How Does Shakespeare Use Class Structure In The Tempest

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Even though Frank Kermode’s argument about “The Tempest In Shakespeare: The Final Plays” is very informative about many of the issues addressed in the play, it never deals with one of the plays most important topics: class. I strongly disagree with Kermode’s approach on analyzing The Tempest because in failing to consider the influences of class structure, he is failing to consider one of the most important ideas going on with the play. In doing this he does not take into account all the things connected to class throughout the play, such as the relationship between the Boatswain and the Nobleman on the ship; as well as Prospero and Caliban’s relationship. Which are all very important to the story along with many other examples. So Kermode cannot argue about the important issues in the play if he does not address class structure; because it …show more content…
In the middle of The Tempest we see Stephano, who is Prospero’s brother, trying to convince Trinculo to murder Alonso, who is his brother and also the king. He tells Trinculo that the best thing he had ever done was dethrone his brother, because he got to take over the kingdom and ended up with all of Prospero’s power. So Trinculo believes him and decides he wants to murder Alonso. This is all a consequence of being power hungry, and depicts the largest issue of the play, which is class. For instance, if Stephano had not wronged Prospero, then he would have never been dethroned and sent away. Therefore, Prospero would not want Stephano and the others to feel guilty for what they had done to him, and the Tempest would not exist. The play is entirely based off of Prospero’s attempt to have everyone that had ever done him wrong, feel guilty and like they want to apologize. In the end, there is no other meaning behind The Tempest. If class structure were not an issue in the play then it would have no backbone and the play would not
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