I’m honestly not even too sure how about I feel about the Tempest. I hadn’t been familiar with this particular work of Shakespeare’s before now, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s pretty similar to some of his other works regarding his writing and stylistic choices . Prospero is an interesting, if not especially likable, character. I don’t feel like sending your daughter’s love interest to *prison* because *you* feel like their relationship is progressing too quickly is an appropriate way to behave. I think the men in Shakespeare’s works are typically pretty oppressive, controlling, egotistical, and otherwise follow the standards of what was deemed to be an acceptable level of “masculinity” in that era. Which is, admittedly, a bit off-topic. The story itself was pretty compelling, but I felt no real connection to the characters. Some people might argue that the struggles and emotions expressed by Shakespeare are relatable to the modern man because they are intrinsically human, and that we might experience various degrees of similar emotions/desicion-making processes; but I am not one of those people. And despite knowing that Shakespeare’s works are revered masterpieces as far as literature goes – I will probably never get over the fact that I essentially need a separate translation just to get through his works.
TL;DR : I thought the play was interesting enough, but I’m not really Shakespeare’s biggest fan.
10 points for saying what was on everyone else’s mind! I agree that the play was a bit light on captivating characters. To me it seemed that a lopsided amount of them were almost exclusively focused on simply gaining power. I think a more rounded cast such as those in Macbeth or Hamlet wouldve helped. Then again maybe I’m not trying hard enough to differentiate the traits and motivations of the characters.
I’m not surprised you didn’t feel a great connection to any of the characters, and I agree they are most of them focused on power so not very sympathetic. There’s Miranda, I guess, but she is just not very fleshed out. Nor is Ferdinand, nor really anyone except Prospero. And he’s not exactly someone we would want to identify with, given his many flaws. So yeah, I can see the point here! But I do think there are some interesting themes about authority and power in the text, even if there aren’t characters we could gravitate towards. And some of these themes can link up interestingly with Plato. Plus, I am intrigued by trying to give a reading to Prospero’s “art,” exactly–what it could be interpreted as, and so why he gives it up at the end. Maybe that’s just a strange obsession of mine!