Exploring Mazursky

English 90AS: Reading Genres | Fall

2011 Abby DelBianco, Sarah Elsakr, Chinny Sharma, Cathy

Wang

Fast-Write (3 minutes)How would Prospero’s trials and situations be different if he had been directly involved in his own downfall?Cite examples from the text if necessary.

The Tempest (1982)New York City, New YorkPhilip the famous architectAntonia (Philip’s wife) & Alonzo (Philip’s boss) Philip, Miranda, Aretha, Kalibanos on an abandoned Greek isleAlonzo and his crew shipwrecked

Film ClipsSarahPhilip and Antonia fighting in New York

AbbyFreddie and Miranda meeting on the Greek isle

CathyPhilip day-dreaming in New York

ChinnyThe closing scene of the film

Prospero v. PhilipFast-Write assignment

Exile v. escape

Reliability as a protagonist (characterization based on his insanity)

The closing scene of the movie

Do you think Philip is still in control throughout the movie?We’ll continue discussing the closing scene with Chinny

Roles of WomenAntonia & Dolores v. Miranda & Aretha

Appearance associated with personality

Obsession with sexuality

What is the purpose of including women in the plotline?

What concepts or problems do they represent (absent in the original)?

Revenge v. Midlife CrisisInterior v. exterior conflictsInterlude v. exileFantasy and reality: the ideal situation

Is Mazursky trying to say something completely new with this change in plot?If people have the option of a brief escape, would most people take it?

ReconciliationAtmosphere of the concluding scene (short, nonchalant, inconclusive)Characterizing Prospero as virtuous or manipulative?Aretha’s character dancing with Alonzo – what’s up with THAT?Why does Philip apologize to Kalibanos?