How Far and to What Extent Is Redemption Achieved in the Two Plays You Have Studied?

The Tempest explores redemption through the themes of the corruption of power and ambition. The degeneration of character after being subjected to twelve years on a fantasy isle allows Shakespeare to tackle the debate of nature verses nurture. In response to dynastic change Shakespeare looks at temporal power and it’s affect on political instability. From the outset redemption is possible but Prospero must come to terms with his own corruption first.

In Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf redemption is focused through the theme of truth over illusion. Albee responds to the challenging and changing with the title a metaphor represented through the song ‘who’s afraid of the big bad Wolf’ combined with Virginia Woolf, and her core philosophy of her poetry to ‘peel labels’ of illusion to reveal the truth. The possibilities for redemption are less evident with no catalyst for change; for truth to triumph over illusion, George and Martha must come to terms with their own failed American dream.

The Tempest starts with an unstructured scene that takes shape through set directions ‘Miranda helps him disrobe’ alluding to his removal of supernatural power and into that of true power. Through a compassionate appeal Miranda attempts to placate Prospero, by prompting him to look into the ‘dark backward abyss’. The rhetorical question ‘what foul play’ causes him to self examine his own degenerate self, the first steps to redemption. The Jacobean expectation that nurture will always triumph over nature dominates the outcome, as self betterment is the key to redemption and this is best seen through nobility.

Miranda is attributed heavenly characteristics, ‘cherubin, thou wast that did preserve me’. Due to Miranda’s impact for good, her spontaneous response of empathy and compassion she can be seen as the voice of divine providence ensuring Prospero’s virtue. This interpretation is strengthened by the arrival of Ferdinand, which indicates motivation beyond revenge, demonstrating...