The Tempest was written in 1611 as Shakespeare’s last romantic comedy. This play is focused mainly on the theme of power. Shakespeare portrays an aging magician who has been living in exile with his young daughter on a remote island for the past 12 years. Shakespeare presents forms of power in different ways, but mainly through the characters of Prospero. In The Tempest Shakespeare shows 3 different types of power, which are through love, power over his slave Caliban, and power of magic.
Prospero uses the power of love to influence his daughter Miranda. Prospero knows that Miranda is devoted to him so he uses guilt to maintain her devotion. Miranda tells her father “Alack, what trouble/Was I then to you!” (I.2.153.154) her saying that to him shows that because of Prospero making her feel guilty, she is willing to do anything just for him. “Had I been any god of power, I would/Have sunk the sea within the earth…” (I.2.10.11). This quote indicates that she understood the extent of her father’s power and she had possessed the same amount of power, she would use it differently with Prospero. His power over Miranda is one that is continuously in this play. Prospero does say “I have done nothing, but in care of thee, /of thee, my dearest one…”(I.2.16.17) when he says that he makes it known that he does love his daughter and only trying to protect.
Prospero’s trust is broken with Caliban because he tried to rape Miranda. There is no evidence of rape, however Miranda was the only female on the island practically supports the idea. Caliban being a natural creature he would not know the different in societies rule against sexual engagement. Prospero learns from his second betrayal, apparently tyrannical state is revealed in verbal abuse ...
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... teaching him. However later realize his intentions are good and that he did want Caliban to be taught. Having said the power of his love over his daughter helps him develop as a better father and allow his daughter freedom in marriage that she deserves. Ending of Prospero retiring from his magical powers represents his development in becoming the ideal ruler. In order for him to do this, he must give up his rights to magic and allow his power to come the loyalty of his people. The power over Caliban teaches him to be less self-indulgent and him not wanting to help Caliban after his actions says that he is not completely vain. When Prospero drops his stick that is like Shakespeare dropping his pen when he was done with this play. He knew that The Tempest would be his last one before he retired and Prospero knew he was done being controlling and forgave his enemies.
Prospero is a very powerful man who is out for revenge. At this point in the play, and in his life, he seems to only care about himself and his daughter. He is bitter at the loss of his Kingdome from his own family and she has been the only one who is there for him which isn’t exactly by choice. It is easy to see how hurt he is from what has been done to both him and his daughter. For the first time he is telling Miranda about the journey that led them to the island, “I pray thee, mark me /I thus neglect worldly ends, all dedicated / To closeness and the bettering of my mind” (1.2.107-110). While he is telling his daughter this story he is making sure he is being seen as innocent, saying he was just trying to better himself when this happened.
Trust is a main theme between Miranda and Prospero’s relationship. We see this first in the opening scene with Miranda and Prospero when they are stood on the island looking at the shipwreck as Miranda questions her father; “You have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them” (William Shakespeare, 2008. The Tempest: The Oxford Shakespeare The Tempest (The Oxford Shakespeare: Oxfords World 's Classics). P.101, Reprint Edition. Oxford University Press.) This conveys that Miranda believes her father started the horrific storm, questioning his trust. There are many points throughout this play that Shakespeare shows how Prospero is very much in power of Miranda. One being; “I have done nothing but in care of thee, of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who art ignorant of what thou art; naught knowing…” (William Shakespeare, 2008. The Tempest: The Oxford Shakespeare The Tempest (The Oxford Shakespeare: Oxfords World 's Classics). P.102, Reprint Edition. Oxford University Press.) Shakespeare has explored the father/daughter relationship between these characters right at the beginning and the reader is able to establish that Prospero is hurt by the fact his daughter who he dearly loves, does not trust him. Their relationship is very loving and you see that Miranda is the apple of Prospero’s eye even from their first entrance. However,
“I have used thee, filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee in mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child.” This tells us that Caliban has tried to rape Miranda at some point, and that Prospero treated Caliban much better before the attempted rape occurred.
