Ch 8-9 Shakespeare Allusions in BNW Group Discussion

Objective: Analyze the significance of Huxley’s allusions to Shakespearean drama in Brave New World.

  1. The titular allusion to Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” refers to how things can look good when a person is blissfully ignorant, but that with knowledge/enlightenment some seemingly good things reveal themselves to be detrimental to individuals or society. Use the passage from chapter eight below to answer the following questions.
  2. In the passage below, why does Bernard provide cautionary words for John? What does Huxley foreshadow with Bernard’s question?
  3. In general, what aspects of World State’s society look good but are actually bad?
  4. Is the United States today a “Brave New World”? Describe some specific aspects of contemporary American society look good but are actually bad.

The young man drew a deep breath. "To think it should be coming true-what I've dreamt of all my life. Do you remember what Miranda says?"

"Who's Miranda?"

But the young man had evidently not heard the question. "O wonder!" he was saying; and his eyes shone, his face was brightly flushed. "How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!" The flush suddenly deepened; he was thinking of Lenina, of an angel in bottle-green viscose, lustrous with youth and skin food, plump, benevolently smiling. His voice faltered. "O brave new world," he began, then-suddenly interrupted himself; the blood had left his cheeks; he was as pale as paper. "Are you married to her?" he asked.

"Am I what?"

"Married. You know-for ever. They say 'for ever' in the Indian words; it can't be broken."

"Ford, no!" Bernard couldn't help laughing.

John also laughed, but for another reason-laughed for pure joy. "O brave new world," he repeated. "O brave new world that has such people in it. Let's start at once."

"You have a most peculiar way of talking sometimes," said Bernard, staring at the young man in perplexed astonishment. "And, anyhow, hadn't you better wait till you actually see the new world?"

  1. Paraphrase what Shakespeare saysin each of these three quotes.Then, relate each to BNWas they all appear in chapter nine.
  1. Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice,
    Handlest in thy discourse, O, that her hand,
    In whose comparison all whites are ink,
    Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure
    The cygnet's down is harsh…
    Troilus and Cressida(I, i)
  2. On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand may seize
    And steal immortal blessing from her lips,
    Who even in pure and vestal modesty,
    Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin.
    Romeo and Juliet(III, iii)
  3. If Iprofane with my unworthiest hand
    This holy schrine, the gentler sin is this:
    My lips, two pilgrims, ready stand
    To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
    Romeo and Juliet(I, v)
  1. Macbeth is a play where Shakespeare shows how ambition and power corrupt people and inspire violence. Where do you see themes of ambition and power corrupting in BNW?