Betrayal is a foundation of trust that is broken or violated resulting in a moral conflict between individuals. In The Tempest by William Shakespeare, Prospero begins the play with a scheme to seek revenge against his brother, Antonio, to avenge his exile. Prospero’s plan is the effect of Alonso’s jealousy producing Prospero to hold other characters captive to ensure his goal. The other characters either attempt to revolt against Prospero or obey his commands in exchange for freedom. The emotion of envy creates the cycle of treachery between the characters, Antonio and Prospero. As an act of jealousy, Antonio overthrew Prospero’s throne of the dukedom to banishment with his daughter. For example, Prospero states, “Or else new-formed ‘em - having …show more content…
both the key of officer and office, set all hearts i’ th’ state” (Shakespeare 517). Prospero explains how Antonio dethroned him by turning Prospero’s people against him because Antonio was desperate for power. Henceforth, Antonio’s actions leads Prospero to seek vengeance to justify for his cruelty. “The direful spectacle of the wrack, which touched the very virtue of compassion in thee, I have with such provision in mine art so safely ordered that there is no soul—No, not so much perdition as an hair betid to any creature in the vessel—Which thou heard’st cry, which thou sawst sink” (Shakespeare 515). As justification, Prospero attempts to comfort Miranda’s pity on the ship full of men by explaining his necessity for causing the storm. Considering Prospero’s journey to sustain his brother’s decisions, he must be focused to accomplish his goal, even if it requires to neglect the necessity of his new servants.
It is questionable whether which character betrayed the other first, but Prospero held Caliban hostage and mistreated him after Caliban helped him navigate through the island. Consequently, Caliban cries, “When thou cam’st first, thou strok’st me and made much of me; wouldst give me water with berries in’t… And then I loved thee and showed thee all the qualities o’th’ isle…Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me in this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me the rest o th’ island” (Shakespeare 524). As a result, Caliban regrets his kindness to Prospero because he took his generosity for granted and treats him like a caged animal. Furthermore, Prospero commands Caliban around aggressively that generates a relationship between them full of hatred and tension. Prospero demands Caliban, “Hagseed, hence! Fetch us in fuel. And be quick, thou’rt best, to answer other business. Shrug’st thou, malice? If thou neglect’st or dost unwillingly what I command, I’ll rack thee with old cramps…” (Shakespeare 526). As a result, Prospero authorizes and abuse Caliban to help him and his daughter be sheltered by fetching supplies; regarding Caliban’s safety and
wishes. Despite Caliban’s lesser power against Prospero, he holds authority over Stephano from his lack of soberness. Caliban has Stephano in belief of being King if he pursues to kill Prospero, “Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be King and Queen—save our Graces!—And Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?” (Shakespeare 562). With Trinculo by his side, Stephano will rule the island with Miranda as his Queen and Caliban as his servant. When in reality, Caliban is manipulating Stephano to murder Prospero because Caliban could never do it himself. An example, Caliban impatiently orders Stephano, “The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean to dote thus on such luggage? Let’s alone, and do the murder first…” (Shakespeare 580). Caliban has no patience when Stephano and Trinculo gets distracted from the marvelous clothing proving, Caliban wants them to do the deed before he gets caught in the act as an accomplice. In conclusion, The Tempest by William Shakespeare displays multiple scenarios and characters of disloyalty. The events that occur between the roles cycle from one individual to another that initiates a recurring cycle. As a consequence of Antonio’s resentment, his mentality emerged him to beguile his own blood. Presumably, Prospero responds to his brother’s manipulation by shipwrecking his boat onto the same island he was sent away to. As Prospero strategizes, he is accompanied by the creatures on the island and held them captive to assist his plan. After being damaged for so long, Caliban revolts against Prospero by exploiting Stephano and his drunken state of mind. Caliban influences Stephano to execute Prospero in exchange of a luxurious life, but his true intention is to get rid of Prospero without doing the job. Overall, the cycle of betrayal can be continuously repeated itself unless it is stopped by forgiveness.
A longing for revenge can hold people captive in their own minds, influencing thoughts and speech. The Tempest, by William Shakespeare, is a play that follows the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, after he is overpowered by his own brother and left to die with his daughter in a cramped sailboat. He seeks vengeance against many; however, he is not alone in his pursuit of revenge. His servant, Caliban, yearns for revenge toward Prospero for commanding him to be his slave. As Prospero seeks revenge on Antonio and Caliban, he does not realize Caliban’s own craving for revenge against him.
