biblical themes in shakespeares the tempest Essay -- essays research p

Biblical Themes in Shakespeares The stormShakespeare is one of the intimately prolific and admired writers who ever lived. He certainly knew his craft and was familiar with any of the literature available at the time. One of the greatest books ever indite was of course the bible. Written oer the course of more than a special K years it is a miracle in itself that the book exists. Shakespeare knew his bible, and his work often incarnate and examined biblical themes. Shakespeares last completed work was The Tempest, and it is as interlacing and deeply moving as any of his works. Readers of the play respond on a much deeper level than the literal. In and of itself it is actually a really simple tale, it is the characters who are representative of so umpteen differing and stimulating aspects of the military personnel condition that make the work so evocative and interesting.Prospero is the picture of a man in two different aspects. On one hand, he is made in the image of matin ee idol and given dominion and keep tolerate over the world created in The Tempest. On the other hand he represents a fallen man who is in exile from his home. Both of these types washbowl be found in the book of Genesis. God himself is in accountant of his world, and able to manipulate the world in roam to stand back and see how the players will react. God and Prospero are twain willing to progress to their goals through imperfect means. When Jacob steals Esaus inheritance right, the younger son triumphs over the older son by dishonest means. In the end it accomplishes Gods goal, so it is allowed to happen. Just as Josephs mistreatment by his brothers and his durance because of Potiphars wife cause him great anguish, but move him close-set(prenominal) to accomplishing Gods plan. Prospero is a scholar who has spent years in his books perfecting his magical powers. Clearly the last twelve years has been spent growing the power to both punish and forgive his enemies. Prosper o controls even the inner industrial plant of Calibans body. He is able to punish Caliban physically with his power, in order to completely control him and accomplish his means. Prospers also completely controls Ariel. According to Steven Marx, both the Bible and the Tempest share the form of creation myth. Marx suggests that Genesiss God and The Tempests Prospero share the roles... ...parallel and reflective storylines. Shakespeare had to have been among the most voracious and intelligent readers ever to have opened a book. Aspects of many of the most scholarly works available in his day croupe be found in his works. Throughout my research for this paper, several sources mentioned a series of pamphlets concerning the survival of some mariners in the Bermuda Islands after a violent storm in 1609. Until then the Bermudas were popularly thought to be inhabited by demons and fairies. Many believe that the idea of survival on a lush, outback(a) and magical island first influenced h is conception of The Tempest. That storm certainly turned into a blessing for all of us who so greatly enjoy and calculate Shakespeares works. 1.Marx, Steven. Shakespeare and the Bible. New York Oxford University Press, 2000.2.Feuer, Lois. Happy Families Repentance and Restoration in The Tempest and the Joseph Narrative. Philological Quarterly 76 (1997) 3-6.003.Feuer, Lois. Happy Families Repentance and Restoration in The Tempest and the Joseph Narrative. Philological Quarterly 76 (1997) 22-26.