How Does Shakespeare Use Forgiveness In The Tempest

Forgiveness, a basic concept engrained deeply into various different religions around the world, attracting the attention of scientific research psychologically and socially. This simple concept of letting go of one’s grudges against another to free them exists in our society, but often remains challenging to accept. While struggles come with true forgiveness, this prospect serves as an essential part of humanity to promote peace. Shakespeare rifts on these ideas in The Tempest. Towards the exposition of the play, Prospero’s desire for revenge causes his actions to promote violence. Later in the play, he forgives his enemies to free them from his wrath. Shakespeare uses Prospero to convey ideas regarding the lust for power, the pursuit of vengeance,

Throughout The Tempest, Shakespeare depicts Prospero as the ultimate puppet master, pulling each individual’s string towards his master plan. Along with his bossy and controlling attitude, Prospero claims “it was mine art/ that/… let thee out” (I.ii.351) to force Ariel into obedience. Hence with Prospero’s demands, Ariel sets up the encounter between Miranda and Ferdinand, causing them to fall in love, resulting in Prospero “rejoicing/ at nothing can be more” (III.ii.114-115). Considering the amount of power he possesses, Prospero wants to try to maintain the power. In order to keep the power, Shakespeare makes Prospero’s attitude demanding to explain the effects of having excessive amounts of power. Presenting Prospero as the bitter tyrant, Shakespeare expands on how power corrupts a person. Not satisfied with their current status, he addresses the issue of these people constantly craving

Since the Tempest, Prospero says that his “project gather to a head” having spirits obey and work to torment his enemies (V.i.1). However, Ariel gives Prospero a wakeup call pushing Prospero to reflect on his actions and finally decides to take part in his “nobler reason/ in virtue than in vengeance” (V.i.31-33). Besides continuing to pursue revenge, Shakespeare uses Prospero realizing that actions should be driven by noble impulse rather than vengeance to portray the power of forgiveness. Because Prospero turned away from revenge, his forgiveness reconciled relationships and prevented the play from turning into a tragedy. Considering the two paths, vengeance and forgiveness, illustrated throughout the play, Shakespeare creates a contrast between violence and peace. Along the course of The Tempest, he wants readers to know that people possess the capacity for forgiveness to bring joy and peace back into the world, and restore hope for