Throughout Othello the Moor of Venice we experience a rather uplifting story that seems to somehow come crashing down on not only the characters in the story but the reader also. Author William Shakespeare does a tremendous job at connecting us with the characters in the play. Othello, the protagonist in the play, falls slowly into the pit of destruction where jealousy takes control. He along with many other characters in the play are manipulated by Iago and slowly taken down from a peaceful, love filled, and triumphant place in their lives to one that is dark and revengeful. Many are led to their deaths because of the terrible deeds done by Iago, some of which include Othello himself who commits suicide only after murdering his new wife over nothing but the mindset of jealousy and hate. Shakespeare explores a vast amount of literary content here some of which delve into Jealousy. Jealousy alongside intense deceitful manipulation can introduce a person to another sinister side of themselves they never knew to existed. Iago 's ultimate goal in the play is not yet clearly laid out; there is much to
In Act I of the play, Prospero finally tells Miranda the woeful story of how she and he arrived on the island. From the beginning, Prospero plays his subjects and his sympathetic audience as pawns in his game of manipulation. He explains that twelve years ago he was the Duke of Milan, but being enthralled with his studies, he left most of the governmental responsibilities to his brother Antonio. Antonio, hungry to be "Absolute Milan" himself (1:2, p.6), proceeded to betray him with the help of King Alonso of Naples. When Miranda asks why they were not killed, Prospero sighs, "Dear, they durst not,/ so dear the love my people bore me" (1:2, p.7). From the beginning, Prospero portrays himself as a distinguished scholar and beloved leader unjustly victimized by his power-hungry brother. Who would suspect such a humble man of being psychologically manipulative? Prospero succeeds in deceiving many with this credible guise.
The Shakespearean play of Hamlet captures the audience with many suspenseful and devastating themes including betrayal. Some of the most loved characters get betrayed by who they thought loved them most. The things these characters do to the people they love are wrong, hurtful and disappointing. These examples lead to the destruction of many characters physically and emotionally. The characters in the play who committed the act of betrayal end up paying for what they have done in the form of death, either from nature, their selfishness, disloyalty and madness. The act of betrayal truly captures and displays the play of Hamlet as a sad tragedy.
Until Prospero arrived on the island, Caliban was his own king. The island was left to him by his mother, Sycorax. Nevertheless, Prospero took charge of the isle and eventually enslaved Caliban. "…Thou strok’st me…I loved thee…" is part of a quote that illustrates Caliban’s relationship with Prospero before he was his slave. Prospero comforted Caliban and gave him water and berries; he taught him how to speak, as well.
Caliban’s initial attempt to defy Prospero’s power via a verbal curse actually gives Prospero more authority as master in that the curse acknowledges the duke’s ultimate power. Caliban begins his speech with the vengeful request that all the evil "infections"(2.2.1) under the sun "fall"(2.2.2) upon the "tyrant"(2.2.160) Prospero. While Caliban wishes for Prospero to be so harmed by sickness, the slave does not have the power to make this happen. Instead, he must request that these evils "fall"(2.2.2) of their own accord upon Prospero. Caliban’s lack of authority because of his condition as a slave is immediately contrasted to that...
The study of Shakespeare’s The Tempest raises many questions as to its interpretation. Many believe that this play shows Shakespeare’s views on the colonization of the new world whereas others believe that this is a play about the ever elusive “Utopian Society”. I believe that this is a play about the European views of society and savagery at that time. I also believe that, if this is true, the play doesn’t portray a “conventional” view of native peoples. Shakespeare shows this by having Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan and Usurping ruler of the island, call Caliban,
Shakespeare's Use of Language, Imagery and Setting to Illuminate Prospero's Journey from Revenge to Reconciliation
There is one common aspect to all of Prospero's relationships in the play: he exploits every character, despite his attempts to hide this fact. For example, Prospero utilizes Caliban as a slave, making him cut wood:
Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can blind oneself from identifying the truth. Shakespeare heavily emphasizes this theme throughout the drama Othello, especially through the actions of characters. In the play the heinous antagonist, Iago, uses each character’s jealousy to deceive that person and manipulate the truth. His false promises and deceitfulness bring to the demise of many of the main characters in the play, including the protagonist, Othello. Othello could not have been deceived if it were not for his powerful jealousy. Therefore, Shakespeare is telling us that jealousy is an ugly trait that can hide the truth, which in turn causes many problems between characters in the play.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, among other themes, is a play very centered around rivalries, an important one being the one between Prospero and Caliban. As one would naturally expect, the triumphs and failures of the ongoing conflict yield different reactions for the two different characters. The conflict illustrates a dichotomous view of the way in which people respond to failure or defeat. Whereas Caliban responds to defeat instinctively with furious acts of retaliation, Prospero reasons that when those kinds of acts are examined under the scope of logic, they appear to be unlike that of a noble and therefore, should not be undertaken.
The psychological feeling of jealousy is defined as “a complex emotion marked by insecurity and the fear of losing something important. It is highlighted by feelings of abandonment and anger” (Alleydog.com). In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy acts as a catalyst for the tragic events that take place. Iago’s plan for Othello’s demise is motivated by jealousy, as Iago is enraged by not being chosen as Othello’s lieutenant, and due to his suspicion that his wife was having an affair with Othello. Roderigo also displays jealousy and envy towards Othello, which results in him providing money and assistance to Iago in exchange for helping Roderigo win over Desdemona. However, the greatest display
Finally Antonio is another character in this book that is a manipulator and who would do anything to get what he wants.
Jealousy, whatever it may be driven by, can produce many different actions in a person depending on their desires. Othello craftly examines a few examples of these with highly contrasting characters driven by vastly different things. The different manifestations of jealousy in said characters can be analysed through the characters of Roderigo, Othello, and Iago, while also proving how jealousy can sometimes be a front for more cynister feelings.
In “Othello” by William shakespeare jealousy seems to be a theme within the the play. Indeed the phrase “green eyed monster” comes from this very play. The definition of jealousy is something like “feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.” or “feeling or showing suspicion of someone 's unfaithfulness in a relationship.