IBDP English A – Pastiche

What is Pastiche?

Pastiche is a literary, artistic, musical, or architectural work that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche celebrates, rather than mocks, the work it imitates. It can be used to honor the original work, to study the original’s style and structure, or to blend multiple styles together.

Example of Pastiche

Imagine a modern writer creating a short story in the style of Edgar Allan Poe. The writer might use Gothic elements, a dark and foreboding setting, a mysterious plot, and elaborate, archaic language to emulate Poe’s style. However, the story itself might be original, not a direct copy of any of Poe’s works.

How to Analyze a Pastiche

1. Identify the Source(s): Determine which author, style, or genre is being imitated.
2. Examine the Elements: Look at specific features that characterize the original style. This might include language, tone, themes, and structural elements.
3. Purpose and Intent: Consider why the author has chosen to create a pastiche. Is it to honor the original, to critique it, to explore its themes in a new context, or to entertain?
4. Effectiveness: Evaluate how well the pastiche captures the essence of the original. Does it successfully replicate the style and elements? Does it offer something new or unique?

Literary Elements in Pastiche

1. Style and Diction: The choice of words and sentence structure to mimic the original author’s voice.
2. Tone and Mood: The emotional quality or atmosphere, matching the original work’s mood.
3. Themes: Central ideas or messages that are consistent with the original work.
4. Plot Structure: The way the narrative is organized, often mirroring the original.
5. Character Types: Using archetypal characters from the original work.
6. Imagery and Symbols: Visual descriptions and symbols that are typical of the original style.

Sample Pastiche

The Tragic Tale of Fisheth

Act I

Scene I: A desolate shoreline. Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches.

First Witch:
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Second Witch:
When the hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.

Third Witch:
That will be ere the set of sun.

First Witch:
Where the place?

Second Witch:
Upon the sandbank.

Third Witch:
There to meet with Fisheth.

All:
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
(They vanish)

Scene II: A sea-washed shore. Enter Fisheth, a fisherman, alone.

Fisheth:
So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
What are these creatures, so withered and so wild in their attire?
Speak, if you can: what are you?

First Witch:
All hail, Fisheth! Hail to thee, Thane of Nets!

Second Witch:
All hail, Fisheth! Hail to thee, Thane of Waves!

Third Witch:
All hail, Fisheth, that shalt be king hereafter!

Fisheth:
Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:
By my rod, I know I am the Thane of Nets;
But how of Waves? And King? The seas cannot
Yield such a title. Speak, I charge you.

(The Witches vanish)

Fisheth:
(Aside)
This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill; cannot be good: if ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success,
Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Nets.
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man
That function is smothered in surmise,
And nothing is but what is not.

(Enter Banquo, another fisherman, and Angus.)

Banquo:
Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear
Things that do sound so fair? I’ the name of truth,
Are ye fantastical, or that indeed
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner
You greet with present grace and great prediction
Of noble having and of royal hope,
That he seems rapt withal: to me you speak not.
If you can look into the seeds of time,
And say which grain will grow and which will not,
Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear
Your favours nor your hate.

Angus:
He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Waves:
In which addition, hail, most worthy sir,
For it is thine.

Fisheth:
(Aside)
Two truths are told,
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme.—I thank you, gentlemen.

(Exeunt Banquo and Angus)

Fisheth:
(Aside)
If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.

End of Act I.

Guiding Question: How does “The Tragic Tale of Fisheth” successfully emulate and reinterpret the stylistic and thematic elements of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in a maritime setting?

Sample Response

“The Tragic Tale of Fisheth,” a pastiche of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” effectively emulates the Bard’s distinctive style while transplanting the story into a maritime setting with a fisherman as the protagonist. The pastiche employs Shakespearean language, metaphors, and imagery to maintain the authenticity of the original text while exploring similar themes of ambition, fate, and guilt. This analysis examines the various literary tools used in the pastiche, including diction, imagery, tone, symbolism, and thematic elements.

One of the most striking features of the pastiche is its use of Shakespearean diction and language. The text carefully replicates the archaic language and phrasing characteristic of Shakespeare’s works, with words like “thou,” “thee,” “hie,” and “thine” creating an authentic Elizabethan atmosphere. This attention to linguistic detail extends to the use of iambic pentameter, which, although not always strictly adhered to, mimics the rhythmic pattern of Shakespeare’s verse. For example, lines such as “Two truths are told, / As happy prologues to the swelling act” capture the natural cadence of Shakespearean dialogue. The use of metaphorical language is another hallmark of the pastiche, with vivid metaphors that mirror Shakespeare’s style. The line “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage” effectively conveys the transient and insubstantial nature of life, echoing the existential reflections found in “Macbeth.”