Having been usurped and wrecked on an Island Prospero and his young daughter Miranda have to settle. It is here in Prospero's past that it first clear to see where any confusion about his character may appear. As a learned and powerful man Prospero is able to take direct control of the island, he frees a trapped and tortured spirit (Ariel) and befriends the inhabitants (Caliban). Prospero 'helps' Caliban, he tries to educate him and teaches him to communicate, in exchange Caliban helps Prospero to survive on the Island. But in taking power of the Island Prospero is committing the same act that happened to him as Duke of Milan, now Prospero himself has become the usurper. In this act of goodness Prospero has unknowingly shown his evil side.
In summary, Shakespeare’s The Tempest play explores the theme of opposition to the colonial-style authority of Prospero based on various characters’ covert and overt reactions to the master’s antics. For instance, Ariel opposes Prospero’s continuous detention of the former regardless of an earlier agreement to the contrary. Moreover, Caliban expresses his dissatisfaction with the forced labor that her does for Prospero. To prove his opposition to Prospero’s authority, Caliban plans the master’s death. Miranda also makes a statement that indicates her displeasure with the way Prospero executes his authority especially with regard to Ferdinand. The imprisoned Ferdinand also indicates his opposition to Prospero’s power through a disproving statement made before Miranda.
He frees Ariel, pardons Caliban, and plans to return to Milan where Miranda and Ferdinand will be married. Prospero gets everything he wants—his dukedom, a powerful son-in-law, and a return to society. Works Cited and Consulted Corfield, Cosmo. "Why Does Prospero Abjure His 'Rough Magic,'" Shakespeare Quarterly. 36 (1985): 31-4 8.
Shakespeare's "The Tempest" forms a world within itself. Within this world, many topics regarding government, power and colonization are addressed. Shakespeare tackles the discovery of new places and races, the relationship between the colonized and the colonist, old world ideologies on new soil, as well as theories on civilization and government. These aspects at the core reveal a very clear struggle for political power. Prospero's first major monologue creates the foundation of such a theme. In 1.2 lines 30-175 Prospero tell his story recounting the usurpation of the power he had as Duke of Milan, then quickly renews his power on the island. Prospero beings his story with an authoritative tone stating: "Obey and be attentive" (1.2 48). Desiring political power and authority becomes the core from which other themes derive.
Sometimes it takes any advantage to attain power. Prospero secures power on the island through his use of magic and manipulation. He is in control of all of the events in the play since he essentially has all of the power. It is also revealed how he maintains his power by exploring the use of his manipulative magic and the hold he has over those around him. By using his magical influence over the natives he has enslaves, Prospero invokes fear in Ariel by stating, “If you complain any more, I’ll split an oak tree and lock you up in it till you’ve howled for twelve years” (Shakespeare 37). He uses his power as a fear tactic to make the native people do his bidding for him. He also uses his magic against those he has shipwrecked on the island. He puts them in a trance to keep him busy until he needs them again, “My magic powers are in full swing, and my enemies are confused and running around in circles. They’re under my control, and I’m keeping them in their crazy fits” (Shakespeare 143). By entrancing the men from the boat, Prospero can keep them under his bid until he sets himself on a course of action. As he states, “.., my enemies have happened to wreck their ship on this island. As I see it, my fate hangs on this lucky event”, he must be precise in how he handles cultivates these people or he will risk the possibility of his plan unraveling before him (Shakespeare 27). The idea behind him having magic is to set him apart
Prospero does have power over others in many ways though. He has obtained his subjects through the powers that his books give him, but he cannot make his subjects be pleased about it. Caliban clearly does not love Prospero and
Although we hear the story of Prospero's eviction from Milan from him, the manner in which he tells his history inspires distrust -- Prospero is pompous, self-pitying and apparently unforgiving. The nature of Prospero's rule as revealed by Act I is not pleasant. When duke of Milan, he trusted his brother Antonio too much, and consequently nearly lost his life, as well as his dukedom. On the island, he befriended Caliban, brought him into his house and treated him as a member of the family -- and repeated the pattern of trust, which was again betrayed, when Caliban attempted to rape Miranda. Although Prospero learns from this second betrayal, he goes to the other extreme. Prospero's apparently tyrannical stance is revealed in his exile and verbal abuse of Caliban, as well as his tirade and threat to imprison Ariel again "till / Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters".
