The Tempest: Allegorical to the Bible

The Tempest: Allegorical to the Bible

The Tempest is not a pure fantasy tale, but a purposeful allegory. The characters in the play are all representative of characters found in the bible. The first, and perhaps most persuasive, arguement would be Prospero symbolizing God. Prospero is seen to be a representative of God for several reasons.

First, he is obviously in control of the actions and has an omnipotent quality. This has been demonstrated by several scenes throughout the play. Consider the power that Prospero possesses, as shown in the Epilogue at the closing of the play:

I have bedimmed The mooontide sun, called forth the mutinous winds, And 'twixt the green sea and the azured vault Set roaring war. . . . The strong-based promontory Have I made shake, and by the spurs plucked up The pine and cedar. Graves, at my command, Have waked their sleepers, oped and let them forth By my so potent art (V. i. 41-4, 46-50).

These are obviously superhuman works. In fact, Prospero claims quite definitely that he possesses the power of mighty Zeus himself, for not only does he say that he can make lightning, but he declares that he has actually used the god's own thunderbolt (Still 6): To the dread rattling thunder Have I given fire, and rifted Jove's stout oak

With his own bolt.

Having already established that Prospero is the possessor of superhuman power, why would Shakespeare include this information except solely for alligorical purposes (Still 7)? This information serves no purpose except to establish Prospero as a god.

Prospero is also seen in the play performing several roles that Christianity traditionally assign to God: that of the Omnipotent Judge and the Savior of Man.

Prospero is revealed to be the Omnipotent Judge through a speech given by Ariel (Still 7):

. . . . I and my fellows Are ministers of Fate. . . . The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have Incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures Against your peace. . . and do pronounce by me Lingering perdition, worse than any death Can be at one, shall step by step attend You and your ways; whose wraths to guard you from,

Which here, in the most desolate isle, else falls Upon your heads, is nothing, but heart's sorrow, And a clear life ensuing.

Shakespeare tells us, through Ariel, that Prospero can pass sentance of lingering perdition, but whose mercy can be ga...

... middle of paper ...

...he exile from the garden of Eden story in the Bible. Both involve two characters who are tempted with great power and knowlege by an evil being--Satan. Both are successfully tempted by the evil foce; both eventually suffer for their choices.

"The Tempest", by William Shakespeare, is a very interesting and entertaining story when viewed by its face value. However, when one analyzes the characters, settings, and situations, one realizes the deeper meaning intended by Shakespeare in composing the drama. Through his creation of the island microcosm, which is ruled by Prospero and undermined by Caliban, the Bard creates a masterful work which glorifies a merciful God, who will forgive sins through repentance. In "The Tempest", Shakespeare creates a story that is valuable for more than just entertainment purposes--he creates a work of art.

Works Cited

Still, Colin. Shakespeare's Mystery Play: A Study of "The Tempest". Cecil Palmer, 1921.

Knight, Wilson G. The Crown of Life: Essays in Interpretation of Shakespeare's Final Plays. Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1947.

Leech, Clifford. Shakespeare's Tragedies and Other Studies in Seventeenth Century Drama. Chatto and Windus, 1950.