MovieChat Forums > The Tempest (2011) Discussion > Reason for the gender change

Reason for the gender change

posted 10 years ago by Romojo
2 replies | jump to latest

I saw a "Shakespeare Revisited" show, presented by Trevor Nunn (who did an excellent 'Twelfth Night') that made the point that with a male Prospero (as per the original), you're involved with possible Oedipus conflict and competition for Miranda's affections between Prospero and Ferdinand. With a female Prospero, that's all put to one side.

My paraphrasing. And separately, wasn't Helen Mirren wonderful in this role?

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To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven. J B Priestley

[–] Mhjm6 10 years ago

Absolutely and it gives the relationship with Caliban a sharpened chemistry as well.

[–] GoodRed 9 years ago

That's very interesting and all, but the real reason was simply to give Helen Mirren (who was washed up at the time) a job, as she's a friend of the director.