This paper on Shakespeare’s Caliban from “The Tempest” aims at examining whether, and if in how far, the description and depiction of this character in the printed version and the film
adaptations by John Gorrie, Derek Jarman and Jack Bender differ from each other. After a short summary of the play “The Tempest”, general information about the play will be given. In the main part, the description and depiction of the character Caliban, his outward
appearance and his character as well as his relation to other characters from the original play, will be of interest. But the focus will lie on Caliban’s representation in different film versions
of “The Tempest”, especially on John Gorrie’s adaptation of 1980, Derek Jarman’s of 1979 and Jack Bender’s adaptation of 1999.
Towards the end, the comparison between Caliban in the printed version and Caliban in the film versions examined will be of importance.
Table of Contents
- Introductory remarks
- General information about the play
- Short summary of “The Tempest”
- Caliban: the character in Shakespeare's play
- General facts about Caliban
- Caliban seen by other characters
- Caliban the slave and servant
- Film versions of “The Tempest”
- John Gorrie's “The Tempest”
- General remarks about John Gorrie's “The Tempest”
- John Gorrie's Caliban
- Derek Jarman's “The Tempest”
- General remarks about Derek Jarman's “The Tempest”
- Derek Jarman's Caliban
- Jack Bender's “The Tempest”
- General remarks about Jack Bender's “The Tempest”
- Jack Bender's Caliban
- John Gorrie's “The Tempest”
- Comparison
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the portrayal of Caliban in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and three film adaptations, comparing and contrasting his representation across these different mediums. The objective is to determine the extent to which the character's depiction varies across the original play and the selected film versions by John Gorrie, Derek Jarman, and Jack Bender.
- Caliban's characterization in Shakespeare's play
- Comparative analysis of Caliban's portrayal in the three film adaptations
- Exploration of the differences and similarities in Caliban's depiction across the different versions
- Examination of Caliban's role within the larger context of colonialism and power dynamics
- Analysis of how Caliban's representation reflects changing societal perspectives on race, slavery, and colonialism.
Chapter Summaries
Introductory remarks: This paper sets out to investigate the differences and similarities in the portrayal of Caliban across Shakespeare's original play and three film adaptations. It outlines the structure of the paper, which will begin with a summary of the play and background information, delve into Caliban's character within the play, and then focus on his representation in the films by Gorrie, Jarman, and Bender, culminating in a comparative analysis.
General information about the play: This chapter provides contextual information about "The Tempest," including its likely date of writing (1610-1611), its first performance at the court of King James I, and its original context within the burgeoning age of colonialism. The chapter notes the play's unique originality in Shakespeare's oeuvre and touches on critical interpretations of the play as a comic masterpiece and a potential farewell to the stage.
Short summary of “The Tempest”: This section offers a concise overview of the plot of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." It summarizes the tempest, the shipwreck of Alonso's party, Prospero's backstory involving his usurpation and exile, and the various plotlines that unfold on the island, including Ferdinand and Miranda's romance, the conspiracy against Prospero, and the eventual resolution and return to Italy. The summary highlights the key events and characters, setting the stage for the detailed examination of Caliban's role in the subsequent chapters.
Caliban: The character in Shakespeare's play: This chapter focuses on Caliban's characterization in Shakespeare's original play. It examines the various interpretations of Caliban throughout theatre history and literary criticism, highlighting his ambiguous nature and his significant role despite not being the central character. The analysis explores Caliban's dialogue, his relationship with other characters, and his position as a slave and servant, providing the groundwork for the comparison with the film adaptations.
Keywords
Shakespeare, The Tempest, Caliban, film adaptation, colonialism, postcolonialism, power dynamics, character analysis, literary criticism, theatrical representation, John Gorrie, Derek Jarman, Jack Bender.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Caliban in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and its Film Adaptations
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the portrayal of Caliban in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and three film adaptations (by John Gorrie, Derek Jarman, and Jack Bender), comparing and contrasting his representation across these different mediums. The objective is to determine how Caliban's depiction varies across the original play and the selected film versions.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
Key themes include Caliban's characterization in Shakespeare's play, comparative analysis of his portrayal in the three film adaptations, exploration of differences and similarities in his depiction, examination of Caliban's role within the context of colonialism and power dynamics, and analysis of how Caliban's representation reflects changing societal perspectives on race, slavery, and colonialism.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents covers introductory remarks, general information about the play, a short summary of "The Tempest," a detailed examination of Caliban's character in the play (including his portrayal by other characters and his role as a slave), film versions of "The Tempest" (with sections dedicated to Gorrie's, Jarman's, and Bender's adaptations, including their respective portrayals of Caliban), and finally, a comparative analysis of all versions.
What information is provided in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries offer a concise overview of each section's content. They provide context for Shakespeare's play, including its historical context and critical interpretations. A summary of the play's plot is included. The summaries then cover the analysis of Caliban's character in the play, examining different interpretations, and finally lays out the structure of the comparative analysis of the film adaptations.
How are the film adaptations of "The Tempest" analyzed?
Each film adaptation (by Gorrie, Jarman, and Bender) is analyzed separately, examining general remarks about each film and specifically focusing on each director's portrayal of Caliban. This detailed analysis of each film adaptation is then compared to Shakespeare's original portrayal and to each other.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include Shakespeare, The Tempest, Caliban, film adaptation, colonialism, postcolonialism, power dynamics, character analysis, literary criticism, theatrical representation, John Gorrie, Derek Jarman, and Jack Bender.
What is the overall goal of this academic paper?
The overarching goal is to provide a structured and professional analysis of Caliban's portrayal across different media, highlighting the evolution of his character and its reflection of changing societal perspectives on colonialism, slavery, and power dynamics.
- Quote paper
- Julia Hansens (Author), 2003, Caliban - his representation in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and three film versions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23104
