3.1.1
Overview
Overview of Act 1
Overview of Act 1
Here is an overview of the key ideas and themes of Act 1:
Exposition
Exposition
- Shakespeare knows that the exposition (giving the audience background information) of the play is incredibly important.
- He needed to grab the audience’s attention and hook them - particularly the groundlings (the part of the audience who stand in the pit, just in front of the stage) who will become bored very quickly.
Kings and treason
Kings and treason
- The monarch in The Tempest is good. We really dislike Antonio who not only usurps his brother (illegally takes his position) but also threatens the King’s life.
- The idea of regicide (killing a king) was a hot topic when The Tempest was first performed. This is because Guy Fawkes and other Catholics tried to assassinate King James I in 1605 whilst opening Parliament.
Colonies and discovery
Colonies and discovery
- During this period of colonisation, men such as Christopher Columbus were exploring the seas and finding New Worlds - much like Sycorax and Caliban’s island in The Tempest.
- In Act 1, Scene 2, Caliban describes how he welcomed the newcomers onto his island ('And showed thee all the qualities o’th’isle') but was ultimately exploited. This reflects the colonisers of the era.
1Key Words
2Context & Overview
2.1Context & Overview
3Act 1
3.1Act 1 Analysis
4Act 2
4.1Act 2 Analysis
5Act 3
5.1Act 3 Analysis
6Act 4
6.1Act 4 Analysis
7Act 5
7.1Act 5 Analysis
8Key Characters
8.1Major Characters
8.2Minor Characters
9Themes
10Authorial Method
10.1Authorial Method
Jump to other topics
1Key Words
2Context & Overview
2.1Context & Overview
3Act 1
3.1Act 1 Analysis
4Act 2
4.1Act 2 Analysis
5Act 3
5.1Act 3 Analysis
6Act 4
6.1Act 4 Analysis
7Act 5
7.1Act 5 Analysis
8Key Characters
8.1Major Characters
8.2Minor Characters
9Themes
10Authorial Method
10.1Authorial Method
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