Your tale, Sir, would cure deafness!

These words, spoken by the charming character Miranda as she listens to her father Prospero recount their past political misfortunes, are applicable to nearly everything Shakespeare presented on stage!

Whenever I attempt to review a beloved play by the Bard, I inevitably find myself rereading, pondering, and thinking. What does this mean to me at this particular moment in time? Why do I return to this play again? And why must I add to the countless words already spoken about the words of the master? Surely not to provide a scholarly analysis, as there are already more than enough. To summarize the plot, complete with a love story, intrigues, magic, early colonialism, and a happy ending? No, it is widely known or should be cherished firsthand without my interference. Nothing I say can make a difference.

Why does it matter to me? That is the question I strive to answer. In the vast ocean of thoughts about Shakespeare, there must be a single drop of water that is intended for me, and only me, spoken with the aim of making the tempest of my life more bearable!

When life treats me unfairly, I am grateful that Shakespeare gave me the quote: "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here."

When I feel trapped in a situation I cannot change, I identify with the puppy-headed monster Caliban and am glad that Shakespeare gave a voice to the underdogs of world history: "You taught me language, and my profit on't is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you for learning me your language!"

The independent soul of Caliban is revealed time and again, despite his unchanging physical dependence on different masters. He dares to speak his mind: "His spirits hear me and yet I needs must curse!"

The Tempest is a place filled with characters of a universal type, and I see my own world reflected in Trinculo's comical summary of the inhabitants: "The folly of this island! They say there's but five upon this isle. We are three of them; if th'other two be brained like us, the state totters!"

Whoever can speak such truth in such humorous words must love mankind despite its flaws and must himself believe in Prospero's inspiring words that we are "such stuff as dreams are made on," even though we often create nightmares. Prospero's daughter Miranda utters the quote that became a book in its own right, showing where dream and nightmare meet, utopia and dystopia merge, and create a "brave new world, that has such people in't!"

Where spirits like Ariel sing songs of incredible beauty, beginning with the suggestive lines of "Full Fathom Five Thy Father Lies," I will always feel at home. And I sense the spirit's longing almost physically when she simply states the only thing she desires for herself: "My liberty!"

I will conclude my love song for Shakespeare with Prospero: "My library was dukedom large enough!"

And of course, it must be filled with Shakespeare!

"Thought is free!"

His complexion is perfect gallows.

Today has been a day of disappointment. Firstly, with Goodreads and the removal of the Most Read Author function. It's truly disheartening to see such a useful feature disappear. Secondly, with my coworkers. Alas, my futile cries were quickly drowned out in the storm of my imagination as I delved into this play. When reading about shipwrecked royals and marriage masques filled with spirits and harpies, it is impossible not to think about race and perhaps immigration. There is a great deal of the "Other" in this story. There is also a significant amount of drinking and an all-too-neat love story.

Once again, the Bard balances the nobles and the commoners in a tale of an endless voyage, both on the sea and in the heavens, all embellished with the stuff of dreams. Shakespeare has a remarkable ability to create complex and multi-layered narratives that touch on various aspects of human nature and society. This play is no exception, as it explores themes such as power, love, and identity in a rich and engaging way. Despite its flaws, it still manages to captivate the reader's imagination and transport them to a world of magic and mystery.

I absolutely hate giving Shakespeare anything less than 5 stars, but unfortunately, this one is just not as good as some of his other masterpieces. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's because I read this right after Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, and I was still in a state of Shakespearean ecstasy.

I do like the interesting possibility that my Shakespeare teacher mentioned, which is that this play was written as a masque to be performed in front of a specific royal audience. That really makes a lot of sense.

(Also, by the way, where are all the retelling authors? I'm longing for some great retellings of The Tempest. You know what, forget it. I think I'll just write one myself.)

This is ultimately a great play that delves into the theme of imperialism and features memorable characters like Ariel and Caliban. However, I do wish Miranda had a more prominent role.

Ah, the eternal beauty and genius of Shakespeare will always shine through, no matter what.

4/5 stars.

Let's ignore how long it took for me to finish this.

I kept forgetting about it, whoops‼️

Anyway, Caliban and Stephano made me giggle.

Caliban, with his strange and wild nature, and Stephano, the drunk and bumbling character, their interactions were truly comical.

Caliban's attempts to serve Stephano and their misunderstandings added a lot of humor to the story.

It was有趣 to see how their relationship developed and how they got into various absurd situations.

Their antics brought a lighthearted and entertaining element to the otherwise complex plot.

Overall, Caliban and Stephano were two characters that really stood out and made me laugh out loud.

Considering this play is about a duke who is usurped and ends up a magician on an island, it isn’t that exciting. The story seems to lack the kind of intense drama and action that one might expect. I also don’t understand the appeal of Miranda. She was pretty milquetoast, lacking in strong character traits or a captivating personality. She just sort of exists in the story without really making a significant impact.

