The characters in Shakespeare's Othello and The Tempest use stories to explain their personal history or change the course of events. These are not simple stories; rather, it’s about complex and thought-provoking ways to enrich each piece and move the action forward. This article examines some of the stories told in each play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay First, in order to successfully seduce Desdemona, Othello tells her about his military experience which tells of his bravery and honor. Questioned by the Duke and Brabanzio, Othello pleads his case against the charge of deception. He recounts his introduction to Desdemona and how she experienced "the story of my life", stating: "She loved me for the dangers I had passed through,/And I loved her for taking them in." pity” (1.3.128, 166-7). ). The telling of this story becomes a story in its own right, as he persuades the Duke to exonerate Othello of any wrongdoing; the purpose of this passage is to provide the first layer of narration from which the reader can derive the characterization of Othello and, conversely, of his preliminary adversaries. Just as the story succeeds in convincing the court, it also succeeds in convincing Desdemona of Othello's worth as a soldier and, as a result, has earned the general a wife and "a world of kisses" (1.3.158) . The significance of the stories, explained specifically in this passage and alluded to in others, is that they create a radical contrast between the descriptive story of what actually happens to Othello and what Iago says. Iago depends on the power of rumor to advance his desire. to kill Othello. A simple murder would be too easy; Iago wants to shatter his opponent's life, to fashion the "net that will entangle them all" (2.3.355-6). Thus, Iago tells stories that create deep-rooted feelings of jealousy and resentment in Othello's mind. In the end, the most destructive rumor that Iago spreads is that of Desdemona's potential infidelity. This story and the devastation it causes reveal a new side of Othello. So far, the reader only knows of Othello's impressive military victories as he describes them to the Duke; once Iago intervenes, we see a violent and jealous side of Othello. As Iago describes to Othello, there is a “monster in your mind/Too hideous to show!” ", that is, Othello is thinking about something for which, Iago posits, he is not responsible (3.3.111-2). Iago makes it seem like he had nothing to do with Othello's change, which helps him achieve his goal: Othello's complete mental breakdown. Iago's stories trap Othello in a web of lies and cause him to exhibit vile traits and commit shameful acts that culminate in the murder of his wife. Just as Iago's rumors advance the plot of the play "Othello" and bring his adversary to ruin, Prospero's stories tell Miranda and the audience surprising parallels between his past and that of his "slave", Caliban. Although at first glance it seems like Master and Slave are opposites in title and description, the stories told by each are strikingly similar. At the start of The Tempest, Prospero provides his daughter with the long-awaited truth about their past in Milan; Prospero was the “duke of Milan, and his only heir/and princess no worse” (Tempest, 1.2.58-9). He then recounts the events of his dismissal by his brother Antonio, to whom he had initially entrusted "the management of my state" (1.2.70). While Prospero devoted his time to studyof the "liberal arts", he gave his brother full control of the government, which ultimately led to the impeachment and banishment of Prospero and his daughter. Although this story provides a context in which the audience can compare the magician's acts of vengeance, a more interesting comparison arises when the creature Caliban is introduced. The reader learns that Caliban was the original host who welcomed Prospero and Miranda to their arrived on the island and that it was in fact he who provided them with food and shelter so that they could survive. The language of each character's personal introduction reveals that in reality Prospero and Caliban experienced relatively similar depositions and, at the end of the play, contemporary rises. As Prospero tells Miranda, after his brother rose to power, Antonio quickly became expert at perfecting "how to grant prosecutions, how to refuse them, who should advance and who / throw in the trash for overreach » (1.2.79-81). ). Antonio had effectively taken control of the “creatures” that originally belonged to Prospero and was using them to further his own goals (1.2.82). Having control of the government, Prospero's brother had "both the key/Of the officer and the office" and "set all hearts in the state/To what pleased his ear", i.e. that is, he did exactly what he wanted without consulting the government. original “first duke” (1.2.83-5, 72). Antonio, Prospero notes, had betrayed him in the most vicious manner; his “confidence,/ Like a good parent, begot from him/ A lie” (1.2.93-5). While delivering a speech that mirrors the language of Prospero's conversation with Miranda, Caliban characterizes the wizard in a manner similar to how Prospero described his disloyal brother. The creature recounts how he initially took Prospero in and, after learning how to “name the greater light and how the less,” he “then loved [Prospero]” and “showed him all the qualities of the island.” (1.2.338-40). At first, Caliban trusted Prospero completely, just as the Duke trusted his brother. Then, just as Antonio had done with Prospero, the magician did the same with Caliban by usurping the creature's control over the island and claiming it as his own. Over the course of just a few pages, the reader discovers two stories that seem at first glance to distance the cultured, erudite and civilized conjurer from the primitive and crude Caliban, but in reality show that the two characters share more than just the island they inhabit . With Prospero's plan a success and his duchy awaiting him in Milan, he suggests that he will leave the island and return with his daughter, his future son-in-law and the rest of the castaways. Before Prospero closes the play, he orders Caliban to leave after receiving a rather insincere apology from the offending creature. Although the stage directions do not note that Caliban makes an aside in this passage, it appears that he addresses the audience directly after chastising himself for following Stephano and Trinculo. After receiving Prospero's mercy, Caliban declares "I will be wise from now on", referring to how he will act when other new guests arrive on his island in the future (5.1.298). Based on this statement and the public's knowledge of Prospero's intentions to return to Milan, it appears that the magician will resume his role as duke and that Caliban will once again become the ruler of his own island. Keep in mind: This is just a sample.Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a Custom EssayAlthough these stories and tales present themselves as mere background for the casual member of the.