Imagery in the pastiche vividly conjures the coastal setting, enriching the narrative with a sense of place that differs from the original Scottish Highlands but retains a similar atmosphere of foreboding and mystery. The sea and its associated elements serve as powerful symbols throughout the text. The shore, waves, and storms are not just physical features but also metaphorical representations of the protagonist’s turbulent inner world and the chaotic forces of fate and ambition. This maritime imagery complements the dark, supernatural elements introduced by the witches, who now speak of sea-related prophecies and omens, such as the “Thane of Nets” and “Thane of Waves,” cleverly integrating the nautical theme into the original prophecy structure.

The tone of the pastiche remains consistent with the somber and ominous mood of “Macbeth.” The dialogue and soliloquies capture the psychological depth and moral complexity of the characters, particularly Fisheth, whose internal struggles with ambition and guilt mirror those of Macbeth. The witches’ cryptic prophecies and Lady Fisheth’s manipulative encouragement further intensify the tragic tone, driving the protagonist toward his inevitable downfall. Symbolism plays a crucial role in this pastiche, with elements like the “Thane of Nets” and “Thane of Waves” symbolizing the fisherman’s rise in power and the entangling nature of his ambitions. The imagery of the sea, with its vastness and unpredictability, serves as a metaphor for Fisheth’s uncontrollable desires and the inescapable consequences of his actions.

Thematic elements in the pastiche closely align with those of “Macbeth,” exploring timeless themes such as the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition, the interplay between fate and free will, and the psychological toll of guilt and paranoia. Fisheth’s journey from a humble fisherman to a figure of tragic grandeur reflects the universal human struggle with these forces. By retaining the core themes and stylistic elements of Shakespeare’s original work, “The Tragic Tale of Fisheth” successfully honors the source material while offering a fresh and engaging reinterpretation. Through its meticulous use of language, imagery, tone, symbolism, and themes, the pastiche not only pays homage to “Macbeth” but also demonstrates the enduring relevance of Shakespearean tragedy in new and imaginative contexts.

How Did I Prepare the Analysis?

1. Understanding the Requirements: To begin, I carefully reviewed the assignment guidelines to understand the expectations for the textual analysis. I needed to examine how the pastiche emulated and reinterpreted the stylistic and thematic elements of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” within a maritime setting.
2. Revisiting “Macbeth”: I revisited Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” to refresh my memory of its key scenes, characters, and literary techniques. This involved a detailed reading of the play, focusing on the use of diction, imagery, tone, symbolism, and themes. I paid particular attention to the language used in soliloquies and dialogues, the dark and ominous atmosphere, and the overarching themes of ambition, fate, and guilt.
3. Analyzing the Pastiche: Next, I conducted a close reading of “The Tragic Tale of Fisheth,” my pastiche of “Macbeth.” I took notes on specific literary elements that mirrored those in the original play. This included identifying examples of Shakespearean diction, the rhythm of iambic pentameter, and the use of metaphors and symbols related to the maritime setting.
4. Identifying Key Literary Tools: I outlined the key literary tools used in the pastiche, focusing on five main elements: diction and language, imagery, tone, symbolism, and themes. I made a list of specific examples from the text that demonstrated how these elements were employed. For instance, I noted the archaic language, the nautical imagery, the consistent somber tone, the symbolic use of the sea, and the exploration of themes like ambition and guilt.
5. Structuring the Analysis: I organized the analysis into clear, focused sections, each dedicated to one of the five key literary elements. I aimed to create a logical flow, starting with diction and language, moving through imagery and tone, and concluding with symbolism and themes. This structure helped ensure that each aspect of the pastiche was thoroughly examined and connected back to the original “Macbeth.”
6. Writing Detailed Paragraphs: For each section, I wrote detailed paragraphs explaining how the pastiche used specific literary tools to emulate and reinterpret Shakespeare’s style and themes. I provided direct comparisons between the pastiche and “Macbeth,” highlighting how the maritime setting added a unique dimension while preserving the essence of the original play. For example, I discussed how the use of sea-related imagery and symbols like the “Thane of Nets” and “Thane of Waves” enriched the narrative and aligned with the themes of ambition and fate.
7. Ensuring Depth and Clarity: I made sure each paragraph delved deeply into the literary analysis, offering clear explanations and textual evidence. I aimed to articulate how the pastiche’s language, imagery, tone, and symbolism worked together to create a cohesive and engaging narrative that honored Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
8. Seeking Feedback: Throughout the writing process, I sought feedback from peers and mentors to ensure the analysis was comprehensive and insightful. Their input helped me refine my arguments, clarify my explanations, and ensure that the analysis met high standards of quality and accuracy.
9. Final Review: As a final step, I reviewed the analysis for coherence, consistency, and clarity. I ensured that the formatting was professional, the arguments were well-articulated, and the text was free of grammatical errors. This final review helped polish the analysis, making it a seamless and engaging examination of the pastiche’s literary techniques.