Concetti Chiave
- The scene opens with a powerful storm, setting a dramatic tone with thunder, lightning, and cries at sea.
- The ship carries important characters like Alonso, king of Naples, and Antonio, Duke of Milan.
- Amidst the chaos, the Boatswain struggles to control the ship, highlighting tension with the passengers.
- Shakespeare uses language skillfully to create a vivid scene without visual effects, relying on dialogue and sound.
- The storm challenges authority, suggesting nature's indifference to social hierarchies and emphasizing bravery over titles.
This passage is the opening scene in 'The Tempest' by W.Shakespeare.
It starts with claps of thunder, bolts of lightning, the sound of howling seas and human cries to suggest a terrible storm at sea.
Personaggi e dinamiche a bordo
On board the ship there is the king of Naples, Alonso, his son and his Court, Antonio, Duke of Milan and Gonzalo.
The Boatswain is doing his best to save the ship and the passengers' lives but his work is made difficult by the presence of some passengers on the deck.
Alonso and Antonio insult the Boatswain and by doing it they show their fear, while Gonzalo seems to trust him and his skills.
Panico e abilità del Boatswain
Panic spreads when the mariners get to the deck all wet and crying that everything is lost, the ship is splitting and they are going to sink.
This scene is an example of how clever Shakespeare was at dealing with the language. At the time, there was no scenery, no special effects and playwrights could rely only on what the characters did and said on the stage. The scene is made realistic by the shouting, the exclamations and the frantic work of the Boatswain.
The audience come to know about the identity of Alonso, the king of Naples, only when some mariners enter wet and crying that everything is lost. His presence introduces another theme, i.e., the challenge to traditional authority. The Boatswain says he will do his best to save the boat and its passengers, no matter who is on board. 'What cares these roarers for the name of King?' he asks Gonzalo. It means that those in power have no authority upon natural phenomena and social hierarchies are unimportant in the face of nature's wrath.
Coraggio e determinazione
The noble passengers are the first to panic when the boat seems to be splitting up; Ferdinand is the first who jumps overboard and so do his companions. The Boatswain and the mariners stay on board and by doing that they show their courage and determination, thus suggesting to us that bravery does not depend on titles.
Domande da interrogazione
- ¿Qué sugiere la tormenta en la escena inicial de 'The Tempest'?
- ¿Cómo se representa la jerarquía social en esta escena?
- ¿Qué revela la reacción de los personajes ante la tormenta sobre su carácter?
La tormenta sugiere un caos y peligro inminente, simbolizando la impotencia de la autoridad humana frente a la naturaleza, como se muestra cuando el Boatswain pregunta: "¿Qué les importa a estos rugidos el nombre de Rey?"
La jerarquía social se desafía cuando el Boatswain prioriza salvar el barco sobre la identidad de los pasajeros, indicando que en situaciones extremas, como la tormenta, las jerarquías sociales pierden importancia.
La reacción de los personajes revela su verdadero carácter; los nobles entran en pánico y saltan por la borda, mientras que el Boatswain y los marineros muestran valentía y determinación al quedarse a bordo, sugiriendo que el coraje no depende de los títulos.
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