Corniche
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2023
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I see an interesting parallel between Theoden, King of Rohan and Alonso, King of Naples in 'The Tempest'.
As with Theoden, when Alonso first appears in the story we see that he has been made weak through malign manipulation - the wicked Anthonio, brother of Prospero, is responsible - he is like a mix of Saruman and Wormtongue.
As in LOTR, it takes a good and powerful sorcerer - Prospero in this case of course - to cast off the controlling influence of Anthonio and to restore Alonso to his true nobility and power.
It has been noted that Tolkien had major reservations about Shakespeare, but he certainly knew the plays well, and we can perhaps accept that he might have been influenced by certain elements within them - especially The Tempest which contains such strong elements of magic and fantasy.
By the way the trio of Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano might make an interesting parallel to Smeagol, Sam and Frodo.
As with Theoden, when Alonso first appears in the story we see that he has been made weak through malign manipulation - the wicked Anthonio, brother of Prospero, is responsible - he is like a mix of Saruman and Wormtongue.
As in LOTR, it takes a good and powerful sorcerer - Prospero in this case of course - to cast off the controlling influence of Anthonio and to restore Alonso to his true nobility and power.
It has been noted that Tolkien had major reservations about Shakespeare, but he certainly knew the plays well, and we can perhaps accept that he might have been influenced by certain elements within them - especially The Tempest which contains such strong elements of magic and fantasy.
By the way the trio of Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano might make an interesting parallel to Smeagol, Sam and Frodo.
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