The Tempest
...by Tim Burton, each explore the concept of imaginative journeys.
Imaginative journeys can take a character on an inner journey of speculation and self discovery which broaden their understanding of themselves and the world.
In the Tempest Prospero embarks on an inner journey from vengeance to forgiveness through the use of magic, illusion and the supernatural. Prospero is established at the start of his journey as the duke of Milan, a man who is more absorbed in his books and the arts than his responsibility as a duke "which I prize above my dukedom". He foolishly gives up his power and is portrayed by his brother Antonio, who usurps Prospero and casts his daughter Miranda and himself adrift.
When he arrives on an island somewhere in the Mediterranean Prospero enslaves Caliban and Ariel and pursues his arts. Prospero regards the island as a poor cell' and is not inspired by his natural surroundings like Caliban is, to let his imagination soar. Caliban represents the dark within Prospero. His dislike for him is shown through his aggressive tone which can be seen when he refers to Caliban as "A devil, a born devil, on whose nature / Nurture can never stick
" and he sees him as an evil creature.
Prospero's inner journey is gradual as he suffers for 12 years in exile.
At last after all these years he has an opportunity to exact vengeance on those who have wronged him. He conjures a Tempest arranged by his spirit servant Ariel. The Tempest is used as a symbol for change both in the physical sense and metaphorical. The Tempest is also a symbol of Prospero's magic and of the frightening, potentially wicked side of his power. All those travelling on the ship are put at the mercy of the sea, just as Prospero and his infant daughter were twelve years ago. Prospero makes his enemies suffer as he has suffered so they can learn, like he has learnt, from their...
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