In the opening scene of the play, there is a great storm that forces nobles on the ship such as Antonio and Gonzalo to speak directly with servants, the boatswan. The danger and chaos of the storm upsets the usual balance in social hierarchy by forcing nobles to speak directly with lower classmen. In lines 16-17 the boatswain speaks to Gonzalo, saying, “Hence! What cares these roarers for the name of the King?” What is the significance of this quote? What does it say about nature and social hierarchy?
ENGL 201 | British Literature to 1800
Myra Seaman | Fall 2012
The significance of this quote is that boatswain is willing to do anything for the king though they are in dangerous conditions with the storm out at sea. It is saying that nature (in this case the storm) does not regard the “kind” of people it runs into, but it comes and goes no matter what is in its way. Boatswain thinks that the social hierarchy of him being below Antonio and Gonzalo is not important within this quote because they are all traveling as one unit and the storm being dangerous affects all of them the same way and it’s not like Antonio and Gonzalo are protected from it just because they are of a higher class. So, they must all do their duty accordingly.
Boatswain’s is a statement that is made to clarify that he is not disregarding the fact that there is a king on board; however he will attempt to save the men on the ship from death whether he was a noble man or not. This quote explains the significance of social hierachy and nature because of the mere fact that there is an assumption that the men should go the extra mile to save someone of noble importance like the king. The fact remains that whether the king was on board or not, the nature of humans in a situation like this is to survive to the effort to live will be equal.
I agree with everything that is said previously above me. I definitely associated Boatswain’s attitude with that of a captain who will never abandon ship. The most important thing to the captain and the crew is to take care of the ship and get from point A to point B. That’s the priority at sea. I think Boatswain is also just getting annoyed at this point because he is trying to take care of the ship and still being pestered by Gonzalo and the other passengers.
I believe that the significance of this line is to show that nature has no regard for social hierarchy and that Boatswain knows this and is willing to do whatever possible to save the ship and his crew regardless of who is on the ship, even if it is the King. If there was not a storm and their lives were not in danger, the social hierarchy may have moved Boatswain but that power that the King holds in his stature does not mean anything if he is dead.
I think that this view is more compelling and honestly more interesting than some others, at least from a literary stand point. True this quote does show that the Boatswain disregards the social standings of the men on the ship and values all life equally, but it also shows that natures disregards humanity and the social rankings within it. The unbiased nature of nature (sorry about that) is a theme that in universal within literature and has been, clearly, for centuries. This quote not only portrays nature as unforgiving but as fair. Whether you are the kind or not, you need saving. Whether you are a peasant or not, you deserve it.
I, like Aubrey, viewed nature as one of the most significant elements of this quote (and so far, throughout The Tempest) While it does portray the ocean’s lack of acknowledgment to social hierarchy and it’s fair and neutral role that it plays, the quote also shows Boatswain as having an understanding of nature, which is something that the others on the ship (thus far) are lacking. It paints him as having a clear understanding and perhaps frustration with the invisible social lines that are drawn, and almost a bondage with the ocean in that the strict social hierarchy causes more suffering than not.
I strongly agree with the points that Aubrey is making. Bottom line is that nature does not know social status and does not have preference when it comes to doing any sort of damage. For this reason alone, Boatswain made the comment the way he did. He was trying to inform everyone else on the boat that they were in danger and needed to get out. All of the side comments and statements were completely unnecessary at this point. Whether Boatswain had any hierarchy or not, he did what he needed to do in order to save ship.
I agree with what the rest of these comments in that the Boatswain would regularly realize the social hierarchy, but in the danger of the waves of the storm where he has the experience and knowledge, he disregards their authority and acts on his own accord. I would like to point out, however, that at the beginning of this scene we can see a clear social hierarchy between the Boatswain and the Master. The Master is very clearly in charge of the Boatswain and this is shown through their interactions. In this instance, the social hierarchy is very much intact. This, however, is a different type of hierarchy. Rather than being a hierarchy between a nobleman and a sailor, the interaction of the Master and the Boatswain is between two sailors. This is important to note because it may be that, in these matters, hierarchy depends more on experience and qualification rather than on lineage or wealth.
I really like that you brought up the fact that the time when the heirarchy still seemed to be in place, was more between the Boatswain and the master, rather than between the sailors and the King. It is important for everyone to live and therefore the Boatswain will do whatever he feels necessary to survive, even if it goes against the social construct of that time. The king may have not ordered it, but at that point it all comes down to individual actions. He’s not trying to be offensive or “stick it to the man” per say, he is just attempting to survive in the way that he knows best. He is the one with the sailing experience, whereas the King does not have the experience needed to help them make important decisions to ride out the storm. The heirarchy changes from King -> Boatswain to Boatswain -> King based off of the current situation and their experience, not their ranking based through society
As has already been stated, this quote by the boatswain emphasizes nature’s disregard for any social hierarchy or class status of humans. Beacuse everyone on the boat is in the same predicament, and they are at risk of death, they are all of the same status in that moment. It does not matter who the king is and who the servants are, nature views them as all the same and will claim any of their lives regardless of hierarchy. This statement proves that the boatswain acknowledges his king but is telling him that his power means nothing against the power of nature.
I agree with Cyrus’ post regarding Boatswain’s comment because I do not think that Boatswain meant to be disrespectful to the King. However, the storm changes the voyage into a life and death situation and it places all of the people on the same playing field. The storm exposes how true human nature exposes itself even in the face of social hierarchy.
