2017 Reading Quest 08

Book:  The Tempest.

Author: William Shakespeare

Info:  No copyright information on Kindle Edition.  Audio Version Copyright 2008:  New York:  Oxford University Press.   Originally written circa 1610.

Where acquired: Free Kindle download and audio library check out.  Plus, I saw the play done live at Jacksonville State University last weekend.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭✭  1/2

What it's about:  Prosprero, the defunct Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda, are stranded on an island.  Using magic arts, Prospero seizes his opportunity to exact revenge on those who dethroned him when they are shipwrecked in a storm.

Favorite Quotes:

Sebastian:  "He receives comfort like cold porridge." Location 379

Stephano:  "Though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made like a goose."  Location 702

Prospero:  "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."  Location 1079

Trinculo:  "Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation."  Location 1110

Caliban:  "What a thrice-double ass was I, to take this drunkard for a god and worship this dull fool." Location 1338

What I Liked:

• Of course, because it's Shakespeare, it's written in old English, which I enjoy in measured doses.  I'm fond of the King James Version of the Bible, so the language was familiar.
• Once the drunks showed up, it was funny as all get out.

What I didn’t like: 

• This was labeled as a comedy.  Until Stephano and Trinculo showed up, I found no comedy in it.
• The Kindle version doesn't have real page numbers and didn't translate to a larger font very well.
• This is the fourth Shakespeare play I've perused.  As you can see, unlike the others, it took a Borax Mule team for me to understand it.  The other plays were easier to decipher.  This one, I really didn't enjoy until I saw it live. 
• SPOILER ALERT:  To me, it ended strangely.  Here's Prospero with his enemies right where he wants them.  All of a sudden, because Ariel (who isn't even human) felt sorry for them, he felt sorry for them, let them go, and gave up his magic?  Then they just accept him back into the fold and go on with life?  Sorry, but that's too big of a jump. 

Takeaway:  I decided to read The Tempest when my friend, Carmine, the Professor, was made faculty advisor for JSU's Drama Department's live production.  His wife, my friend and walking buddy, Susan, let me know about the play and we made plans to see it together.  I wanted to read it before I saw it.  I'm glad I did, and really enjoyed the live production.