4/6/2021 Nature versus nurture - Themes - KS3 English Revision - BBC Bitesize

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Part of English The Tempest

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Nature versus nurture

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The theme of nature versus nurture is presented on a number of levels in The Tempest. There
is the natural beauty of the island, that Caliban tells us about with the “sounds and sweet
airs” (Act 3 Scene 2). Then there is the comparison between what is natural and what is
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civilised. Miranda represents a natural innocence and naivety, whereas Caliban represents
something savage, uncivilised and “unnatural”.

Gonzalo, in Act 2 Scene 2, talks about a commonwealth where nature and man would work
together more harmoniously. At the same time the supposedly civilised men, shipwrecked on
the island, are mostly shown as greedy drunkards and traitors.

Did you know? Gonzalo’s speech is based on an essay by a writer called Montaigne. In
his essay On Cannibals Montaigne compares a Native American tribe’s society and
culture with Western society.

Analysis of nature versus nature in the play

Question
What does Gonzalo long for?

Reveal answer

Question
What does Prospero suggest when he says, “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature/Nurture
can never stick” Act 4 Scene 1?

Reveal answer

Question
Why is the theme of nature versus nurture important to Ariel?

Reveal answer

Shakespeare examines the natural state of man in a number of plays:

Macbeth – this is a tragedy that examines greed and power. Perhaps Shakespeare is
suggesting this is the natural state of humans!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – this is another play with lots of magic...you could compare
the natural with the supernatural.

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