"To locate The Tempest in the literary field does not necessarily foreclose the possibility of a particular reading of the play; rather, it simply requires that such a reading be grounded in a historically specific negotiation between the text and the normal political attitude of the theatre-audience" (Keesey 38).
This concept is fairly new to me. So far we have been looking at the authorial intention of a piece of literature by searching for what the author was trying to accomplish, or what the society was doing at the time period. This essay focuses more on the importance of the "theatre-audience", and finding the meaning of the text that Vanessa and I look for (as well as everyone else) lies in the interest of the audience in the specific time period. This seems more like a reader-response approach mixed with a historical approach, and I really am enjoying this approach to a piece of literature. Shakespeare created the characters' personas because he understood what the audience would appreciate, and thus, playing with their emotions when one of those characters performs in the play.The main idea that I disagreed with is the concept that Shakespeare's invite to have the audience in the time period pass a judgment on the character, provides the moral authority for the story. I think that could be true, but Shakespeare does know his audience, and knows what's going to appeal to them. I think that Shakespeare understood his audience's thoughts, which made him the genius that he was, but he could have made a play that didn't appeal to his audience, and it still would have been deep and meaningful.
Posted by The Gentle Giant at February 12, 2007 6:15 PMI disagree. How can you have a meaningful anything if it doesn't appeal to anyone (with the exception of these literary criticism essays, which are plenty meaningful, but not necessarily fun reads)? In order for your works to be talked about and given appreciation, you have to first draw people to them. Without any kind of fan base, your works fall into obscurity, and the next thing you know your book is sitting in the 10 cent box at the Education Club's used book sale (which is this weekend by the way--if Tiffany hasn't told the world yet).
Though, perhaps I'm mistaken on your usage of "appeal" (not because it could be used different ways, but because my vocabulary sucks and I don't know if it means something else), but perhaps you mean that the audience doesn't have to like the play to get something out of it. Then I'd agree.
Posted by: Valerie Masciarelli at February 15, 2007 1:22 AMThe last part of your statement is very important, because that is the message that I am trying to get across. Just because someone doesn't like a piece of literature, does not deem it meaningless.
Posted by: Jason Pugh at February 22, 2007 12:45 AM