Imperialism The Tempest

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"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main” - John Donne. The english poet and satirist of the sixteenth century was particularly known for his inventive metaphors that resonate with various cultural themes, imperialism being a constant. By definition imperialism implies the maintenance or creation of unequal relationships based on law, economy and territory between states working on the ideas of domination and subordination. Machiavelli and Shakespeare both had actively investigated the distinctively warped conflict of imperialism. Although they approach the topic differently, both agreed that political power and ruling of anything involves more that just a “divine right” and royal lineage. …show more content…

Machiavelli wrote, “ [...] (a prince) must be discreet enough to know how to avoid the reproach of those vices that would deprive him of his government…” (Witt 36) The philosopher means that an appropriate and ideal ruler must strive to stay away from the things that impede on his leadership and if he does not, then action will be taken place for the people and the governments sake. Prospero speaks of Antonio, “Being once perfected how to grant suits, to deny them, who t’advance and who to trash for over-topping…” (i.ii.79) Prospero realizes that it was right for Antonio to assume the role of the Duke of Milan as he knew how to run the position. Prospero’s fall from power can be attributed to his lack of investment in his people, and his almost obsessive investment in his magical books. Many, including Prospero himself, view Prospero as the undeserving victim of a stolen kingdom and Antonio is labeled as underhanded and conniving. “Conniving” clearly has a negative connotation, but Machiavelli would argue that Prospero’s denial of the duke-ship due to his obsession of magic and Antonio assuming the rule was the right course of action for the benefit of the

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