I agree that the Boatswain did not mean to offend or act disrespectfully towards the noble class members aboard. Throughout the scene, one can sense his frustration with the other characters and their concern for saving the King. The Boatswain attempts, with that quote, to enlighten these men that nature pays no attention to the hierarchy their society has constructed. To the storm, they are all equal. The real need is to not just worry about the King, but to get to work and try to save everyone aboard or else they will all drown.
I agree with almost all of the comments above me, especially the ones that insist the Boatswain meant no disrespect to the King. He simply wants to tell that the roarers, meaning the thunder, does not care if the king is the king or a simple peasant. Nature has no regard for the social hierarchy. Antonio and Gonzalo, of course, are upset by the Boatswain’s rude nature as well as leaving their lives in the hands of the lower class.
I agree with all the comments above me. The Boatswain is aware that nature has no regard for social hierarchy. It wasn’t meant to show disrespect for the king, but was simply a blunt response. I would also like to point out that a few lines later, after Gonzalo has reminded the Boatswain who was on board his ship (the king), the Boatswain responded with, “None that I love more than myself.” I think this might suggest that, although he has respect for the king and will do everything he can to save the people on his ship if the need arises, he will save himself above everyone else. This seems to tie in the theme of nature’s Survival of the Fittest, with nature’s lack of regard for social hierarchy.
I agree with all of the above comments. This quote represents the depletion of the normal hierarchy on the ship due to natures unbiased ruling. I believe it also is describing Boatswain’s feelings towards the situations in that he does not want to show disrespect towards the King, but he also is thinking more of the people as a whole to protect. I agree with Garrett that this quote is a good representation of the theme, nature’s survival of the fittest with natures lack of regard for social hierarchy.
“The king and prince at prayers. Let’s assist them, for our case is as theirs.” I thought this line was pretty funny and sums up Gonzalo’s response to the deadly storm. While the boatswain is rounding up the sailors in an attempt to save the boat and its people, Gonzalo and Antonio mope around and complain – they’d rather hope and prey than do any actual work to help their cause. Then Antonio says “Let’s all sink wi’ th’ king”, as if whatever happens to the kings should happen to them. The boatswain sees their reaction and I think in a less meaningful scenario probably would have mocked and ridiculed their stupidity but since their lives were on the line he was just pissed – and rightfully so. “If you can command these elements to silence and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more. Use your authority.” The boatswain basically tells them that if they can order the storm to stop then they should continue babbling. But if they can’t then they should shut their mouths, quit being useless, and do something productive – attempting to help save the boat is one thing that comes to mind. I thought this scene was pretty funny and definitely felt for the boatswain. He’s trying his best just to not die and Gonzalo and Antonio are useless appendages that keep getting in the way. I thought it was hilarious that Gonzalo and Antonio looked down upon the boatswain and actually thought they were doing a better job than him. The boatswain is completely pissed that these morons are the privileged ones, while he, the productive member of society is, well, a boatswain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJmtVqQSWHk skip to 1:30. The boatswain would totally agree with Louis CK’s lion theory.
I really agree the most with what Vincent has said thus far, (and I really appreciated the clip of Louis CK — that was a great touch). The video itself was great because it really did relate to the whole boat scene. I found it interesting when CK was talking about the lions to weed out people and it would be great among those who were almost just handed things in life and never really had to work for anything. That to me tied into the whole idea of a courtly class during the Medieval times where rulers were just born into their status, no one earned anything or worked for it. In addition to all that, the opening scene on the boat demonstrates the distinction of the social classes during this time period. I think the storm was symbolic in multiple ways, and agree with all the reasons aforementioned by my classmates. What I don’t agree with however, is if the Boatswain meant his comments to be rude or hurtful. Yes, I think he was more or less caught up in the moment and was concerned with saving the lives of an entire boat so he let his emotions get the better of him, however, I do think his lines in this scene were supposed to be subtle digs. The fact that Antonio and Gonzalo were depicted as almost weaklings in the situation with no control or power really emasculates them and their status. The whole storm scene goes to show that in life, no one is exempt from the same fate based on their standing or status. The world doesn’t care, and in the long run, we all end up having the same problems and things to worry about. So, this scene was great because I really think it was meant to demonstrate that their is no real difference among the classes and it was a way to bring everyone back down to the same level.
As most people have pointed out, this scene shows that nature is a great equalizer, but at the same time it offers an opportunity to humble great men, to completely reverse the social hierarchy. As Gonzolo says in Lines 60-1, “Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground.” At sea these land-lubber lords are powerless, humbled both by sea and those who wield the closest thing to power over it. When they try to assert their authority, the Boatswain says (as Garret points out) that despite the King of Naples being on board, there are “none that I more love than myself.” This statement reveals the survivalist nature that exists for men at sea. There is only one authority: the sea.
The quote displays the growing sentiment in England and all over Europe that when it comes down to it there is really difference between the nobility and the common people when it comes to survival.
It demonstrates the utter necessity of breaking the social order in this situation. social hierarchy comes second to saving his fellow man.
I think that the boatswain’s comment shows a measure of respect for the king yet acknowledge that there is a social hierarchy on board, yet in a situation like this, a storm which may kill them everyone is…in the same boat… He even mocks Gonzalo during the course of the storm saying, ” Use your authority. If you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin,” saying that his power in the realm of Italy is pretty much null and void and only the men of the sea can really do much of anything in this situation. We do see a definate difference in class though as Antonio refers to the boatswain and the rest of the crew as “drunkards” who have led them to ruin in this storm. All of it however, is out of their hands.