The Mayflower Pilgrims

On June 2, 1609, five hundred colonists set out in nine ships from Plymouth in association with the imperial Virginia Company. It was the aim of this expedition to fortify John Smith's colony in Virginia. While eight of the party's vessels securely arrived at Jamestown, the flagship, aptly christened the Sea Adventure, was conspicuously absent. This ship--which carried the fleet's most valuable cargo, the admiral Sir John Somers and the future governor of Virginia Sir George Somers--was …showed first 75 words of 1015 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1015 total…in Prospero's journey. As Michael Greenwald points out, "Summer Shakespeare Festivals . . . are hardly the place for bold, deconstructive interpretations."6 Indeed, many contemporary directors eschew political interpretations of the play and find retreat in The Tempest 's florid Greenworld where villains emerge forgiven and kingdom's unite in fortuitous and blissful wedlock. Is this a misinterpretation of the play? Post-colonial scholars would argue yes; Propero's renunciation proves hegemonic and serves only to disguise the workings of imperialism.