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Shakespodospheare|4.1 Dramatic Reading of Shakespeare's The Tempest Episode
4.1 Dramatic Reading of William Shakespeare's The TempestBy Dr. Greg MartinGenre: SpeechTags: Shakespeare Tempest MasqueDownload : MP3 AudioThis scene presents the audience with two plays-within-the play. The first, a masque performed for Ferdinand and Miranda to celebrate their marriage, and the frippery (clothing shoppe) for Stephano and Trinculo.
What is the purpose of the plays-within? Is the banquet scene the play-within intended for the wedding party?
Notice how the happy, celebratory masque is interrupted by Prospero remembering that there is a group of characters plotting against him.
Check out the new vogue for masques by doing a little research on the form/genre. James I loved this type of entertainment, and one theory about The Tempest is that it was in response to the king's taste for masques. If so, the masque of Ceres might be a topical allusion to a masque performed to honor the wedding of James' daughter, Elizabeth.
Notice the themes of the masque, too: fertility, marriage, love, nature. What do they have to do with the plot of the play?
Enjoy!
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[ Mon, 5 Mar 2007 12:08:06 GMT ]
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