Prospero’s decision to relinquish magic coincides with his decision to forgive Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian, freeing him from the burden of revenge. Moments prior to his declaration that he will renounce his magic, Prospero says, “Yet with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury / Do I take part: the rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance…” (5.1.26-28). His “nobler reason” has a greater impact on his rational than his “fury”, resulting in his decision to free Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian after harbouring years of ill will against them. Prospero’s use of alliteration places emphasis on “virtue” and “vengeance”, and the contrast between the positive and negative connotation of his diction proves his understanding of the importance of forgiveness. Therefore, his power no longer has a corruptive influence upon him. Soon after he gives up his magic, Prospero also sets Caliban free, which in turn frees himself from the burden of his hatred for Caliban. Prospero tells Caliban, “Go, sirrah, to my cell… as you look / To have my pardon, trim it handsomely” (5.1.292-293). Prospero’s reference to Caliban as “sirrah”, although not respectful, still shows a stark change from the insulting manner in which Prospero previously spoke to Caliban. Prospero’s offer to give Caliban “pardon” shows development in their relationship since their mutual hatred for each other at the beginning of the play. Prospero’s decision to give
This time however, Prospero used his daughter as bait in order to draw Ferdinand closer in the hopes of getting them married. He wants to regain his title as the Duke of Milan. Prospero presents himself as a victim of injustice, however his belief of justice and injustice is somewhat contradicting. He takes advantage of this authority over other people and situations he encounters while using his integrity and compassion to mask his dangerous plans and to retain love and respect. The Tempest in the end suggests that love and compassion are more effective political tools than violence, hatred or even abusive magic.
Throughout The Tempest, Caliban is seen as being wicked, brutal and being ruled all the time, but is very keen with his senses. Prospero, however contrasts this and is very powerful, intelligent, and is a natural at ruling and having control over others. When Prospero and Miranda first arrived on the island where Caliban is a native they got along quite well, however after Caliban tried to rape Miranda, so things went down hill. This is symbolic of women who lose their virginity. It also shows how women are weak compared to men and how men are stronger and more powerful then women. Because Caliban tried to rape Miranda, Prospero imprisoned Caliban. As Prospero says to Caliban:
Caliban is evil is the fact that he tried to rape Miranda, Prospero’s daughter as states by Barbara Fuchs in her article Conquering Islands: Contextualizing the Tempest where it says, “Caliban’s attack on Prospero’s daughter once more genders the colonizing impulses” (61). This suggests rape and it is not inhuman and it shows that Miranda is not the first woman who this has happen to. It not right, it’s evil. Caliban’s character in this book is horrible in the things that he does, he starting off has an evil monster that was born from an evil parents and he goes around causing trouble wherever he goes. As a servant, he does evil deed and by himself he is evil.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, is full of symbolism, imagery, and point of view; throughout the play Shakespeare uses these literary devices to convey a message of betrayal, forgiveness, and lessons learned. In the first act, Prospero uses his magic to create a storm that shipwrecks the King of Naples on the island. Like the storm, Prospero's anger is apparent; yet he never wants to do any real harm to the crew. The crew is safely washed ashore on to what seems to be the ideal utopia. Prospero is not an evil guy, he may be controlling and bitter, but only because he lost his dukedom, to his own family. The purpose for his actions essentially lead to forgiveness and a lesson learned by Antonio and Alonso. In the end everyone seems to get what they deserve.