The Role Of Master And Servant Relationships - 1231 Words

Discuss the role of master and servant relationships in Early Modern comedy Introduction During the Shakespearean era the possessing a servant was more common as it is today. The servants play critical roles in the master’s life to the extent that some masters fully relied on the servants to function effectively in their day to day life duties. The importance of master-servant relationship cannot be overlooked. In the Shakespearean plays depicted strong relationship between master and the servant. Some of the relationships were entirely authoritative others were more or less like that of employer and employee. The following essay tries to review the Shakespearean plays and specifically the theme or rather nature of the relationship†¦show more content†¦Grave sir, hail! I come To answer thy best pleasure; be’t to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curled clouds. To thy strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.-- (I, ii, 189-93. 2001) The book Tempest give numerous incidences that the relationship of the master-slave is oppressive for instance, if we examine Prospero’s relationship with other characters like Caliban, we can discover the true nature of Prospero’s power and how he exerts it on his servants. Caliban is the regarded less human a son of Sycorax (the witch), so he is portrayed as something perilous and evil. Caliban’s appearance is of particular importance because he generates an initial reaction from the audience based on his physical appearance. From the start, it is easy to form a dislike of Caliban based on his repulsive appearances described in the play, but as the character begins to unfold, we see that there is more to Caliban than an unattractive exterior. This is clearly shown when he states, This island s mine, by Sycorax, my mother (1, ii, 189-93, 2001) The words rekindle the memory of Prospero taking over the island and made Caliban his slave. In an attempt to make the island full his progeny, Caliban tried to rape Prospero’s daughter Miranda, the daughter of Prospero. This monstrous behavior made him a victim of Prospero’s tyranny in the play. A factShow MoreRelatedMaster/Servant Relationship in Taming of the Shrew754 Words   |  4 PagesThe relationships between servants and masters closely reflect the gender relationships in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio and Tranios relationship as master and servant is an ideal of the Renaissance era. Tranio risks taking the place of his master because of his love for him and Lucentio always treats him with kindness and respect, almost like an equal. Lucentios relationship with Bianca reflects his role with Tranio: Bianca shows respect for Lucentio as he cherishes her andRead MoreRelationships in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew1498 Words   |  6 PagesMa sters and Husbands/ Wives and Servants: The Ideals of Renaissance The relationships between servants and masters closely reflect the gender relationships in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio and Tranios relationship as master and servant is an ideal of the Renaissance era according to An Homily on the State of Matrimony. Tranio risks taking the place of his master because of his love for him and Lucentio always treats him with kindness and respect, almost like an equalRead MoreThe Power Of Master And Servant Relationship In The Tempest1219 Words   |  5 Pagesmanifested in several different ways: the power of love, the power of master-servant relationships, the power of magic, and the power between men. 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