However, this concept of a power imbalance reflecting theatre roles is able to stretch beyond the third scene of the third act, it can be applied to the other segments of The Tempest as well. Knowing that this play is called The Tempest and that Prospero is the supposed main protagonist of the play as well as the creator of the tempest that marooned the king and all his men, the readers are able to surmise that the power lies in Prospero’s hands. By establishing this concept and by also reaffirming the previously mentioned production quality that Prospero’s entire revenge plot seems to exhibit, the audience is capable of viewing not only Ariel as a type of “performer,” but also all the other inhabitants of the island. Throughout the play, Prospero …show more content…
For example, through his carefully planned out stage directions of ordering Miranda to stay away and Ferdinand to perform hard labor, Prospero was able to get Ferdinand and Miranda to fully inhabit the roles of forbidden lovers which helped play right into Prospero’s overall production of revenge by subtly entering back into a position of power. Another instance of Prospero taking on performers for his play stems from Caliban and the two drunk members of the royal party. Once he hears of the murder plot being planned against him, Prospero immediately takes action, placing traps in front of the trio in order to lead them right to the spot he wants them to be in at the end of the play; by giving them this silent type of script, Prospero is further able to push the image of Prospero as a type of victim to King Alonso and his party instead of the orchestrator of their vengeance. Overall, Prospero’s ability to take on the role of a stage director gives him the authority to exercise this directing power over those he considers to be his performers in his general stage production of …show more content…
Often, when writing a stage production, a stage director needs to fully place himself in the position of their audience; though the director is often the creator of the production they are directing, the audience normally determines whether the production is an overall success or failure or whether certain parts of the production are working in the overall composition. When crafting a stage production, a director tends to take one aspect of the audience into deep consideration: the audience’s reactions to certain scenes or events. It is a common goal for stage directors or creators of all types to try get the audience to feel a certain way about a certain scene, characters, or settings; this is done through mainly the power and strength of a stage performance and can leave the audience feeling a variety of emotions. Overall, in this manner, the stage director is attempting to somewhat manipulate the emotions and overall feelings of the audience or, in other words, bring the audience under his
In the comedic, yet thrilling play, The Tempest, William Shakespeare uses characters such as Caliban, Alonso, and Ariel to show Prospero’s immense cruelness and pure monstrosity. Moreover, these Shakespearean characters are also used to highlight Prospero’s change in character into a kinder and more forgiving person. Prospero starts the play out as a vengeful monster, after an illuminating moment however, his persona transforms into his true identity of a compassionate man.
Throughout the play, Prospero is a figure who talks at rather than to the other characters, including his daughter Miranda, Prince Ferdinand, and Ariel, his airy servant. At the end of Act IV Prospero is caught up in the ecstasy of punishing and determining the fate of his foes. The beginning of Act V, however, marks a change in the character of Prospero, which averts a possible tragedy. Prospero is unsettled even though his plans are reaching fruition. In his talk with Ariel for the first time we see an actual conversation take place. In addition, in the line "...And mine shall." (Shakespeare V.i.20) we see a change of heart on the part of Prospero, and in the following monologue the audience is privy to introspection and contemplation even beyond that of the end of the masque in Act IV "We are such stuff as dreams are made on..."(Shakespeare).
... For instance, Miranda and Ferdinand believe that they have chosen each other, when in fact Prospero orchestrated their falling in love from the outset. By using reverse psychology to make the couple think he does not approve of Ferdinand, Prospero catalyzes a rebellion against himself with the purpose of bringing the couple together. In the end, Prospero reveals himself to King Alonso and his men.
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.
portray his degraded, brutish nature. In Act 1 Scene 2 Caliban complains of how Prospero used h...
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.
William Shakespeare's The Tempest Act One, Scene One This scene introduces the play, and is set during on a ship during a ferocious storm. The passengers are the royal party of the King of Naples, and include the King Alonso, his brother Sebastian, the Prince Ferdinand, and the King's counsellors, Gonzalo and Antonio. The storm, which begins the play, isn't real, but has been conjured by Prospero, a magus, to lure the passengers to his island. This storm is also representation of the metaphorical storm which involves the tumultuous emotions of the play's characters as it continues. The island where Prospero lives is used by Shakespeare as it is completely isolated, and so any action which takes place on it is completely removed from outside influences and complications.
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.
Prospero’s magic and the manner in which he uses his powers unethically reveals his willingness to go to any lengths to achieve his goals. He uses physical and psychological manipulation to achieve his goal of regaining his dukedom, disregarding the possible effects of his actions on those he manipulates. Prospero abuses his power over his servants so they can perform the tasks needed to execute his plan. Prospero also benefits from the manipulation of his own daughter. His influence in Miranda and Ferdinand’s relationships is to his advantage in furthering his scheme for vengeance.
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
The nucleus of the plot in Shakespeare's The Tempest revolves around Prospero enacting his revenge on various characters who have wronged him in different ways. Interestingly enough, he uses the spirit of Ariel to deliver the punishments while Prospero delegates the action. Prospero is such a character that can concoct methods of revenge but hesitates to have direct involvement with disillusioning his foes. In essence, Prospero sends Ariel to do his dirty work while hiding his involvement in shipwrecking his brother, Antonio, from his daughter, Miranda.
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".
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 orchestrates the events of the play with ease, his magic giving him the power to manipulate the characters and environment around him. This almost omniscient power that is presented pushes the audience to question what is real and what is not. Because the audience is not directed involved with the play's plot, they cannot be strung along by Prospero's magic, allowing for objective viewings of what is actually occurring. These contrasting perceptions can be applied to the characters in the play as well; What are mere illusions to Prospero is reality for everyone else on the island.
... 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.