Process of discovery in The Tempest and Ghosts Anonymous 12th Grade

Both William Shakespeare and Eamon Flack cleverly invite us to experience and explore discovery through their texts, the tempest and ghosts, respectively. It appears common in both texts that a discovery of family betrayal prompts both Prospero in the Tempest and Mrs Alving in ghosts to create a false reality whereby through a process of discovery both come to embrace their realities. Both composers, through the construction of false realities, invite us to understand that we too are about to embark on a journey and watch a false reality.

Shakespeare makes it evident to us in The Tempest that Prospero’s process of discovery begins as he discovers he too may be to blame for his brothers betrayal. He represents this through Prospero expressing his arts were ‘Without a parallel…all my study’. The high modality of ‘all’ and the juxtaposing of ‘neglecting worldly ends… bettering of my mind’ suggests Prospero’s mind was completely preoccupied by his pursuit of magic. This further highlights the beginning of his understanding that this world where he is ‘rapt in secret studies’ contradicts his responsibilities and is in fact, an artificially created reality. This reminds us, that we too are embarking on a ‘false’ journey in watching...