Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

What does The Tempest perform? Clearly not a realistically compelling story, given the absence of major struggle or action-based conflict carried forward through its narrative: Prospero, we learn from 1.2 onwards, controls the action fairly completely, and even scenes of attempted struggle against his island rule are presented with ironic detachment. Nor would focusing on narrative account for much of the play's kinetic energy, which emanates from Prospero's magical manipulations. Instead, The Tempest works – when it works – as an allegory of some sort. Its performance becomes an occasion to meditate on some of the many issues suggested by the characters stranded in its imaginary terrain; it also provides an opportunity to rename Prospero's magic as that of the artists who imaginatively recreate its island adventure on stage, in print, and on screen. Be its symbolic resonance colonialist, theatrical, dynastic, or spiritual, The Tempest is most definitely a “meta”-event, and as such has inspired centuries of delight and debate. As a result, too, some of the most powerful productions have been the least “faithful,” challenging or translating the text's logic and sympathies to create brave new worlds. In this, The Tempest has managed to outshine the other late plays of Shakespeare with which it shares so many textual affinities. Indeed, it has come to perform so much and ... log in or subscribe to read full text