However, I can’t be too disparaging though, since this is the one where one of Shakespeare’s best lines came from. (Yes, I mean the “Hell is empty and all the devils are here” one.) This line is so powerful and evocative that it almost makes up for the other shortcomings of the play. It shows Shakespeare’s genius for creating memorable and meaningful language that can still resonate with audiences today.

Overall, while this play may not be one of Shakespeare’s most thrilling or engaging works, it does have its moments of brilliance, and that one line alone is enough to make it值得 remembering.

Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest, is truly a stroke of genius. It defies easy categorization as it is a unique hybrid of tragedy, comedy, and fantasy. This remarkable work condenses The Bard's genius through the symbolical representation of the world, incorporating the demirugical elements of Greek mythology.

The setting is an exotic island where Prospero and his stunningly beautiful daughter Miranda have lived in exile for twelve years. Overthrown by his treacherous brother, Prospero has used his supernatural powers to crown himself ruler of the island and has usurped it from its native inhabitants, embodied by the slave Caliban. With the help of the loyal spirit Ariel, he summons a violent storm that causes the ship carrying his brother and his retinue to wreck on the reefs of his wild domain. A strange adventure then unfolds from destruction and loss, and as if by divine providence, the dead seem to resurrect and are given a second chance in the realms of songs and imagination.

The moral journey of the characters reflects the interconnectedness of the natural elements - earth, water, wind, and fire - in the never-ending cycle of life. Pagan symbols coexist with Christian imagery, enhancing the procreative forces. Death leads to rebirth, and there is also the generational replacement as the old fades away in the new. Prospero forgives and abandons his plans for revenge, and as a sign of his good will, he renounces his magic, becoming the virtuous master celebrated by Montaigne in his essays and a mere mortal subject to the inescapable passage of time. Thus, the emphasis is not on the promise of eternal life but on the transience of a changing world that alternates between reality and illusion.

Prospero’s kind treatment of his lifelong enemies contrasts with his harsh treatment of Caliban, which has been interpreted as an allegory of colonialism or even racial bigotry. However, this simplifies the complexity of a play that takes the game of scenes and characters to the极限 of what words can express. Musical alliterations, rhymes, and riddles infuse the language of this dreamland, leaving the reader torn between reason and mysticism. Words are the true “rough magic” and the “art” that rules in Prospero’s kingdom. When he gives them up, the inevitable question arises: Is Prospero’s resignation a metaphor for the playwright’s final retirement? Is The Tempest a valedictory play as many critics and scholars have assumed?

An answer may be found in the Epilogue. The author begs for applause and appeals to the audience’s forgiveness, as his aim was to entertain. Mimicking a religious prayer, he bids farewell and hopes that his masters will follow Prospero’s selfless act and grant him freedom. And we do, of course. But, as if by some magic spell, his presence still lingers, lurking in the corner of every page we turn, talking back to us and shaking his head, with an indulgent smile on his lips, not unlike that of a father who has finally accepted the flaws of his children.

“Retire me to my Milan, where / Every third thought shall be my grave.” At first glance, this seems like a rather gloomy view of old age. However, it may not be so straightforward. Prospero's first and second thoughts are still dedicated to other things, perhaps his daughter Miranda and, hopefully, his library, which he once considered "dukedom large enough" before his devious brother dethroned him. Nevertheless, it is clear that "The Tempest," one of Shakespeare's last plays, is all about saying goodbye.

Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan, was ousted by his treacherous brother Antonio, with the help of the king of Naples, Alonso. He managed to reach a desolate island, where he raised his infant daughter Miranda and gained control over the deformed Caliban, the rightful owner of the island, as well as Ariel and other spirits. There, he plotted his revenge. The eponymous tempest was created by Prospero's magic, with the help of Ariel, to bring his former enemies to the island and teach them a lesson. But in the process, Prospero himself learned the value of mercy and chose reconciliation instead of punishment.

One might be tempted to see Prospero as Shakespeare's alter ego. Just as Prospero's magic allows him to create a world of spirits and make others believe in illusions, Shakespeare's genius enables him to bring long-dead heroes and fictional creatures to life and captivate audiences. However, like Prospero, Shakespeare may have grown old and lonely, his imagination fading, longing for rest and peace.

Despite the beauty of Shakespeare's language and the thought-provoking questions he raises in "The Tempest," such as those related to European colonization and good governance, I have the impression that this highly praised play does not quite measure up to some of his other renowned works. The play has three plot strands, but it is too short to fully develop any of them, resulting in a somewhat flat narrative. Although Prospero is an interesting and complex character, he does not reach the level of King Lear in terms of depth and moral conflict. At the end, when Prospero asks for the audience's applause, I am ready to comply, but with mixed feelings. While I am still charmed by Shakespeare's language and wonder what will happen to the island, another part of me cannot help but think that "The Tempest" may have received more praise than it actually merits.

