Shakespeare’s Self-Portrayal in 'The Tempest': A Hidden Autobiography?
Shakespeare, the legendary playwright, did not officially write any explicit details of his life into his plays. However, there are strong indications that he might have done so, notably in his magnum opus, The Tempest. This play seems to mirror his personal life, particularly his retirement plans, and offers a poignant reflection on his own mortality and the passage of time.
The Echo of Retirement
Shakespeare's declaration of retirement in The Tempest is eerily reminiscent of his actual life. Just like his character Prospero, who plans to relinquish his magic, Shakespeare himself decided to retire from playwriting shortly after. This coincidence is not merely coincidental but rich with symbolic meaning. In the final scenes of the play, Prospero “retires,” stating his intention to leave his magical life behind:
Our revels now are ended. These our actors
As I foretold you were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And like the baseless fabric of this vision
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
This farewell speech by Prospero serves as a metaphor for Shakespeare’s own leaving, with the “great globe itself” representing the Globe Theatre, where many of his greatest works were premiered. The line about “the baseless fabric of this vision” aptly describes his own creation and the relationship between him and his theatrical world.
Personal Allusions and References
Shakespeare's personal life is interwoven with The Tempest in more ways than one. The play features an aging father named Prospero who is separated from his family, mirroring Shakespeare’s own situation. Prospero and Miranda, his daughter, were exiled together, a parallel to Shakespeare’s estrangement from his wife, Anne Hathaway. Anne had long passed away, and their relationship was colder than ever due to infidelity and estrangement. Shakespeare left his wealth to their daughters, leaving only his "second best bed" to Anne, a symbolic act of humiliation and separation.
And he left his wealth to his daughters, he had no surviving sons, and only the “second best bed” to Anne Hathaway, a kind of insult and mockery of their marriage and relationship.
This is reflected in the character of Prospero, who relies more on his daughter Miranda for companionship and guidance, as his wife seems to be absent or non-existent. This portrayal is a touching tribute to Shakespeare’s own pain and disappointment in his personal life.
Prophetic References
In The Tempest, Prospero also poeticizes his past, “Our revels now are ended.” This line is not only biographical but serves as a veiled prophecy of Shakespeare's own life. The detailed allusions to theatrical life, including actors, spirits, and palaces, allude to the world of theater and its fleeting nature, as well as Shakespeare's own career and mortality.
Conclusion
In essence, The Tempest is a profound exploration of Shakespeare’s own life and the period leading up to his retirement. Each character and situation in the play can be seen as a reflection of his own life, wit, and emotions. These coincidences and reflections suggest that Shakespeare was indeed writing an autobiographical account of his life in this masterpiece, showcasing not only his literary genius but also his profound understanding of human nature.
Additional Reading
For a deeper exploration of Shakespeare's life and works, consider the following:
The Life of William Shakespeare by Alex Wilding The Making of the King: Shakespeare's Sonnets and Tragedies by Jonathan Bate Shakespeare's Own Theater: The Globe by Gary Taylor