William Shakespeare’s The Tempest draws parallels between magic and power. Prospero uses his magic to induce suffering. He also uses magic to exert his will upon the actions of others. Upon giving up his magic, however, Prospero achieves redemption. Thus, Shakespeare uses Prospero’s magic to reveal the corruptive influence of power.
Prospero’s use of magic to cause anguish reflects the abuse that often coincides with power. He exhibits such abuse when he uses his magical prowess to subjugate Caliban. Upon hearing the magician’s threats, Caliban says, “No, pray thee. / I must obey: his art is of such power…” (1.2.372-373). Caliban’s pleading tone when he says “pray thee” demonstrates dramatic divergence from his previous line, in which he curses
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He overpowers free will through charms to benefit his own purposes. The magician tells Miranda, “Thou art inclined to sleep… I know thou canst not choose” (1.2.185-186). The certainty of his diction when he says “art inclined” reveals that he is controlling Miranda’s actions. He further emphasizes her lack of free will when he says she “canst not choose”. Prospero’s forceful exertion of his desires reveals his desensitization to using power to achieve his goals. Prospero also commands magical spirits, without taking their own needs into consideration. He tells Ariel, “Go take this shape / And hither come in't: go, hence with diligence” (1.2.303-304). His repeated use of imperative verbs relays his expectation of Ariel’s absolute obedience. Thus, Prospero’s self-centered attitude as seen through his control over spirits is rooted in his magical abilities. Moreover, Prospero uses illusions to control others, thereby furthering his own plans. Upon creating the tempest, he tells Miranda, “I have… so safely ordered that there is no soul… Betid to any creature” (1.1.26-29). He believes that his assurances of the shipwreck’s safety serve as justification for the creation of the tempest, which forced all the people on the ship onto the island. Prospero does not show any consideration towards the people on the boat, even those whom he did not want to enact his revenge upon. Thus, Prospero …show more content…
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
Shakespeare's play, The Tempest tells the story of a father, Prospero, who must let go of his daughter; who brings his enemies under his power only to release them; and who in turn finally relinquishes his sway over his world - including his power over nature itself. The Tempest contains elements ripe for tragedy: Prospero is a controlling figure bent on taking revenge for the wrongs done to him, and in his fury he has the potential to destroy not only his enemies, but his own humanity and his daughter's future.
Corfield, Cosmo. "Why Does Prospero Abjure His 'Rough Magic,'" Shakespeare Quarterly. 36 (1985): 31-4 8.
Through The Tempest play, William Shakespeare weaves together a tale that is characterized by anti-colonialist sentiments. Prospero - the deposed Milan Duke - adopts a colonialist mentality by treating his colleagues as slaves who have no rights. Characters who suffer mistreatment under Prospero include: Ariel - the spirit creature; Ferdinand - the Naples Prince; and Caliban - Sycorax’s son. Prospero possesses much magical power which he uses to oppress his compatriots. Consequently, Prospero is portrayed as a colonial tyrant who abuses his immense power. Anti-colonialism feelings are especially evident through the actions, utterances and disposition and of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand and Ariel. To illustrate, Caliban berates Prospero for the former’s forced labor. Likewise, Ariel protests Prospero’s reluctance to release the former as earlier agreed. Miranda also expresses her dissatisfaction with Prospero’s unfair imprisonment of Ferdinand. Similarly, Ferdinand appears to challenge Prospero’s authority by briefly stopping dragging timber so as to flirt and chat with Miranda. The foregoing four characters exhibit conduct that highlights their displeasure with Prospero’s colonial-style authority over them. From the preceding expose, it can thus be concluded that Shakespeare’s The Tempest play is about anti-colonialism based on its depiction of Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand and Ariel’s opposition to Prospero’s oppressive authority.
Prospero enslaved the spirit Ariel or other-worldly figure of sorts. And in-turn Ariel causes a violent storm that causes the shipwreck in the opening scene, due to Prospero's request, thus bringing those back that caused Prospero to lose his dukedom. After which Ariel asked for his freedom having done his deed for Prospero, but Prospero denied his request, saying to Ariel time must be served first. Prospero continues with something of a guilt-instilling speech, reminding Ariel that he had freed him and Ariel becomes submissive once again saying, “all hail, great master, grave sir, hail! I come to answer thy best pleasure; beat to fly, to Swim, to dive into the fire, to ride, on the curled of clouds”(1,2,189-190). This shows Ariel’s language is that of someone being oppressed imprisoned or enslaved and such is the relationship that of a slave and a master. Prospero does not only oppress Ariel but also enslaves Caliban the once ruler of the island simply because Prospero believed his new ideas were much better meaning slavery over freedom, which he did impose on Caliban by saying “Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Whom now I keep in my service.” (Act. I, Sc. II, Ln. 285-286). Furthermore Prospero makes it even clearer what he thinks of Caliban the native that had helped Prospero to survive on the Island has
“I have used thee, filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee in mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child.” This tells us that Caliban has tried to rape Miranda at some point, and that Prospero treated Caliban much better before the attempted rape occurred.
Having been usurped and wrecked on an Island Prospero and his young daughter Miranda have to settle. It is here in Prospero's past that it first clear to see where any confusion about his character may appear. As a learned and powerful man Prospero is able to take direct control of the island, he frees a trapped and tortured spirit (Ariel) and befriends the inhabitants (Caliban). Prospero 'helps' Caliban, he tries to educate him and teaches him to communicate, in exchange Caliban helps Prospero to survive on the Island. But in taking power of the Island Prospero is committing the same act that happened to him as Duke of Milan, now Prospero himself has become the usurper. In this act of goodness Prospero has unknowingly shown his evil side.
