Unregistered
03-21-2005, 06:49 PM
If you were to watch the Derek Jarman "interpretation" of the play, "The Tempest" - you would see quite a different Gonzalo. He is both chirpilly unrealistic and morbidly sycophantic. Jarman's interpretation elsewhere may well be questionable - but he has certainly pin-pointed something in Gonzalo that few people are prepared to accept. <br><br>Bear in mind that this is a comedy! Most of the characters are absurd - not meant to be taken seriously. Take, for example, Stephano and Trinculo's suggestion that by wearing the clothes of authority, you will HAVE authority. This is a recurring theme in Shakespeare, and while it is difficult to see what Shakespeare is getting at if you look at it through all his plays, it is relatively simple to see what he appears to be getting at here - that Prospero may wear the clothes of authority, but does not wield it. Moreoever - he can only truly wield any power on an island with four inhabitants - and he manages to fail at that if you count his inability to truly control Caliban. Thus - it is not enough to simply have an appearance of authority - you must back it up.<br><br>Then take Alonso - hardly a model ruler as he takes part in removing Propsero from office by sending him out to sea to die. Is it really noble and honourable to be the committed servant of such a man?<br><br>Then look at when Stephano and Trinculo (as obsessed with drink as Prospero is with magic) begin a "utopia" (of sorts). Caliban becomes their Gonzalo - as bewildered by their regal clothing as Gonzalo is by Alonso's title and official standing.<br><br>Shakespeare wrote about a great many noble people - Banquo, Edward, Benvolio etc. Gonzalo is not among them - he is a foolish old man who believes in following his leader whether that leader be wrong or right! And why? Because this is a comedy!