Shakespeare's play "The Tempest", which is regarded as his last play, is a play that reminds one of his "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with its supernatural characters and "Twelfth Night" with its light structure. The play tells the revenge of Prospero, who is unable to get over his brother's betrayal and is imprisoned on an island with his daughter. Themes such as love, betrayal, good and evil are explored in the play. Shakespeare, who also focuses on the power struggles in the background with Prospero, who brings the ship of the kingdom where his brother is also located to the island where they are with a storm, adds an iconic character to the history of art with Caliban, who is presented as the native and the monster of the island. However, the novel, which draws a line far from being impressive with its finale where Prospero forgives everyone, unfortunately did not have a great impact on me because it was not as cleverly constructed as "Twelfth Night". After reading the work in which the reader is given that there is no limit to evil, I recommend you to visualize the play by watching the 2010 film adaptation of the same name. My full score: 3.5/5.

Istanbul, Türkiye

19.12.2018

Alp Turgut

http://www.filmdoktoru.com/kitap-labo...

"El sueño no acude al dolor; cuando lo hace, consuela."

This profound statement by Shakespeare truly captivated me. His works are known for their intensity and humor, and this one is no exception.

In this particular piece, I was thoroughly entertained, especially when Ariel made his appearances. His character added a touch of magic and charm that was simply irresistible.

Without a doubt, Ariel is the best character in this work. His actions and words brought a smile to my face and made me appreciate Shakespeare's genius even more.

The way he weaves together themes of pain, consolation, and the power of dreams is truly remarkable.

Overall, this work of Shakespeare is a masterpiece that I will continue to cherish and revisit time and time again.

I firmly believe that this particular play is the most exquisitely written among all of Shakespeare's works, regardless of the genre it belongs to. Whether it be tragedy, comedy, or tragi-comedy, nothing can surpass the enchanting magic it weaves within the audience. Shakespeare, with his remarkable words, is truly capable of casting a spell. Reading it brings tears to my eyes.

I consider Prospero to be one of the more poignant characters. Perhaps mainly because of the parallel that can be drawn to Shakespeare himself. The final speech cuts right to the core. The maestro, at the zenith of his abilities, bidding farewell to his audience. Oh God, this is precisely why Shakespeare is Shakespeare. This play is a masterpiece that showcases his unrivaled genius and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who experience it.

It is a work that will be cherished and studied for centuries to come, a testament to the power of language and the artistry of one of the greatest playwrights in history.

Genial esta obra de Shakespeare. It is truly a remarkable piece of work.

Original. Divertida. It is not only original but also highly entertaining.

Con buena psicología y buenos personajes. The psychological depth and well-developed characters add to its charm.

Incluye al famosa frase: “El infierno está vacío, todos los demonios están aquí “. It also includes the famous phrase: “Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.” This phrase alone has become an iconic part of the work, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue.

Overall, this Shakespearean work is a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of entertainment, psychology, and memorable characters.

As part of the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, I had the task of reading a play. And what could be a better choice than “The Tempest” after recently reading and adoring Margaret Atwood’s retelling in “Hag-Seed.” Reading the original again has given me an even deeper appreciation of “Hag-Seed.” It has been over twenty years since I last delved into Shakespeare. I found it both challenging to understand the Old English and yet thematically highly relevant to the modern day.

This play is set on an island where the magician Prospero and his daughter Miranda have resided for the past 12 years, ever since Prospero’s exile from his dukedom in Milan. The only other inhabitant during this time is Calaban, the son of the evil witch Sycorax. Ariel, a fairy, serves Prospero. Calaban, having attempted to rape Miranda, is enslaved by Prospero. Prospero conjures a tempest that shipwrecks his enemies on the island. He scatters them, so that Ferdinand, the king’s son, meets Miranda and they fall in love under Ariel’s spell. Gonzalo, Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian land together. Meanwhile, Antonio and Sebastian plot against Alonso’s life, believing Ferdinand is dead. Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano form an alliance to murder Prospero and take over the island. Finally, all the characters come together. Prospero, urged by Ariel, forgives everyone and peace is restored. Prospero, a thinly veiled representation of Shakespeare himself, asks for applause to end his imprisonment.

The play represents the duality of humanity and the world. Themes such as good vs evil, magical vs earthly, land vs sea, honest vs dishonest, free vs imprisoned, and sober vs drunk are pervasive. I loved the incorporation of music, poetry, and magic. The themes and structure of the play are undeniably brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and discovered many unique features that distinguish it from some of Shakespeare’s other works I have read.