Reduced Shakespeare: Complete History of America (Abridged)
Shakespeare Plays
Among the Shakespeare Plays to be performed this summer in the Midwest is "The Tempest". The Michigan Shakespeare Festival will be performing "The Tempest" on July 14, 17, 19, 23, 25, and August 1st. To give you a little background on "The Tempest", I have included this very informative article.
The Tempest is the last complete play, which Shakespeare is believed to have written. In many ways it is unlike any other of his works. It is the only play, which faithfully observes the "unities" (time [less than 24 hours], place and plot-structure) described by Aristotle in his Poetics. The entire play (with the exception of the very first scene) is set on a fictional island, which almost seems alive with magic, both visual and aural. This dream-like setting provides the perfect atmosphere for the play's fantastical happenings.
While the island is a natural place, it is also otherworldly. By creating dream-like and semi-real images, Shakespeare evades representation of the world of materiality. This setting is utilized to explore themes ranging from social order and the supernatural to the conflict between 'civilized' man and nature. This can also be taken to represent the cruelty of the European colonists of the New World, which was beginning to become more accessible to settlers at the time the play was written. Few of Shakespeare's plays have plots so driven by the supernatural as The Tempest. Magic is the agent, which creates the conflict between the different characters or factions, but it is also the method by which the conflict is ended and Prospero achieves his goal. It can represent the characters denial of human rights and ignorance of the importance of uninfluenced human emotion, but also the dangers of self-indulgence and hunger for power. As well as being used to drive the plot and keep interest among the readers, it illustrates the basic themes of love, power and politics. Also, it helps us understand some deeper themes in the play, such as the blurring of the line
between illusion and reality. This effect is well illustrated by Alonso's words: 'If you be he [Prospero] or no,' near the end of the play, when he has been so tormented by the visions induced by Prospero's magic he has little ability to differentiate between what is real and what is not. Contrasts and reflections play a major role in The Tempest One good example was how some characters in the first act had their counterparts. Ariel had Caliban, and Gonzalo had Ferdinand. The relationship between Ariel and Caliban could clearly be seen throughout Act I, scene II. Ariel was the "airy spirit" that could assume different shapes, such as the lightning flames seen on the ship (Shakespeare 31), and who had quickness, lightness, grace, and total control over his actions. On the other hand, Caliban who represented the body, couldn't control his actions and thus made him the opposite of Ariel.
He even tried to rape Miranda once, but was stopped by Prospero in the process. In fact, it might even be safe to say that Caliban was anti-Ariel, being slow, stupid, and lazy. Gonzalo and Ferdinand were also contrasted in this act. In Act I, scene I lines 28-33, Gonzalo made fun of the boatswain by saying that he didn't look like the type to drown; instead he resembled more of the type to be hanged. Thus, implying that no one on the ship would drown. This gesture by Gonzalo showed that he was an optimistic person. On the other hand, after landing on the island in Act I, scene ii, Ferdinand grew worry of his father and immediately presumed he was dead. He even says that he was now the new King of Naples. Ferdinand's pessimism is evident in this regard.
From the contrasts between Ariel - Caliban, and Gonzalo - Ferdinand, one develops a character profile of the four and starts to recognize some ideas that Shakespeare was trying to bring about in The Tempest. Reflections in The Tempest can be seen as a pattern For instance, in almost every respect, Gonzalo's ideas on how best to govern an island relate directly in some form to Prospero's existing reign. Gonzalo, an honest sage, aging councilor first openly asserts his vision of a perfect society while meandering with his comrades on the sandy beach of some uninhabited, distant isle. Prospero's own notion on how a society should be set up and governed is evidenced most clearly through his current rule over the island he had long before washed ashore on. In William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Gonzalo's vision of ruling and maintaining a commonwealth mirrors that of the actual rule of Prospero. Caliban, in the beginning of the play, was the ruler of the island who is later overthrown by Prospero.
