The Tempest Comparative Essay
An individual’s personal experience can act as a catalyst to reveal momentous discoveries that can ultimately enable some to re-evaluate their values. This notion is prevalent in George Orwell’s 1936 confessional essay, “Shooting an Elephant” whereby an individual is exposed to the inhumane and callous nature of mankind during his time in Burma. The text condemns the despotic British Imperialism within the East through the lens of a single police officer’s recollection of his time in Burma. Similarly, William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” conveys a dominant character, Prospero who holds authority over Ariel.
Intensely meaningful discoveries can be unveiled as a result from an individual’s personal experience over time. The semi-autobiographical …show more content…
As responders we discover the barbaric nature of imperialism and the powerlessness of individuals who are locked into the government paradigms. The reader begins to realise that the elephant may metaphorically represent the “stricken, shrunken; immensely old” countries that have been invaded by imperialism. The process of imperialism parallels Shakespeare’s “Tempest” as Prospero ‘invaded’ the island and took over. The character, Ariel in “The Tempest” has been oppressed and pushed into submission by his “masters”, Sycorax and Prospero. This oppression is intensely meaningful to Ariel and has ultimately transformed him into what he is whereas, Orwell’s discovery has been meaningful and allowed him to re-evaluate his values and position as an officer within this dogmatic system. Contrastingly from Orwell’s experience, Ariel has not questioned the ideologies of Prospero’s system but instead, desires a sense of freedom from the oppression.
Evidently, from George Orwell’s “Shooting an elephant” and William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, first hand experiences can unveil intensely meaningful discoveries, consequently enabling individuals to review their values or to desire a
Intensely meaningful discoveries can be unveiled as a result from an individual’s personal experience over time. The semi-autobiographical …show more content…
As responders we discover the barbaric nature of imperialism and the powerlessness of individuals who are locked into the government paradigms. The reader begins to realise that the elephant may metaphorically represent the “stricken, shrunken; immensely old” countries that have been invaded by imperialism. The process of imperialism parallels Shakespeare’s “Tempest” as Prospero ‘invaded’ the island and took over. The character, Ariel in “The Tempest” has been oppressed and pushed into submission by his “masters”, Sycorax and Prospero. This oppression is intensely meaningful to Ariel and has ultimately transformed him into what he is whereas, Orwell’s discovery has been meaningful and allowed him to re-evaluate his values and position as an officer within this dogmatic system. Contrastingly from Orwell’s experience, Ariel has not questioned the ideologies of Prospero’s system but instead, desires a sense of freedom from the oppression.
Evidently, from George Orwell’s “Shooting an elephant” and William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, first hand experiences can unveil intensely meaningful discoveries, consequently enabling individuals to review their values or to desire a