Thoughts on The Tempest

My Thoughts on The Tempest

This piece is very interesting to me. One aspect of its critism that makes me curious is that it is all interpretation. Because we do not have any commentary of Shakespeare's work it is all in the eye of the beholder. What would have it been like if Shakespeare had left us detailed descriptions of what he was intending with each character and each line of the play? Would it be as acclaimed as it is today? Would present critics be shocked? Would their analysis of Shakespearean intentions be close to the truth or complete opposites? When we think of media, art, film, and the likes do we ever stop to think that often "they" that determine what is "good" work are really just manipulating reality and making decisions for the general, uneducated (about a specific type of art that is) public? Although Literary Criticism does many wonderful things for the world of English I would like to pose the question "Who was William Shakespeare?" and "What did Shakespeare specifically desire for both reader and audience to take with them when the finished this show?" I enjoy the thought of freedom of speech and research on a historic piece. However I always wonder if the author ever wanted something completely different than how their piece was interpreted. And if so, were they the type of author that would appreciate such interpretation? Or would they be offended?

" Action is eloquence. "
~ William Shakespeare

"His life was gentle; and the elementsSo mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!"
~ William Shakespeare

"I am not bound to please thee with my answers."
~ William Shakespeare

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