The main themes in shakespeares the tempest = các chủ đề chính trong tác phẩm bão tố của shakespeare

vinh university Foreign Languages department ===    === Lê thị h-ơng The main themes in Shakespeare s the tempest (Các chủ đề tác phẩm BÃo tè Shakespeare) Graduation thesis Field: Literature Vinh - 5/2008 =  = Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest vinh university foreign Languages department ===    === The main Themes in Shakespeare’ s the tempest (C¸c chủ đề tác phẩm BÃo tố Shakespeare) graduation thesis Field: Literature Student: lê thị h-ơng Supervisor: M.A trần ngọc t-ởng Vinh - 5/2008 Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest =  = Acknowledgement For the completion of this thesis, I receive a lot of the help and invaluable contribution from many people because of my private limited knowledge and some difficulties in the writing style of the author and literature language First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, the teacher TRAN NGOC TUONG (M.A) who helped me and gave me a lot of initiate the ideas for my thesis Secondly, I would like to thank very much to the Directorial Board of the Foreign Language Department that awarded me the opportunity to this thesis My warmest thanks are due to my parents, my two older sisters for their support and encouragement Finally, I would also like to extent sincere thanks to my friends for their invaluable suggestions and comments for my thesis Due to the help of all above-mentioned people, I can finish this thesis Vinh, 2008 Lê Thị H-ơng Lê Thị H-¬ng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest Table of content Content Page Acknowledgement i Table of contents ii Part A Introduction I The Rationales of choosing the thesis II The aims and objectives of the thesis III The method of the thesis IV The scope of the thesis V Design of the thesis Part B Content Chapter I: Background 1.1 England in the Renaissance 1.1.1 What is the Renaissance? 1.1.2 What is meant by “ Renaissance?” 1.1.2.1 Renaissance that means the revival interest in Greek and Roman literatures 1.1.2.2 Renaissance: The discovery of the world and the human beings 1.1.2.3 Renaissance: The awaking of men‟ s mind, the awaking of individual spirit and secularism 1.2 William Shakespeare‟ s life and career 1.2.1 His life 1.2.2 His career Chapter II: Shakespeare’ s works themes 12 2.1 Love in Shakespeare‟ s Comedies 12 2.2 Friendship 14 Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest 2.3 Women‟ s bravery in love and in life 15 2.4 Repentance and Forgiveness 17 Chapter III: The main themes in Shakespeare’ s “ The Tempest” 20 3.1 Shakespeare‟ s “ The Tempest” 20 3.1.1 A brief summary of “ the Tempest” 20 3.1.2 Some main characters in the play 21 3.1.3 Source of the play 22 3.1.4 Date was first printed 22 3.1.5 The settings for the play 22 3.2 The main themes in Shakespeare‟ s “ The Tempest” 22 3.2.1 Love 22 3.2.1.1 Love between man and man 22 3.2.1.2 Love between daughter and father 24 3.2.1.3 Love between man and woman 25 3.2.2 Friendship 27 3.2.3 Freedom 30 3.2.4 Repentance 31 3.2.5 Forgiveness 33 Part C Conclusion 38 Suggestion for further studies 40 Reference Books 41 Part A Introduction I The Rationales of choosing the thesis When being a pupil, I was very interested in learning Vietnam literature Especially, when becoming a student and approaching to English literature, I feel not easily to understand it So, this is a good opportunity for Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest me to study more not only about English literature but also about English society, people and country Besides, in process of studying English literature, I usually face many difficulties in understanding the English literature It seems to challenge for me to discover Moreover, literature is the truthful mirror of social life Each period in history of English literature is a lifelike picture about people and society Therefore, I usually study England history, especially, England in the Renaissance by studying plays of typical writer- William Shakespeare All the above things are the main rationale for choosing my graduation thesis II The aims and objectives of the thesis 2.1 The aims When studying this thesis, firstly, I want to understand more not only English literature but also English people, society, and country in the first half of 18th century Furthermore, to understand more about Shakespeare„ s life and career, his outlook and his contribution to English Renaissance literature, and to understand more about his last comedy - “ The Tempest” Secondly, I can improve my English language, vocabulary and especially English literature language 2.2 The objects The theme: “ Love, Friend, Women‟ s bravery in love and in life, Repentance, Forgiveness” in comedy of Shakespeare will introduce in this thesis To study the themes: Love, Friendship, Repentance, Freedom and Forgiveness in play “ The