Date of Award

1997

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

English

First Advisor

Anna K. Nardo

Abstract

Representing Shakespeare's "Brave New World" is a descriptive analysis of Latin American appropriations of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. The first part explores the written appropriations by Jose Enrique Rodo, Roberto Fernandez Retamar, Edward Kamau Brathwaite, Aime Cesaire and George Lamming. The second part analyzes four major dramatic appropriations of The Tempest: a 1989 production by the Chilean company El Conventillo, a 1994 adaptation by the Chilean company La Bordada, a 1991 version by the Venezuelan company Rajatabla and a 1992 production by the Mexican company Por Amor Al Arte. Representing Shakespeare's "Brave New World" also explores the connection between these Latin American appropriations of The Tempest and the culture and literature of Latin America. Specific consideration is given to these appropriations' treatment of the Latin American "third view" of the world (historically symbolized first by Ariel and then by Caliban), magical realism, the trickster hero, and the "carnivalization"/"cannibalization" of Shakespeare's text. Finally, Representing Shakespeare's "Brave New World" argues that some Latin American appropriations not only respond to the colonialist subtext of The Tempest, but read the play as the comedy of Latin America with Caliban as its chief comedian, thus restoring the play's celebratory mode.

ISBN

9780591591361

Pages

354

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6484

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