The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1546  Saturday, 17 September 2005

From: 		Stuart Manger <
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Date: 		Thursday, 15 Sep 2005 16:26:01 +0100
Subject: 16.1529 Caliban's Father
Comment: 	Re: SHK 16.1529 Caliban's Father

And Ariel's sulky challenge in Act 1 within minutes of getting on stage? 
'Is there more toil?' - and look at Prospero's violent response?

No, Ariel is not willing, but scared into submission. So, NOT a good 
angel but a 'pressed man'. Then turn to Ariel's ecstatic departure at 
the end of Act V? Prospero tells Ariel 'to the elements be thou free'. - 
recognising the servitude that Ariel talks of in Act 1.

Add Prospero's graphically recalled and obviously previously enacted 
punishments for Caliban should he transgress? BOTH Ariel and Caliban are 
threatened with appalling punishments + the enslavement threats to 
Ferdinand even with the intercessions of Miranda? No, I do NOT think we 
are looking at any kind of schematic upgrading of Everyman in that sense 
at all.  This is reductionist over-simplification, quite apart from the 
tricky fact that it flies in the face of the textual evidence.

Just a minor point for some, of course, judging by recent postings.

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