Tempest” Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest III The method of the thesis 3.1 Studying documents dealing with the thesis 3.2 Analysis method “ The themes and characters of plays” 3.3 Making best use of lectures on the course of English literature 3.4 Making the best use of help of the supervisor- M.A Tran Ngoc Tuong IV The scope of the thesis - Studying the Renaissance, English in the Renaissance - Studying Shakespeare‟ s life and career - Studying special themes in Shakespeare‟ s Comedy such as: Love, Friendship, Women‟ s bravery, Repentance and Forgiveness, Focusing on four themes: Love, Friendship, Repentance, Freedom, and Forgiveness in play “ The Tempest‟ by Shakespeare through some main characters: Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, Ferdinand, Alonso, Antonio and other some characters, and also, through some situations in the play V Design of the thesis Chapter I: Background 1.1 England in the Renaissance 1.2 English Renaissance 1.2.1 What is the Renaissance? 1.2.2 What is meant by “ Renaissance” ? 1.3 William Shakespeare’ s life and works 1.3.1 His life 1.3.2 His works Chapter II: Shakespeare’ s works themes 2.1 Love in Shakespeare s Comedies Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest 2.2 Friendship 2.3 Women‟ s bravery in love and in life 2.4 Repentance and Forgiveness Chapter III: The main themes in Shakespeare’ s “ The Tempest” 3.1 Shakespeare’ s “ The Tempest” 3.1.1 A brief summary of “ The Tempest” 3.1.2 Some main characters 3.1.3 Source of the play 3.1.4 Date was first printed 3.1.5 The settings for the play 3.2 The main themes in Shakespeare’ s “ The Tempest” 3.2.1 Love 3.2.2 Friendship 3.2.3 Freedom 3.2.4 Repentance 3.2.5 Forgiveness Conclusion References Part B Content Chapter I Background 1.1 England in the Renaissance 1.1.1 What is the Renaissance? Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest England entered the Renaissance later than Italia and other countries in Western Europe but became the most prosperous and important European country Because England in the Renaissance had a lot of growths and changes in all aspects of society, especially, there was great change in religious, economy, politics, and society For change in religious, the Protestant Reformation had occurred well in 1517 Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Germany declared their independence from the Catholic Church, and later in 1536 when Henry VIII declared English‟ s independence from Rome Therefore, it was barely conceivable that the works would not have strong traditional Christian overtones Perhaps because there was so much religious ferment in Europe that had resulted in extraordinary persecution and bloodshed on all sides The Renaissance marked the beginning of capitalism through the formation of capital holding companies that engaged in expensive and risky trade with Russia, the Far East, and other remote trading sites For instance, The Muscovy Company, the East India Company and the West India Company all, from time to from time, provided handsome profits for their investors So, London became a ideal city for everybody throughout England and during the sixteenth century London approximately doubled its size to 200,000 inhabitants, the Renaissance most of the English population resided in rural areas Cities were crowded, considered dirty and often dangerous and especially, the greatest problem was public hygiene For change in politics, there was also no organized police force as we conceive it today; England was, of course, a monarchy Elizabeth I came to the throne at the age of 25 on the death of her half-sister, Mary, in 1558 Elizabeth reigned until 1603, when upon her death her cousin, James I, who was also King of Scotland was coroneted James ruled until 1625 and was succeeded by his son Charles I Both Elizabeth and James were relatively Lê Thị H-¬ng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest good monarchs Elizabeth was strong and certainly capable of making hard and difficult decisions However, perhaps because she was a woman, she was less functionally arrogant than most of her contemporary monarchs Although she was Queen of England, she shared some of her rule with Parliament, a body made of men chosen to represent the various areas of England The Renaissance was also marked by numerous advancements in what we would call technology The most important, the invention of printing, took place in 1455, over one hundred years before Shakespeare was born, and first came to England in 1475, when William Caxton set up a printing press in Westminster near Westminster Abbey The effects of printing were widespread but not as rapid as they might suppose The percentage of people who could read and write slowly grew as books became less expensive and more available 1.1.2 What is meant by “ Renaissance?” Jules Michelle, a French historian, first used the term “ Renaissance” means literally “ Rebirth” The term “ Renaissance” means not only “ The revival of interest in Greek and Roman literatures” but also “ the discovery of the world and human beings” , more than that; it implies “ The awaking of man‟ s mind and capacity, of individual spirit and secularism” 1.1.2.1 Renaissance that means the revival interest in Greek and Roman literatures In the fact that, in the Middle Age, there were less people read and studied Greek and Roman literatures, because scholars were written by hand on parch made of animal skins So, they could hardly one read and study However, thanks to technological achievements such as to invent the printing machine in the Renaissance, therefore, the number of people read and Lê Thị H-ơng Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest In the fact that, when Shakespeare wrote the play “ The Tempest” , in British‟ s society, prince weddings usually were political premeditates that served authorities‟ benefits But, Miranda and Ferdinand‟ s marriage in “ The Tempest” reflected the naive of two characters They belong to a new world, which was better and progressive Shakespeare wants to appreciate their happiness more important than their feud and political benefits At the end of the play, the love between Miranda and Ferdinand wiped distance two families in the past This is demonstrated that young generation‟ s innocent and belief are stronger than old generation‟ s ambition and malignity 3.2.2 Friendship Friendship is another theme found in this play Everyone seems to be living in a warm world of friendship For me, it is certain that Shakespeare is person who set great store by friendship, so, he can write about how warm and beautiful friendships But, not as other friendships in some plays of Shakespeare, the friendship between Prospero and Ariel in “ The Tempest” is very particularly They treat each other as father and son Their friendship bases on gratitude for the help in the trouble and belief each other Specially, that is a friendship with no distinction of class, position and age One of the typical men for generous, kind and gifted in Shakespeare‟ s comedies is Prospero Prospero is the play's protagonist and Miranda's father, 12 years ago; Prospero was the duke of Milan His brother, Antonio, in concert with Alonso, king of Naples to usurp him, they force him to flee in a boat with his daughter The honest lord Gonzalo aided Prospero in his escape Prospero has spent his twelve years on an island studying the magic that gives him the power he needs to punish and reconcile with his enemies He used the power of this art, set free many wood spirits that Sycorax had shut up into the bodies of largest trees because they had refused to her wicked commands Lª Thị H-ơng 31 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeares The Tempest These gently spirits obey the order of Prospero after they were shut up One of these Ariel was the chief because he was the most intelligent and knowledge Now, Ariel served for prospero with deepest grateful heart For Prospero and Ariel, the initial time, their relationship is master and servant: “ Well, my brave spirit How have you performed your task?” (Act I, scene 3) But, Prospero‟ s belief for Ariel quickly improved So, he entrusted Ariel with every jobs as teaching Miranda, managing other spirits, and looking for Caliban, etc Ariel tries his best to complete his duties to help Prospero has much time improving his magic He always made by requirement of Prospero And Prospero never forgot to thanks Ariel for his service Ariel takes this moment to remind Prospero of his promise to take one year off of his agreed time of servitude if Ariel performs his service without complaint Giving a servant‟ s requirement never happened for a master I think that, they were dearly as relatives, even a family, so, Ariel could say his wish that no spirits could require Ariel considers Prospero as a benefactor, a good master, even his father, especially, a good friend; therefore, Ariel never makes Prospero desponently For Prospero, he also considers Ariel as Miranda, a member of his family, and his a good friend who always helps him in difficult situations When Ariel gives a idea that he wants to free, he does not lash out a Ariel In the contrast, he sympathizes with Ariel‟s thirst, but now he still needs the help of Ariel to complete his plan And Ariel feels to blame his requirement, so, he said: “ Pardon me, dear master, Ashamed to seem unthankful, I will obey your commands” (Act I, scene2) Lª Thị H-ơng 32 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeares The Tempest Prospero is very intelligent and profound, he commands his spirits following his order, but he behaves well for them and to promise their wishes Besides, we affirm that, he is as promulgated as inmost feeling in order to submit them the most effectives As a result, they would not complain and serve with all Prospero‟ s heart However, he