Use of Contrasts in Act I of The Tempest

February 9, 1997

OAC Writing Assignment #1 - Use of Contrasts in en professment I of The Tempest

        William Shakespeare used many different writing devices when he wrote his plays. In set I of The Tempest, the use of contrasts between characters, setting, and ideas were a lot used to develop the story, and more importantly, the messages that Shakespeare wished to portray by the play.

         bingle good example was how some characters in the first act had their counterparts. Ariel had Caliban, and Gonzalo had Ferdinand. The relationship between Ariel and Caliban could clearly be seen throughout roleplay I, scene II. Ariel was the airy spirit that could assume different shapes, such as the lightning flames seen on the ship (Shakespeare 31), and who had quickness, lightness, grace, and total control over his actions. On the early(a) hand, Caliban who represented the body, couldnt control his actions and thus made him the opposite of Ariel. He even tried to rape Miranda once, but was stopped by Prospero in the process. In fact, it might even be gum elastic to say that Caliban was anti-Ariel, being slow, stupid, and lazy.

        Gonzalo and Ferdinand were also contrasted in this act.



In Act I, scene I lines 28-33, Gonzalo made fun of the boatswain by saying that he didnt look like the type to drown, rather he resembled more of the type to be hanged. Thus implying that no champion on the ship would drown. This gesture by Gonzalo showed that he was an optimistic person. On the other hand, after landing on the island in Act I, scene ii, Ferdinand grew worry of his father and forthwith presumed he was dead. He even went as far as saying that he was now the new King of Naples (Shakespeare 45). Therefore, one can see that...

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