The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-04-29
From the Home journal.
Shakspeare's Tempest.
BY FRANCES ANNE KEMDLE.

Shakspcarc's dramas. The rcmo,encss OF
the scene from all familiar localities allows
n range to the imagination such as no other
OF his plays affords; not even the "Mhl-
summer Nights Dream" in which. though
some of the dramotis persona are super
human. the scene is laid in y wood near
Athens, and Thcscus and lIyrpoila, though
mythological rat or than historical person
ages, are yet among the earliest ac4nalnt-
ancc Of our school-davs.
But on that uninhahitcd island, lost in |
unknown seas, the wandering fancy finds
unrrttereh scope and, while the scene is
remote from all places with which we hold
acquaintance, the ac,ion-> simple i'll the
extreme, and having more reference to past
events than To the development OF any
dramatic plot, through the agency OF vlo-
len, or complicated inci,cn,s-al!ows the
! imagination to float undis,nrbed on the
smooth and profound stream Of roetlca in
! spiraton, which characterizes this above all
other plays.
But chiefly delight in the "Tempest"
because of the image which 1t presents to
my mind of the supremacy Of the righteous
human soul over all things by which it is
surrounded. Prospcro is to mo the EN-.
bodimcnt Of human wisdom and virtue, i'll
their true relation to the various elements
of existence, the external world i'll which
thcv are placed and the mortal fellowship
hv which they are affected and inf cnrcd.
OF the wonderful chain Of being, Of which
Calibau is the lowest and Ariel the most
ethereal limit, Prospcro is the main and
middle link.
And first we have the gross, nncalnly,
powerful savage, who represents the lower
and more pondrrous natural elements the
earth, and the waters under the earth-and,
as the science of the great magician compels
these to his service, so the lower part OF
mans nature, its coarse and fierce propen-
sites, (of which CaIiban is also the repre-
scnlativc) arc held in stern suhjpction by
him who is the type Of that natures nobles'
, development. Next III the scale, but on.
grade higher. come the drunken, rihad
stupid followers of the King Of Naples
whose ignorance, cowardicc, crnclty. anG
knaverv represent the worst aspect of thai
; great portion of all communities that car
V only he raised TO civilization under thu
, wholesome restraint Of wise authority
and which is always found in natural alli
ance with the rebellion Of brute force ant
savage ferocty against the powers by which
', they are controlled.
t These figures are succeeded by the Gun
s ming, trcacherous, selfish wordlings, TIL
. princes-Prospcro's peers in s!ason-an'
their courticrs. whose villanous and crue
5 conspiracy (ai,led, indeed, by his own dere
= Iiction Of right in neglecting the duties O
n his state for the delights of his study over
n throws his fortune, and trumphs, for
10 while, over truth and justice in his person
~ From these, who represent the haser il
= telectual, as the former characters do tn
d baser sensual properties Of humanity, ho'
8 gentle and graceful is the transition. throng
g the skilIfulIy intcrposed figure Of the kline
, old, courtly Lord Gonsalo. to those charm
T. ing types of youth and beatty, Ferdinan
IS and Miranda, in whose frrvent devotio
&c and yielding sweetness we have the impe
re sonation Of those sentiments and passio,
,r which, watched and guided by the patterns
prudence Of Prospero, receive the sanrtin
20 of his tender wisdom, and, arc rpruned
OF their luxuriance. and supported in the
r. weakness, by the temperate restraint tn
e. teaches forbearance and sclf.control as Il
h., price at which these exquisite f1o"ers OF e
- istence unfold their blossoms prospcr"usl
and bear their appointed harvest OF hapI
vo ness and goodness rs well as pleasure.
es Next in this wonderful scale Of bcin
!, governed bv the sovereign soul Of Prosper
- J.. we have the. Spirits Of the Masque
"e ful, bright apparitions. ftly representa-
rs the air, the fire. the nowery and fruitf
he seasons, and all the more graceful! III
u smiling aspects Of nature, which minist
In with prompt obedience to the behes:s
l.. science; and, when not toiling in appoir
~ ed labor for the great taskmaster, man, l
g fresh and recreate his senses and his mil
is with the eyer varying pageant Of this bea
of tiful universe.
r. Last of all-crowning like flame
~ Iambent brightness this poetic pyramid
10 cxistencs-fashes and flickers, gltters nj
In sparkes, the beautiful demon, witho
whose attendance we never see the not
magician and his grave aspect Of commar
- Ariel seems to me TO represent the ilghe
mt intellect separate from moral responsibilil
st- His power and knowledgesare, in some n
he poets, greater than those Of bis master. q
- lashes up the tempest roundlbe Island (;
~ saves the King and his crew from the sh
by tonic and Sebastfap; and the clumsy p
The of the beast Caliban. lie wields imme
pd ate influence over the elements, and co
.. prehends. without condemnation or SYM
". thy. (Which are moral resnlts,) the sin a
OF suffering Of humanity. Therefore, becal
ur- he is only a spirit of knowledge. he is ms
ing subject to the spirit Of love; and the wi
ar, subtle. beautiful, powerful creature is co
,he PEELED to serve, with mutinous wavwardn
in. and unwilling subsection, the human 81
oea that pitied its harsher slavery to sin, a
I'M. set it free from it; and after compelling
to with wise and necessary severity to
fulflmept of it's duties, yearns after it v
ind the fearful eyes Of tender, human love. wh
,en its wild wings flash away into it's newly
ver covered region Of lawless liberty.