has never abuse spirits‟ confidence, he is considering them as good friends, especially, that is Ariel Ariel is a Prospero's spirit, a powerful supernatural being whom Prospero controls completely Rescued by Prospero from a long imprisonment (within a tree) at the hands of the witch Sycorax, Ariel is Prospero's servant until Prospero decides to release him He is mischievous and ubiquitous, able to traverse the length of the island in an instant and change shapes at will Ariel carries out virtually every task Prospero needs accomplished in the play Moreover, thanks to Ariel‟ s helps, Prospero defeats completely a Caliban‟ s scheme that Caliban wants to kill Prospero and to occupy Miranda and island In addition, Ariel is a kind and knowledge person, when seeing repentance of Antonio and Alonso, Ariel talks his master that their sorrow is real, and that he, though a spirit, can pity them Prospero asks that, “ if you, who are but a spirit, feel for their grief, shall not I, who am a human being like themselves, have pity on them? Bring them, quickly, my pretty Ariel.” (Act IV, scene 4), We feel that Ariel is a important spirit for Prospero, thus, he believes Ariel and also said these speech And at the end of the play, Prospero is really sad when saying good-bye with truthful spirit and good friend: “ My pretty Ariel, I shall miss you; Yet you shall have your freedom: so, so, so (Act V, scene5) Lê Thị H-ơng 33 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest In short, through “ The Tempest” Shakespeare wants to praise their warm friendship, a friend without distinction of position and class He praises beautiful life with good people and justice life Man live in new world where is better and happier living 3.2.3 Freedom Freedom is a new and progressive theme in Shakespeare‟ s play Although, it is not by chance Shakespeare describes it in “ The Tempest” It is fact that, it deals with some historical events at that time When England discovered some islands, and lands, citizens there became servants of England‟ s people Thus, he writes this play to reflect truthful life and social reality under the rule of the British, and also he expresses their wishes for freedom for that rule That is reflected a character- Ariel Ariel is a mischievous airy spirit in “The Tempest” and Prospero; the former duke of Milan is Ariel‟s master Prospero helps him freely, and to escape Sycorax‟s magic And Ariel becomes a servant of Prospero He makes all of jobs that his master entrusts for him Prospero behaves him very well, and he tries to his duties However, he always thirsts for freedom, thus, Ariel complains with his master is why he was he not free: “ Is there more work? Let me call to your memory, master You have promised me my freedom I have done you faithful service, told you no lies, Made no mistakes, Served you without evil word or thought.” (Act I, scene2) Ariel is a not ungrateful spirit; Ariel‟ s speech shows he longs to freedom to everything that he wants But, Prospero reminds him that his Lê Thị H-ơng 34 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest work is payment for being freed from a tee- trunk in which Sycorax imprisoned him Prospero said: “ I must tell what you have been, which I find you have forgotten This bad witch, Sycorax, for her witchcrafts, too terrible for human ears, was driven from Algiers, and here left by the sailors, and because you were a spirit too soft to her wicked commands, she shut you up in a tree, where I found you howling This pain, remember, I free you from.” In this speech, we are lead to Ariel had to suffered detain during a long time by Sycorax Therefore, he always wishes free to go to anywhere, but he is truthful spirit and he also knows Prospero is a good master, so he restrained his wish to help his master a last duty At the last, a kind spirit was compensated for his works, and before Prospero left the island, he let Ariel go from his service, to the great joy of that lively little spirit For, though he had been a faithful servant to his master, he was always longing to enjoy his freedom, to wander without a master in the air, like a wild bird, under green trees, among pleasant fruits, and sweet-smelling flowers He said: “ When I am free, how merrily I shall live” (Act V, scene 5) In brief, through Ariel, Shakespeare expresses his wish for people‟ s life He wishes people get freedom, peace, and justice in society Men live together without distinction between rich and poor, white and colour, etc They had the right to decide their life and to everything what they want 3.2.4 Repentance In the life, everyone commits some mistakes; but it is the most important, they really realize their mistakes and correct it to become a better person There are many works that Shakespeare expresses it through his characters In “ The Tempest” , he concentrates describing repentance of two characters Alonso and Antonio through their