According to this article, political succession instability—a factor that continues to be a central thematic worry in the play—can be compared to the erratic nature of water in "The Tempest" in many ways. It explains that, similar to how Prospero makes tidal waves to start the political uproar in the story, he ensures calm seas to end the altercation. (Najmuddin 12). The source contends that Gonzalo, Sebastian, and Antonio are prepared for their imminent conflict, which occurs early in the play, in all crucial areas of the political landscape of the plot. Spiekerman, Tim. Shakespeare's political realism: the English history plays. Sunny Press, 2001.
This article argues that from the violent threat of the political aim of Sebastian, referred to as “standing water,” to the effects of leader’s presumed drowning on the political intent of the crew, the concept of water as an extension of power change as well as succession continues. The article cites that Gonzalo claims in act 2, that a foul weather exists in them all (Spiekerman 27).
Edmondson, Todd. "Prospero’s Exile and the Tempest of the English Reformation." Religion and the Arts 14.3 (2010): 252-266.
This journal contends that key to understanding the political strategy of Shakespeare, is the series of associated concerns on the compatibility of a policy of popularity that is often similar to the nature of water, and to the aristocratic feature of military prowess. It adds that this compatibility of policy is a potentially volatile blend in which modes create the Essexian project aimed at saving the state from the Spanish threat (Edmondson 253).
Heinze, Eric. "Legal Hybridity in Shakespeare: Revisiting the Post-Colonial in the Tempest and Cymbeline." (2016).
In view of this source, “The Tempest,” confronts its audience with absolutely dystopian interpretations of how monarchical legitimacy can be lost through a number of numerous combinations of female leadership, comparing the female leadership with the volatile nature of water. According to the article, such kind of leadership can potentially lead to disputed succession, foreign war, tyranny, and usurpation (Heinze 7). Overall, the article claims that “The Tempest,” gives the audience an opportunity to watch staging history as well as politics as presented by Shakespeare as a series of relations between several political agents.
Works Cited
Edmondson, Todd. "Prospero’s Exile and the Tempest of the English Reformation." Religion and the Arts 14.3 (2010): 252-266.
Heinze, Eric. "Legal Hybridity in Shakespeare: Revisiting the Post-Colonial in the Tempest and Cymbeline." (2016).
Najmuddin, Shahzad Z. Shakespeare's The Tempest: Its Political Implications and the First Colonists of Virginia. Trafford Publishing, 2005.
Spiekerman, Tim. Shakespeare's political realism: the English history plays. Sunny Press, 2001.
