“Both The Tempest and Translations are ostensibly about ‘Broken Communications” Do the final parts of the play justify this statement?

Both The Tempest and Translations are ostensibly about `Broken Communications

Do the final parts of the play justify this statement

Despite contrasts language is the main are of attention in both plays with everything spinning off from its difficulties and possibilities . In both plays broken communication creates divisions between characters and it is apparent that this theme could be seen and interpreted as the most prominent and important . However , I feel that there are other important themes that contribute perhaps just as importantly as that The endings may heighten this theme

, but in both plays broken communication is apparent throughout the entire play , not just the ending . Perhaps without this build up the endings would not have the dramatic effect that they do particularly in `Translations

`Translations ' by Brian Friel is based on true events and is set in a very traditional part of Ireland in 1833 . When Lancey , the English officer , arrives his presence and attitude threatens the past , present and future of Ireland . Most audiences could take an instant disliking to him . His lack of empathy for the Irish highlights his character as manipulative and cruel his best show of this and his change in .manner and attitude ' is the ending of the play . Lancey cannot communicate with the Irish due to the language barrier but he overcomes this by using Owen (who can speak both languages ) as an interpreter . But this causes a problem for Owen as he feels loyal to his Irish community and family , so has internal conflict and finds simpler , nicer ways to translate . The ending of the play is perhaps the clearest point of broken communications as Lancey feels more important and doesn 't listen to their feelings he issues threats , evictions and killing of livestock . Lancey is the epitome of broken communication , as many things spiral from what he says and s . The end of the play leaves the audience wondering the fate of the Irish community and such characters as Manus , Sarah and the unseen Donnelly twins

Manus , broken hearted and ` (close to tears , ran away for something more , his feelings were either ignored or interpreted wrong by Maire . In the end she found comfort in Yolland and it seems that Manus was crushed , due to the language barrier he couldn 't even act on his emotions as Yolland does not speak Gaelic . I couldn 't even get close to them , The wrong gesture in the wrong language ' This situation demonstrates the difficulty faced between the two cultures the Irish and English , with the exception of Owen , cannot get along as the trouble of communication is too strong to overcome . There is no resolution in the play as the communication and trust breaks and disintegrates gradually throughout the second half of the play (the arrival of the English ) This ending clearly acknowledges ad justifies this statement

Unlike `Translations , `The Tempest ' by Williams Shakespeare is not based on true events , it is fictional . It was Shakespeare 's last play and was...