speech and action Lê Thị H-ơng 35 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest Alonso is the King of Naples He is returning from Tunis in Africa where he marries his daughter to the local King Twelve years previous, he helped Antonio to usurp the Dukedom of Milan from his brother Prospero He has to take responsibility for Antonio‟ s fault If he weren‟ t in collusion with Prospero‟ s brother, Antonio wouldn‟ t have opportunity to betray his older brother So, Prospero creates a storm to carry out his plan He takes Ferdinand to his place with the aim to Alonso thinks that Ferdinand is died Alonso‟ s initial reaction is not profound regret for his mistakes in the past because he thinks that Prospero is died It seems that Alonso‟ s only true regret is that his betrayal of Prospero results in the loss of his son- Ferdinand Prospero sees Alonso‟ s image to suffer great misery because of without news about his son, Prospero understands that Alonso is a good father But only when Alonso begs his forgiveness, he really forgives for Alonso And he talks with Alonso that his son still alive No joy could have been greater than the joy of the father and the son at this unexpected meeting, for they each thought the other drown in the storm And the King of Naples is almost as much to astonish at the beauty and excellent graces of the young Miranda as his son has been and he is surprised more when knowing Miranda is a daughter of Prospero Alonso embraces his son and daughter- in- law to be and begs Miranda‟ s forgiveness for the treacheries of twelve years ago The King is more and more blaming and repentance, he said: “ Then I must be her father But oh! How strangely will it sound? That I must ask my child forgiveness.” (Act V, scene 5) Prospero silences Alonso‟ s apologies, insisting that the reconciliation is complete Lê Thị H-ơng 36 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest For Antonio took advantage of Prospero's absorption in his studies to steal his Dukedom 12 years earlier But, no stopping here, on the island, Antonio wastes no time demonstrating that he is still power-hungry and murderous, persuading Sebastian to help him kill Alonso Alonso is person with great ambition, cunning designs However, before Prospero‟ s magic and power, he must give up his scheme and to return his position Antonio with tears, and sad words of sorrow and true shame, begs his brother‟ s forgiveness, and Prospero forgives him and he uses kind words to comfort his brother, so Antonio is more shame and more sorrow that he is unable to speak After analyzing the image of Alonso and Antonio in the play, we clearly see that they had ever mistakes in the past, but they repented very much Moreover, they corrected their mistakes and to beg the forgiveness of Prospero Shakespeare praises commonsense, and justice in current life Through his plays and characters, Shakespeare expresses his wish for better world where man live generously and humaneness each other 3.2.5 Forgiveness Shakespeare is a great humanist; he therefore, always wants to turn toward his characters good behavior and characteristics We can see image of Shakespeare in action and attitudes of Prospero A person is kind, generous heart, capable of elevating everyone This is humanism in Shakespeare‟ s works - his simply wish about a better life And through Prospero, we will see forgiveness, which is the most prominent feature in the play- “ The Tempest” Edward Dutton says that there is a “ theory that Prospero in the Tempest represents Shakespeare himself,” (Dutton, 152) And many scholars agree that, “ The Tempest” is a play about reconciliation, forgiveness, and faith in future generation It is fact that, although he passes all hard work, including Lê Thị H-ơng 37 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest the death because of betrayal of his brother who corporate with king of Naples to occupy his Kingdom and a servant who he teaches his language and mannerisms, but he still forgives all of their mistakes at the end of the play In the most important Christian lesson on the true nature of forgiveness set a standard for forgiveness which can be found in Christ‟ s Sermon on the Mouth: But I say to unto you which here, love your Enemies, good to them, which hate you Bless them that curse you, and pray for them Which despise you For if ye love them? Which love you, what thank have ye? For Sinners also even the same But love Your enemies, and good, and lend, Hoping for nothing again (Luke 6, l.27)(4) (4):Source:http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/forgiveness and reconciliation.html Prospero‟ s conduct in the play seems to contradict the basis tenets of Christian forgiveness Thanks to Ariel and his magic, he knows his enemies who are returning from the king of Naples‟ daughter‟ s marriage in Tunis Prospero seizes this opportunity to revenge, he creates a great storm to sink the ship, but