But he later tries to take revenge on his suppressor by killing him and never quite succeeds. Prospero mirrors Caliban's behavior. He was expelled from his dukedom and he later tries to take revenge but never quite succeeds. Such instances are many in the play. There are many different themes in the play. It would be prudent to look at a few themes and issues in this essay. The main themes in The Tempest are charity and reconciliation. Gonzalo is a key example of charity in the play. Initially, Gonzalo aids Prospero, when he is expelled from his kingdom, by providing him with food, drinks, and books on magic. When Alonso bewails that his son is allegedly dead, it is Gonzalo who consoles him by saying the island may yet be nice to them. Prospero also is considerate and forgiving. In the end, he demonstrates no vengeance to his enemies but instead amiably forgives them for their wrongdoings, after they ask forgiveness.
This theme of forgiveness is seen in act four, scene one almost immediately with the words of Prospero to Ferdinand "If I have too austerely punish'd you, / your compensation makes amends". It is also far from Prospero's initial attitude. Prospero goes through the motions of forgiveness, but his sincerity sometimes is lost. We see a grand masque after the forgiveness of Ferdinand in act four, and in the next act, we see a rather lame apology and acceptance. The comparison of nature and society in The Tempest is another essential subject. Caliban embodies a beast from nature and when compared to the just and civilized Prospero, one realizes the definite differences. However, Antonio and Sebastian, have been shaped by society and Caliban measures more favorable when compared to these two. A civilized man is favored over a crude beast, but a natural beast outshines a wanton outcome of society. The masque element of the play is also a very important theme, which incorporates the musical and visually stimulating elements that the reader sees throughout the play.
The use of flowery images such as "Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas/ Of wheat, rye.../ Thy turfy mountain" adds to the pleasure of the spectacle. The masque also breaks up the action for the reader and eliminates the notion of the play being morbid. This positive feel foretells of a happy ending. There is a human issue to consider. Prospero is a master and a Duke, but above all, he is a father. He demonstrates his love for his daughter by his constant warnings "if thou dost break her virgin knot before/ All sanctimonious ceremonies may/ with full and holy rite.../ no sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall.../ but barren hate". This indeed sounds like a threat, but it is easy to note that a father who loves his daughter is worried about her well-being. This human element propels the play to another level; that of empathy.
The use of magic throughout the play is very prominent and in this scene, the rest of the play's mild evidence of it is all brought together - "Spirits, which by mine art/ I have from their confines called to enact/ My present fancies". Prospero is clearly letting us know here, halfway through the masque, that this amazing spectacle is the pinnacle of his magical career. Throughout the play we have been treated to the tempest storm itself and now we see almost the climax of Prospero's magical ability. A feeling that could have been persistent in the reader's mind throughout act four (that of Prospero's power only reducing), is shown in act five where Prospero says in conclusion "Now my charms are all o'erthrown". A striking note in the play is that there is a relationship between each theme and the rest of the play.
Shakespeare chronicles the play through a very poetic style of writing which brings a very happy and enchanting mood through most of the play. For the most part the nobles speak in verse. Ariel, as a spirit, shows more variety: in giving information to his master, he will also speak in the conventional blank verse, as he does at length in condemning the "three men of sin" in III, iii. In other situations, or when he is expressing himself more spontaneously, Ariel will employ short lyrics, which we may suppose (from other characters' responses) to be sung or chanted. Caliban, surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), is also very poetic in language for the most part. It is clearly seen when he curses Prospero and when he contemplates about the pros and cons of language and its use to him.
At certain times, though, the tone becomes more serious, such as when Antonio and Sebastian plot murders, and the mood can also get quite comical, such as when the reader follows the drunken Stephano. In all the scenes involving interaction between Miranda and Ferdinand, there is a more romantic style of writing. For example, Ferdinand exclaims to Miranda, I, beyond all limit of what else I the world, do love, prize, honor you? (Act.3 Sc.1). Shakespeare's graceful style of writing gives a smooth tone throughout the play.
If you found this synopsis of "The Tempest" peeking your interest to attend a Shakespeare Plays season, and will be traveling to the Midwest, make sure to make arrangements to attend The Michigan Shakespeare Festival.
About the Author
If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about producing a concise, yet authentic Shakespeare Festival, you'll love everything else you find at The Michigan Shakespeare Festival