How Does Shakespeare Present Sebastian In The Tempest
In The Tempest, Sebastian is known as the brother of the King of Naples, Alonso. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses several techniques to reveal this character in the story. Here, I will only be discussing three of those techniques: what Sebastian does, the reaction of others to Sebastian, and what Sebastian says.
One way William Shakespeare reveals Sebastian is through what Sebastian does. In Act 2, scene 1, Antonio repeatedly attempts to lure Sebastian into the idea that killing his brother, Alonso, would be a satisfactory act because it would lead to Sebastian becoming the new King of Naples. “Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent. As thou gotst Milan, I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword.” (879). Through these actions, we can see that Shakespeare was revealing that Sebastian is a cowardly, gullible character, envious of his brother.
Another way Sebastian’s character is exposed is through the reaction of others to him. All throughout the opening of Act 2, scene 1, Alonso is attempting to handle the disappearance of his son, Ferdinand. Sebastian was not being as understanding as he could have been. “My Lord Sebastian, The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness,..” …show more content…
Just as before, in the beginning of Act 2, scene 1, Gonzalo tries to console King Alonso during this time, but Sebastian and Antonio do the opposite while making fun of Gonzalo. “Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss, That would not bless our Europe with your daughter, But rather lose her to an African, where she, at least, is banished from your eye Who hath cause to wet the grief on’t.” (873). In this quote, Shakespeare is showing us that Sebastian is that guy that is quick to blame others, in this case Alonso, for dilemmas that nobody can help. Through what Sebastian says, Shakespeare is also pointing out that he Sebastian is not the most kind, nor caring
One way William Shakespeare reveals Sebastian is through what Sebastian does. In Act 2, scene 1, Antonio repeatedly attempts to lure Sebastian into the idea that killing his brother, Alonso, would be a satisfactory act because it would lead to Sebastian becoming the new King of Naples. “Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent. As thou gotst Milan, I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword.” (879). Through these actions, we can see that Shakespeare was revealing that Sebastian is a cowardly, gullible character, envious of his brother.
Another way Sebastian’s character is exposed is through the reaction of others to him. All throughout the opening of Act 2, scene 1, Alonso is attempting to handle the disappearance of his son, Ferdinand. Sebastian was not being as understanding as he could have been. “My Lord Sebastian, The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness,..” …show more content…
Just as before, in the beginning of Act 2, scene 1, Gonzalo tries to console King Alonso during this time, but Sebastian and Antonio do the opposite while making fun of Gonzalo. “Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss, That would not bless our Europe with your daughter, But rather lose her to an African, where she, at least, is banished from your eye Who hath cause to wet the grief on’t.” (873). In this quote, Shakespeare is showing us that Sebastian is that guy that is quick to blame others, in this case Alonso, for dilemmas that nobody can help. Through what Sebastian says, Shakespeare is also pointing out that he Sebastian is not the most kind, nor caring