Symbolism plays a large role in the theme of the Tempest. Throughout the play, there is reference to Prospero's books. Prospero's books are what give him his magic. Although the Tempest evidently shows that when one is exposed to uncontrolled power, they will inevitably abuse it. Prospero begins to use his power to seek revenge. Through the duration of the play, the audience observes Prospero's internal debate, as to how to use his magic. He wants to kill Antonio as payback for banishing him to the island. Prospero's desire to kill Antonio comes from his id. Yet by the end of the play, Prospero realizes that he has been consumed by his need for revenge and consequently decides to throw away his books. The act of throwing away the books symbolizes Prospero's freedom from the constraints of revenge and greed. He lets go of his overwhelming
Prospero appears to be a ruthless tyrant that strikes fear into Caliban to make him work but further on in the text we learn that this is not the case. Caliban's foul-mouthed insults,
In discussing Derrida's view of Western literature, Geoffrey Hartman writes that "Western tradition has been marked . . . by a metaphysics of light, by the violence of light itself, from Apollonian cults to Cartesian philosophies. In the light of this emphatic light everything else appears obscure; especially the Hebraic development of aniconic writing and self-effacing commentary of textuality" (xix). This point is well illustrated by the nature of Prospero's power in The Tempest for his control of natural and supernatural forces is achieved through book-learning the bringing to life of Logos. That which Prospero does not control completely is the vilified character of Caliban. The denigrated and unwilling servant seems to represent Prospero's shadow, and in light of the above statement, perhaps Caliban represents the shadow of our light-infused Greco-Roman style of domination of the material world. The text tells us that when Prospero first arrives on the island Caliban willingly reveals its secrets to him. Only when Caliban threatens the chastity of Prospero's daughter, Miranda, does the relationship turn into one of master and slave. Prospero thus draws the line between the shadow realm and purity. His action suggests that sexuality, too, must be kept in a role of servitude if one is to retain control of one's kingdom. In affirming this schism, Prospero simply enforces the dualistic nature of the Western tradition. In heaping scorn upon Caliban, Prospero embodies the West's extreme dualistic nature vis-a-vis its perceived schisms existent between light and dark, mortal and immortal, good and evil.
Throughout the whole play there is evidence of power, someone in possession of it and another subordinate to the person with the power. Mostly this happens in the scenes with prospero, as he is almost an omniscient and omnipotent character, with god-like qualities. He has the means to change many things not possible for humans, because of his magic and his power over magical creatures such as Ariel. Caliban also does the will of Prospero;
The play, The Tempest, by William Shakespeare is a very cleverly thought out piece of work. Shakespeare very deliberately inter-relates several different forms of power during the course of the play. There is political power, shown through the plethora of political characters and their schemes, while at the same time parodied by the comic characters. The power of magic and love, and its ability to reunite and absolve also plays a major role in the play. Throughout the play, Prospero, the main character, takes great advantage of his power and authority, both properly and improperly.
But why the tendency toward revenge in the first place? What was it about the personality and mental disposition of Prospero that caused him to lust for revenge against his brother, Antonio? And Caliban. Why couldn't Prospero overlook his social naïveté when it came to handling a woman? (1.2.350) In this portion of the website, I will examine those questions and attempt to provide an answer and an insight into the psychology of Prospero.
During England’s Elizabethan period, people were captivated by magic and the supernatural. During this period there was little distinction between science and magic. Educated people practiced medicine, astrology, alchemy, sorcery, and tried to control the elements. Some scholars conclude that controlling the elements of nature is an underlying basis for early science and some religions (Hopfe). One of the most famous Elizabethan scientists, and one who Queen Elizabeth herself kept on staff was Dr. John Dee (Woolley). John Dee was also known as a magus, a title given to someone who was considered a master magician or adept in astrology, alchemy, or sorcery (Melton). Evidence for this cultural preoccupation with magic during the Elizabethan period can be found in many of William Shakespeare’s plays, including his final work, The Tempest, which was written between 1610 and 1611. It is widely believed that Shakespeare may well have had Dr. John Dee in mind when creating the character of Prospero (Woolley). Prospero, the play’s protagonist, is a master magician. At its core, The Tempest entertains an underlying theme of justice and forgiveness for Prospero’s brother usurping and exiling him and his daughter to a desolate foreign isle, but more prominent is Prospero and Ariel’s use of magic and manipulation of the elements. Magic plays such a key role in the play, that it could be defined as an additional character. In fact, if it weren’t for the plays heavy use of magic, The Tempest Would be boring and uneventful, and we would be left with only a man stranded on an island with his daughter and a helpful and deformed native inhabitant named Caliban.
The illusions of justice and freedom, and what they truly are, has been a reoccurring theme throughout the works. The definitions of justice and freedom have become so construed throughout the times. In William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero tries to enthrall his audience in his narrative of social justice. The idea of justice the play portrays represents one individual who controls the fate of all others. Their freedom is controlled by the interference of those around them. Although he spends most of the play righting the wrongs done to him, he is misdirecting so to hide his true motive. Prospero misconstrues the definitions of justice and freedom by enslaving Ariel and Caliban, using magic for his own good, and creating a false happy
The Tempest was written in 1611 as Shakespeare’s last romantic comedy. This play is focused mainly on the theme of power. Shakespeare portrays an aging magician who has been living in exile with his young daughter on a remote island for the past 12 years. Shakespeare presents forms of power in different ways, but mainly through the characters of Prospero. In The Tempest Shakespeare shows 3 different types of power, which are through love, power over his slave Caliban, and power of magic.