The Intro to Tempest

Well, in my opinion, this introduction was very much exhausting. I felt it should have been at the end because honestly it helped me to better understand the play. I was at the point where I found myself merely reading rather than comprehending, and I just had to take a deep breath and start over. I have learned that with Shakespeare this happens quite often. Does anyone else feel this way or am I the one lone soldier on this one?

Moving along, the first thing I noticed and enjoyed were the pictures. I absolutely LOVE pictures because I learn better with visuals rather than just words- it helps keep me focused while reading the introduction the second time I started it. My favorite pictures is on page 7 which features Ferdinand and Miranda. I find this picture so epic and so powerful and solid. It is exactly what I think of when I think of Ferdinand and Miranda is this play. Dramatic. Lustful. In love? I still don't know about this whole real love/ lust thing. Which do you think it is?

Also, I half expected the introduction to state what the play was about, and why skeptics believed there is only one way that the play can be interpreted. But I found quite the contrary. The introduction focused on that Prospero can be this amazing ruler or this annoying tyrant. Also, Caliban could be viewed as a savage or the comical relief for the play. The play is open for interpretation, which I think is fabulous because so many times society thinks there is only one way to approach literature. "the play tempts us to fill in the blanks" (11). I actually giggled out loud when I read that line during the introduction. "tempts us", "The Tempest", get it? I apologize for the corny jokes.

I also again, find it so exciting that this is a Shakespeare original. In addition to this still fascinating fact, the introduction points out little things which go unnoticed or without explanation such as Antonio's lack of apology to his brother.“It is important to observe that Antonio does not repent here – he is, indeed, not allowed to repent” ( 53) I just found this interesting. Did anyone else find any other "hidden" scenes which went unnoticed or where characters seemed to fall off the face of the page? (planet didn't seem necessary here)

I really did enjoy The Tempest but rather I feel I will never fully understand it until I see the play in person or the whole film. It will be a personal challenge of mine to make seeing this film a priority because I want to be an English teacher and if I am not confident and capable of understanding the material, all is lost.

Question: What was your favorite part of the introduction?