it is true that he doesn‟ t intent to harm anyone on the ship, and asks his servant sprite with all sincerity: “ But are they, Ariel, safe?” (Act I, Scene 1) Before he offers them his forgiveness, Prospero wants to them suffer a agony like his suffer for their crimes by the loss of Prince Ferdinand when he Lª Thị H-ơng 38 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeares The Tempest makes them to believe that there is a horrible disaster happening with Ferdinand and he died After he emerges triumphant and is, now mournful and “ penitent” , pay for transgression on their face, Prospero feels himself freedom and happiness to forgive those who sinned against him And later in the play Ariel talks his master he is certainly that their sorrow is real, and that he, though a spirit cannot help pitying them: “ The good old lord, Gonzalo His tears run down his beard” (Act V, scene1) “ Then bring them here, Ariel” said Prospero, “ If you, who are but a spirit, feel for their grief, shall not I, who am a human being like themselves, have pity on them? Quickly, my pretty Ariel.” This illustrates that Prospero is a fair person who knows to distinguish what is right or wrong But only when he finally confronts king Alonso, Seastian, and Antonio and announces that he is the Duke of Milan, Prospero really forgives for them This exchange of pleasantries confirms Prospero‟ penchant forgiveness and reconciliation of two men and illustrates Prospero is a fair, straightforward person, he is a kind- hearted ruler and the vengeance isn‟ t only target in his life When he has seen Alonso‟ s tears and sadness on his face for the loss of his son, he understands that Alonso is a kind father and legitimate For Antonio- his wick brother, he feels very sad because it is not sadness greater than when his brother betrays him, who have the heart to murder his old brother and small nephew The audience also feels indignant and dissatisfied with Antonio‟ s crimes But, when seeing his tears and begging for mercy of his brother, he feels great anguish and pity for Antonio And he said: Lê Thị H-ơng 39 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest “ No more of that, Let us not remember our troubles past, Since they so happily have ended.” (Act V, scene1) And then Prospero kisses his brother, and again gives him his forgiveness, and says that over- ruling God permits him to be driven from his poor dukedom of Milan, that his daughter may has got the crown of Naples, that is the most wish in his life The themes of forgiveness in the play also consider Prospero‟ s treatment of Caliban When he came to the island, he taught Calian his language and mannerisms At the beginning Caliban welcomed Prospero, he was gratitude for Prospero‟ s concerning for him: “ Thou strok‟ st me, and made much of me” (Act I scene 2) Caliban showed Prospero “ all the qualities o‟ th‟ island ” (Act I, scene 2.l.339) But Caliban behaves by his natural instincts, tries to ravage Miranda It is a wicked action of Caliban, it is based on biological urge, he does not intent to kill Miranda but his natural instincts prod him into ravaging Miranda, and we consider his action as the crimes of a child Caliban is “ unlike the incontinent man, whose appetites subdue his will and the malicious man whose will is perverted to evil ends” (Kermode xlii) Caliban is in fact “ the bestial man no sense of right or wrong and therefore sees no difference between good and evil” (5) (5):Source:http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/forgivenessandreconciliation.htl It is also true that Caliban is guilty of planning the murder of prospero after he finds a new master; Stephano who he believes will treat him better than prospero But, Prospero understands that Caliban‟ s bad behavior is like that of a child of nature, difficult to educate and act as an animal, he doesn t Lê Thị H-ơng 40 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest know clearly about matter happening and everybody around him and Prospero only forgives him with a command: “ Go, sir rah, to my cell; Take with your companions; as you look To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.” (Act 5.scene1, l.292) And then, Prospero buries deep his magical books and stick in the earth, because he does not want to abuse the magic art Thus, he overcomes his enemies, and being united to his brother and the king of Naples Now, nothing remains to complete his happiness, but to see again his native land, to take possession of his dukedom, and to be present at the happy marriage of his daughter, Miranda and Prince Ferdinand Through the play, we understand that Prospero is not only intelligent but also kind and fair person Actually, Forgiveness is the most prominent element in this play Lª Thị H-ơng 41 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeares The Tempest Part C Conclusion William Shakespeare (1564- 1616), English poet and playwright