William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

One may find it ridiculous to contrast between Shakespeare and existentialism in its 20th century form,
however one must keep in mind, that existentialism does not appear as a single philosophical system. It is
more an attitude of life, a general vision - existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre is known to have stated that
existentialism was never invented, it has always existed as the ultimate foundation. Upon that light, why not
seek the foundations from the work of the forefather of all dramatists?
It is above all naļve to claim Prospero’s Epilogue in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest a mere conventional
appeal for applause or the stripping of the imaginary glamour built up by the plays magic. Even the greatest of
artists would rather give away his life than surrender his art to be judged solely by the public. Art for an artistic
genius is practised for its own sake; art for the purpose of art. Existence for the sake of existence itself -
stripped of meaning, of value and of subjective interpretation. In its bear meaningless form, something still
remains: the necessary Natural Law, a philosophical concept considered the basis of human well-being, a
system of the values that determine human existence.
Throughout The Tempest Prospero’s character portrays an image of a nearly Nietzchean superhuman capable
of disclaiming authority, killing God. He is in control of every situation and event as if the chain of causes and
effects would be a conductible melod...

William Shakespeare

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