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The Tempest as a Romance
The Tempest as a Romance
The Tempest is a difficult play to categorize. Although it ends in a wedding and so it may be defined as a comedy, there are many serious characteristics that diminish the comedic tone. Instead, most modern anthologies of Shakespeare's works list this play as a romance. This separate division of romance includes some plays of his later years. The romances are plays with the potential for tragedy but in which these tragic elements are resolved.
The Tempest is a difficult play to categorize. Although it ends in a wedding and so it may be defined as a comedy, there are many serious characteristics that diminish the comedic tone. Instead, most modern anthologies of Shakespeare's works list this play as a romance. This separate division of romance includes some plays of his later years. The romances are plays with the potential for tragedy but in which these tragic elements are resolved.
With The Tempest, Shakespeare turns to fantasy and magic as a way to explore romantic love, and the love of a father for his child. In addition, The Tempest examines many of the topics that Shakespeare had focused on in his earlier plays, topics such as the attempts to overthrow a king (Macbeth), nature versus nurture (The Winter's Tale and King Lear), and innocence (Twelfth Night).
In many ways The Tempest serves as a culmination of Shakespeare's earlier work, since in this play, he brings many of these earlier ideas together in one work.
Have a look at the following words and expressions:
Now, meet the cast:
How are these characters related?
Prospero / Antonio:
Prospero / Miranda:
Ferdinand / Alonso:
Claribel / Sebastian:
Go to the British Council web page: learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk, watch the preparation video and, then, do the activities.
Key to the activities
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