Archetypes In The Tempest

Psychoanalysis is the theory that attempts to explain how the mind functions, looking at the interactions between the conscious and the subconscious. Psychoanalysis is primarily based on the works of Sigmund Freud and his version of the study is called Freudian Theory, or Personality Theory. Freud believed the subconscious had three main parts: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego, and that the subconscious developed during childhood. Carl Jung, one of Freud’s students, disagreed with the notion that the subconscious was completely developed in childhood, and went on to create his own version of psychoanalytic theory. Jung argued every person’s subconscious is formed of the ego, the personal unconscious – which was basically Freud’s unconscious,

Shakespeare uses characters that fit into archetypal roles because this allows the audience to connect with the play more, as they understand the character archetypes because, as Jung believes, they are part of the collective unconscious. Shakespeare primarily uses archetypes in order to create a more universally relatable play that will stand the test of time, able to be understood and interpreted by anyone who watches, while also creating depth by changing characters’ archetypes throughout the story or revealing their hidden

Prospero is the protagonist of the play, and multiple details put him in the spotlight as the righteous party in the play. Tuğlu states that “it is not a coincidence that Prospero [...] has the ability to control the island under his own desires”, as Prospero gives a powerful, controlling speech that sets him up as the hero (63). One part of this speech gives the reader a clear definition of how Prospero is the hero includes his history as the Duke of Milan. He tells Miranda that he was once the Duke, and that his brother could not just outright kill him to take over because “So dear the love of [his] people” for him. This tells the reader that Prospero was a just Duke, as his citizens would not let him be executed, even while he was being removed from the position in an uprising. The love his people held for him lets the reader know that Prospero is a