wrote the famous 154 Sonnets and numerous highly successful of quoted dramatic works including the comedy of the Tempest “ In the last tempest I perceive these lords At this encounter so much admire That I am Prospero and that very duke Which was thrust forth of Milan, who most strangely” (Act V, scene 1) He was famous dramatist with wonderful comedies, tragedies and histories, in those plays “ All human life is there” There are the lower, middle and upper class people are described like kings, queens, prince, merchants, soldiers, servants, money- lenders, murderers, and so on His plays reflect struggles between good and sad, the distances between happiness and sadness and the opposites of light and darkness And his types of characters are displayed lively There are many famous tragedies characters such as Othello, King Lear, Romeo, Lady Macbeth, Juiet, Cleopatra, ect And especially, the unforgettable comedies characters are Bassanio, Valentine, Hermia, Portia, Hero, Beatrice, etc But, in this thesis, we only concentrated on some characters in the play The Tempest as Miranda, Prospero, Ariel, Ferdinand, Antonio and Alonso All these characters are displayed in the themes Love between Miranda and Ferdinand deleted fault of prior generation And beautiful friendship between Prospero and Ariel, a friendship has not distance, position, between master and servant but they are ready very closely Besides, freedom theme is particularly one in the play Ariel and other spirits always Lê Thị H-ơng 42 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest thirst for freedom, Shakespeare discovered this that deal with history at that time in England And then, that repentance of Antonio and Alonso for prior their mistakes for Prospero and Prospero is kind- heart person, he not only forgives them but also allows his daughter to marry his enemy‟ s son At the last of the play, all of them lived happily together and Ariel and spirits can free to go to anywhere they want Shakespeare has profoundly impacted the world over in areas of literature, culture, art, theatre, and film and is considered one of the best English language writers Ben Jonson said “ to the memory of my loved, the Author, Mr William Shakespeare: and what he hath left us” (The First Folio, 1623) “ Thou art a monument, without a tomb And art alive still while thy book doth live And we have wits to read and praise to give.” Although Shakespeare has been dead for a long time, his works always remember and maintain by future generations Lê Thị H-ơng 43 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest Suggestion for further studies Power of magic in “ The Tempest” by Shakespeare The Theme of Colonization in The Tempest Art in Shakespeare‟ s “ The Tempest” for Resolution of Conflict Shakespeare's Influence on the Audience's Response to Caliban in The Tempest The Theme of Bravery in The Tempest Isolation of the Individual in Society in The Tempest Lê Thị H-ơng 44 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare’s The Tempest Reference Books Nguyen Dinh Thanh (2004), The victorious laugh of love, friendship Justice and commonsense in “ The Merchant of Venice” by Shakespeare, Graduation Paper, Vinh University Nguyen Xuan Thom, (1997), “ History of English and American literature” , Ha Noi J V Cunngham, 1970, In Shakespeare’ s day, Fawcett: American Shakespeare, (Ed) (2002), “ The Tempest” , Saigon book: Da Nang Shakespeare, (Ed) (2002), “ The Merchant of Venice” , Saigon book: Da Nang Shakespeare, (Ed) (2002), “ A Midsummer Night’ s Dream” , Saigon book: Da Nang Shakespeare, (Ed) (2002), “ Much Ado About Nothing” , Saigon book: Da Nang Some websites: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/William Shakespeare’ s biography and workss.html http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/characters.html http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest /content.html http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest /summary.html http://nfs.sparknotes.com/ England in Renaissance /achievement.html Note: (1) http://nfs.sparknotes.com/Much Ado About Nothing/ characters.html (2) Quoted Nguyen Dinh Thanh, 2004, (3) Quoted Nguyen Dinh Thanh, 2004, (4- 5) http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/forgiveness and reconciliation html Lê Thị H-ơng 45 ...Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare? ??s The Tempest vinh university foreign Languages department == =    == = The main Themes in Shakespeare s the tempest (Các chủ đề chÝnh t¸c... mistakes in the past Lê Thị H-ơng 23 Graduation Thesis The main themes in Shakespeare? ??s The Tempest Chapter III The main themes in Shakespeare? ?? s ? ?The Tempest? ?? 3.1 Shakespeare? ?? s ? ?The Tempest? ??... the Audience's Response to Caliban in The Tempest The Theme of Bravery in The Tempest Isolation of the Individual in Society in The Tempest Lê Thị H-ơng 44 Graduation Thesis The main themes in