Tempest And Merendino

The journey of discovery is generically defined by a precess of binary resolution; where by a protagonist is confronted, their views are challenged, and an entirely new ideology is formed while the previous is abandoned. However through the study of the play "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare, and the film "SLC Punk" directed by James Merendino, one can uncover the truer meaning behind a sense of discovery; that all ideologies are not abandoned by a process of discovery, but stimulated and enlightened in order for these ways of thinking to be constantly challenged and affirmed. Thus, ideologies are never disregarded, rather reshaped and re-contextualised to further enrich and redefine the individual. This thesis is seen throughout either
texts and is reinforced constantly as the characters confront and evaluate one another.

Shakespeare's "The Tempest" sheds light on the process of modifying ideologies through the extremely exposing nature of challenges to ones ideologies and the power of the subsequent changes to ones definition of the self.
The placement of characters into an entirely new and challenging situation is key evidence of this. Initially this is seen in the description of the setting and the nature of the arrival of the main characters. The use of a storm, or tempest, as pathetic fallacy to illustrate trouble or conflict between characters. This is seen specifically in Boatswain's challenging of authority under the pressure of the storm. Despite being of a lower social class, he orders Gonzalo to be "Out of our way" and "Work you then". These commands towards a higher up foreshadow the discovery of different power structures and hierarchies. While Boatswain takes charge, others cower in the face of change and the impending discoveries they make. Gonzalo's description of the island as "a desolate isle" reinforces the role of inertia when coming to new discoveries. The strong pull of resistance is evident in this reluctancy to embrace his new surroundings and this nature eventually manifests itself into discoveries as the island and its inhabitants force change upon Gonzalo and the others. Furthermore, the island symbolises a crossroads where the
characters will be forced to reassess their attitudes and philosophies. However this challenging of values is not restricted to the shipwrecked characters. Prospero's attitudes and treatment of the fairy Ariel changes dramatically as the play progresses. Initially, Ariel is commanded by Prospero, a servant who executes his masters maniacal plans. Ariel is manipulated, but loyal and steadfast, yet somewhat short-sighted in his affect on his environment. However, Prospero begins to question his manipulative actions towards many of the surrounding characters, including Ariel, and this causes him to re-evaluate the dangers it causes himself and others. This is recognised by Ariel when they ask Prospero "Do you love me master, no?". This timid question is met with a previously uncharacteristic answer from Prospero "Dearly, my delicate Ariel". This outward expression of fondness and affection modifies Ariel and Prospero's relationship from that of a servant and their master, to that of a child and their father. This is further reinforced by Prospero's parting words with Ariel "Go bravely" which highlights the mutual respect and admiration they now share, illustrating the power of gradual discovery. Furthermore, "The Tempest" presents the multitude of reactions to challenges, however heavily privileges the impact they have upon ones rediscovery of the self and their individual values and beliefs. Additionally the illustration of slow, gradual changes aid the overall endorsement of significant discoveries about ones place in a society.

Similarly, James Merendino's "SLC Punk" provides and insight into the role challenges play in redefining an individual over a long period of time, allowing the individual to come to a slow realisation of a truer and more relevant self.
From the beginning of the film, Merendino places a spotlight on conflicting situations and people, placing Stevo, the protagonist, a hedonistic anarchist punk, within the confines of ultra-conservative Utah during the late 1980s. This very easily sparks an initial and ongoing conflict throughout the film. Stevo's loud and boisterous manner feuds with the surrounding rhetoric of strict American orthodoxy, and causes a constantly critical nature within him. Merendino reflects this through the use of narration and soliloquy as a vehicle for Stevo to express his ongoing thoughts of his surroundings. This is expanded on through the film, as the narration turns to a sort of visual essay, where Stevo, via "breaking the fourth wall", can illustrate the challenging nature of his surroundings. In a party scene, Stevo breaks away from the principle scene in order to explain why punks fight, and through this visual essay, the audience sees the beginning of his redefining of his ideologies. Stevo begins his essay by detailing the nature of fighting, however quickly comes to the realisation that the very construct of fighting an "other" was inherently against his values as an anarchist. "When we fight it appears to be chaos and I believe in chaos...but when
we fight for a reason...there's a system" illustrates the internal conflict Stevo faces when confronting his habits and the social constructs surrounding him. Ultimately Stevo, like Prospero, begins to re-evaluate the relevancy of the expression of his self assigned ideology, and thus begins a process of gradual redefinition of the self. However, he notable states at the end of the visual essay "Final summation: none" highlighting the impossibility of an individual to switch purely from one side of a spectrum to another. Through this, Merendino illustrates that discovery can never be a binary swapping of values, but rather a process that takes time and a constant adherence to self reflection. Towards the end of the film Stevo's friend Bob dies as a result of hedonism and complete disregard for caution or hesitation. This event ultimately finalises Stevo's process of reflection, causing him to realise that "The guy I was then is not the guy I am now". This piece of narration is delivered during a close up of Stevo's now content and relaxed face, privileging the discovery he has undergone. As Stevo justifies his new pursuit of law as "breaking down the system from inside the system" Merendino comments on the importance of modified ideologies. Through SLC Punk, Merendino, like Shakespeare, sheds light on the importance of gradual change and the weight it holds on the individual as they undergo a slow but significant process of redefinition of the self.

Furthermore, through the analysis of these texts one is able to see the process of discovery as a stimulating and intriguing journey of self assessment and evaluation in order to provide an individual with the most relevant and applicable ideology to their surroundings, especially including the treatment of themselves and others.