Prospero as a Self-Centred Magician Who Demonstrates Some of the Worst Qualities "The Tempest" was one of Shakespeare's last plays and unlike the earlier ones didn't really fit into any certain genre, instead it had elements of all the themes within it: Also a lot of his plays had sad endings, take "Romeo and Juliet" a very romantic play that had a tragic ending but this changed when he was writing his last plays and so they had happier endings which contained an element of forgiveness and new beginnings. "Let your indulgence set me free." It is set in the Mediterranean and has connections with Italy like many of Shakespeare's plays such as "The Merchant Of Venice" and "Romeo and Juliet". The statement appears to be rather harsh as it seems certain aspects of Prospero's personality and character, as well as some of the qualities he possesses which become apparent later on in the play haven't been taken into consideration. "I do forgive, unnatural though thou art." He possess some very good qualities as is shown later on in the play, one of these qualities is his ability to forgive, as he manages to forgive most of the people who transgressed against him. However the statement isn't completely incorrect since at times Prospero is portrayed as very self-centred, calculating, threatening and cruel! "If thou murmur's, I will rend thee an oak and peg thee." His cruelty and threats are mainly directed at Caliban who in turn claims to have been "usurped" by Prospero. His role on the island, is that of ruler. He could almost be considered to be directing everything that occurs on the island, this is down... ... middle of paper ... ...t the character of Prospero. Admittedly Prospero can at first be to some degree described as a "self-centred magician" but this is not true throughout the play. As the evidence shows, he is only possessing of the worst traits when there is reason to be: being dumped on an island, the plots to overthrow him, Caliban's attempted rape and so on. It shows how bighearted he is that even after all that he is willing to forgive, even though many wouldn't be if in his shoes. Also at the time when his "enemy" Alonso was about to be assassinated by his own brother Prospero intervened, showing that he knows right form wrong. In the end Prospero is just a man with a passion for his books which led him to his misfortune but he manages to acquit himself by forgiving others and appealing to the audience in his final speech.
Prospero is the image of the ideal Renaissance magician; whose magic is obtained from his books and knowledge that, in contrast to Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, has domain over spirits, which represent the passions, Ariel and Caliban. B...
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:
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
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).
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.
A master servant theme can be seen throughout the whole play. Prospero has a this relationship with both Ariel and Caliban clearly, but it is the way he goes about the relationship. He prefers Ariel because he is more compliant than Caliban and has more uses. Prospero’s relationship with Caliban is more toxic. These show what kind of person Prospero really is. He is a manipulative person that is willing to whatever he needs to get what he wants. This is compared to how the colonists interacted with the Native Americans. They would trade and help each, and were able to tolerate them. Eventually the colonist learned what they needed and then turned their backs on
In literature as in life, characters are multi-dimensional beings. They possess a wide variety of character traits that make them who they are. In the Tempest written by William Shakespeare, Prospero traits resemble those of the Europeans that came during the exploration of the Americas. Thus, Prospero’s treatment of Caliban is similar to the way Europeans treated the Native Americans.
In William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Prospero lives with his daughter Miranda on a deserted island. On the surface, he appears to be a benevolent leader doing his best to protect and care for the inhabitants of the island, especially for Miranda. On closer inspection, however, Prospero plays God, controlling and creating each individual to fit the mold he desires. He takes advantage of his authority over the people and situations he encounters while wearing a facade of integrity and compassion to disguise his wily intentions and to retain love and respect.
Prospero is a god. He mirrors the "Bible's personification of a God who commands the elements and the angels, who teases his offspring mercilessly, and who fabricated nature and people out of words"(2 Marx). Both gods rely heavily upon the use of words to maintain their kingdom. Caliban sees Prospero's power hailing from the magic books. The reader learns this as Caliban is speaking to Stephano about usurping Prospero's place on the island:
One of the most complex changes in the play takes place within Prospero himself. In considering his motives for "wrecking" the ship and bringing the characters to the island, we can't escape the feeling that Prospero holds a great deal of resentment about his treatment back in Milan and is never very far from wanting to exact a harsh revenge; after all, he has it in his power to significantly injure the parties that treated him so badly. We learn more of Prospero's character when he has a sudden insight in the start of the final act, when he decides that revenge is not the most appropriate response.
Through the use of his Art, Prospero is able to bring Ariel, whom he releases from the imprisonment of Sycorax, under his control. By transcending into the realm of the supernatural, there is an inversion of the Natural Order, as Prospero is but a mere mortal while Ariel is beyond humanity at the spiritual end of the natural hierarchy. However, the authority that Prospero possesses over Ariel is liable to abuse. There would be a very human temptation for him to use Ariel to exact his revenge on the Court Party members, who are effectively at his mercy, because of an inherent susceptibility to feelings of resentment, anger and revenge due to the injustice of 12 years past. This is Prospero's test as a ruler, not only in his treatment of the Court Party but also in his treatment of Ariel. He must exhibit benevolence and temperance before he can pass this test. Initially, there are lapses in Prospero's control over his anger when, as Ariel asks for his freedom, Prospero replies wit...
There are things that give him power, but he does not hold it himself. If Prospero could control love and other emotions, everything would be different. His subjects would most likely adore him and be happy to be under his control. Why would he make his subjects dislike him? He does not have a choice. Prospero’s power is limited and that shows that he has weaknesses. Some of his subjects may believe he is a god, but he’s only using his resources. He is deceiving his subjects. But Prospero’s realm of power is not as large as his subjects, including some of the readers, may
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
...e island” (3.2.46-48 Pg. 101). Which this means he hates Prospero for all the things he has ever done to Caliban and wants revenge. Which the revenge that Caliban wants is Prospero dead. In a way these two characters are a lot alike in ways that is indescribable. With both characters wanting power of the throne and both to control the people around them that they both want revenge on each other.
Prospero treats his two servants in very different ways as their behavior and attitudes towards him are contrasting. From this, the question arises why he treats his equally hard-working servants in different ways and if he is wise in his actions.