MM Nov 3

Today, we started class with a quiz on The Tempest Acts III and IV. After Dr. Mathur collected the quizzes, she handed out the third paper topics. She also said another topic that we can include is to talk about travel throughout the drama. The cover letter for the final paper should discuss how your writing has developed throughout the semester and focus on one or two aspects of your work.

After discussing our next paper topic, we numbered off for group work. There were four groups and Dr. Mathur gave each group a piece of paper with a discussion topic. All groups had to discuss the assigned question and arrive at a clear set of responses. We also had to pick a passage 10-15 lines long to use as evidence for our answers.

My group number four had to discuss the speeches of Gonzalo and Trinculo and summarize their plans for the island and differences. The second question was to consider what the play reveals about early European encounters with the Americas through the characters. We all discussed how in his speech, Gonzalo doesn’t want to change anything and enjoy the island’s view. Gonzalo doesn’t want to industrialize the island and he seems to not be biased and have all genders equal. “No occupation; all men idle, all, and women too” (2.1.169-170). We see that Shakespeare uses Gonzalo to show the views of Michel de Montaigne, author of Of the Cannibals. Montaigne talks about how he looks to the Americas because he sees that they haven’t been touched by institutions that have tainted Europe. Gonzalo uses that towards his island. He doesn’t want to taint it with corporations like throughout Europe. Trinculo’s plan is complete opposite. My group talked about how he has the view of an overpowering settler. He has plans to dominate the island and make money of its inhabitants. He talks about caging Caliban and charging people to see him. “Were I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver. There would this monster make a man. Any strange beast makes a man” (2.2.28-32). We compared him to the settlers in the Americas and their treatment of the Native Americans.

With about 10 minutes left of class, group 1 presented Prospero and his neglect towards his kingdom. The group said that Prospero has a focus and devotion to his books, art, and wasn’t doing his job. They also mentioned Antonio’s ambitious nature and how trusted he is by Prospero. Their lines were 1.2.108-125 on page 19. The second group discussed the relationships of Calvin, Stefano and Trinculo. They mention Calvin’s naivety and how Stefano and Trinculo mistreat him. Their passage regarding Calvin is 3.2.148 and the mistreatment on page 99. The third group presented really fast and we ran out of time for the last group to present.

At the end, Dr. Mathur made a few announcements. She suggested that if he had any passages that needed to be cleared up to bring it up on Friday’s class. Also, we have a quiz next class (Nov. 5).