'The Tempest' in Context

How did the court audience of 1611 respond to this unusual play? Situating ‘The Tempest’ in its time, this guide explains the Christian ethics, contemporary political scene, literary atmosphere and requirements of tragi-comedy that inform the background of this magical and mysterious play.

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This engaging book provides detailed in-depth discussion of the various influences that an audience in 1611 would have brought to interpreting ‘The Tempest’. How did people think about the world, about God, about sin, about kings, about civilized conduct? Learn about the social hierarchy, gender relationships, parenting and family dynamics, court corruption, class tensions, the concept of tragi-comedy – and all the subversions, transgressions, and oppositions that made the play an unsettling picture of a world attempting to come to terms with capitalism and colonialism while re-addressing the nature of rule.