The Search for Paradise

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how William Shakespeare and Andrew Marvell both hint at the idea of a golden world or Paradise in their works, "The Tempest" and "The Garden," respectively. It looks at how the island in "The Tempest" is what triggers the concept of Paradise or a better world in the play and how the island is where Prospero envisions numerous possibilities; it is, for him, a place of magic, a place where he can exert control and do as he pleases. The island for Prospero is the Garden of Eden, and he is God. In contrast, it shows how the poem, "The Garden," by Andrew Marvell, reflects Marvell's emotions and feelings about the repercussions of war and its impact on society, and the desire of Marvell to create an idealistic or utopian world is depicted in his reference to Paradise.

From the Paper:

"The island is what triggers the concept of Paradise or a better world in his play "The Tempest." The island is where Prospero envisions numerous possibilities; it is for him a place of magic, a place where he can control and do as he pleases. The island for Prospero is the Garden of Eden and he is God. The feeling of the island being paradise and his ideal world can be depicted from the ending of this play when Prospero, who is obsessed with taking revenge from his brother, actually forgives him for dethroning him. Although he works very hard to work out his revenge, in the end he decides to forgive the culprit for the conspiracy against him. His intention to harm his brother is obvious nevertheless his faith and peace with the concept of this island as his paradise is what enables him It is the island which transforms Prospero into giving up his bitterness and choose forgiveness over vengeance."

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