Essay Questions

What are the major themes developed in the film ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’ by Hank Rogerson?

The major themes developed by Rogerson in the film are compassion, liberty, and recovery. All the prisoners behind bars have accepted their wrongdoings, and they are asking for pardon so that they can be set free. Similarly, Prospero is looking for a way to pardon all those who wronged him. Readers take note that this film is developed behind bars, implying that the inmates have no freedom. The prisoners are yearning for liberty to start life afresh. Consequently, the theme of pardon and redemption go hand in hand. For instance, the inmates have accepted that they wronged society, but they seek forgiveness to redeem themselves from prison.

Why is Hal struggling to get information from prison to report?

Hal is depicted as an individual who was disconnected from his parents since he was a young child. While Hal was a child, he rarely communicated with his parents, which affected his ability to interview to get information. When Hal tries to acquire information from jail to compile his news, but he fails terribly. No inmate or individual wants to talk to Hal because he is disconnected from people. The reader finds it satirical that Hal decided to be a journalist, a task that needs good connections to excel despite being a lonely guy.

How does the author use imagery to show that the world and time are constantly on the move?

If there is something that is constantly in motion, it is time. Everything in prison is standstill, but the inmates are surprised at the speed at which time moves. As time elapses, the inmates are yearning for freedom more. The author says that the prison walls and other structures are standstills, but time is moving fast. Time is moving at a similar speed to that of the clouds. Therefore, the author shows readers that inmates have no option but to remain in prison until their freedom comes.