English literature essay:
To what extent can usurpation be seen as a coherent theme in The Tempest? (Up until Act 3)
In The Tempest by Shakespeare, usurpation can be considered a coherent theme throughout
the play. The theme of usurping occurs frequently throughout the play, challenging issues of
power and authority. I will be discussing the significance of the broader theme of usurpation in
the play by utilising textual references.
From the beginning of the play, the theme of usurpation is introduced. The play begins with
Prospero seizing the King, Alonso’s ship, by creating an illusion of a storm through the use of his
magic and his spirit servant, Ariel. All control was taken away from the passengers aboard the
ship, leaving them completely vulnerable. This loss of control and usurpation is expressed by
Gonzalo, who claimed, “ The wills above be done”. This implies that fate or a higher power is in
charge of the storm, emphasising their complete loss of control of the ship. Further issues of
power and authority are expressed in this scene, where the boatswain takes charge of the ship
during the storm, rather than the King himself. When confronted about his authority, he argues - “
What cares these roarers for the name of King?” This suggests that even though the King
appears to be the most powerful in society, there are forces far more powerful than him. This
shows how quickly power can be taken away as situations change. The boatswain taking
control over the King's authority on the ship, subtly alludes to the theme of usurpation, therefore
making it a prominent and coherent theme within the play.
The theme of usurpation progresses when Prospero explains to his daughter, Miranda how they
landed on the island. “ … did Antonio open the gates of Milan, and i’th’ dead of darkness The
ministers for th’ purpose hurried thence Me and thy crying self”. Prospero explains how his
brother, Antonio, with some help from Alonso, usurped his power over Milan and sent him and
Miranda out to sea on an unworthy boat. Antonio did this as he wanted the chances of them
survivng to be slim, but did not want to be fully responsible for their death. As a result, Prospero
and Miranda survived and landed on the island. However, before Antonio unseated Prospero,
Prospero had given his rule and duties of the kingdom to him so that he could continue learning
and studying. Antonio was given the role and responsibilities of being Duke, but was not given
the title, therefore slightly justifying his act of usurpation. Antonio helped Antonio by organising
an army to drive Prospero and Miranda out of Milan. This was done to secure more power for
himself, by earning tribute from Milan.
However, Prospero and Miranda were not the first or only inhibitors of the island. On the island
lived Sycorax, Caliban and Ariel. Because Caliban and his mother were the first inhabitants of
the island, Caliban believes that the island is his - “ This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak’st from me.” Prospero usurped the island from Caliban, just as Antonio had
done to him. Prospero then enslaved Caliban and in return, Caliban began to resent him.
However, Caliban cannot escape Prospero’s authority, as he uses his magic against him, which
Caliban admits “ is of such power”. This power is once again seen when Prospero manipulates
Ariel to follow his instructions - “ Dost thou forget from what a torment I did free thee?” Because
To what extent can usurpation be seen as a coherent theme in The Tempest? (Up until Act 3)
In The Tempest by Shakespeare, usurpation can be considered a coherent theme throughout
the play. The theme of usurping occurs frequently throughout the play, challenging issues of
power and authority. I will be discussing the significance of the broader theme of usurpation in
the play by utilising textual references.
From the beginning of the play, the theme of usurpation is introduced. The play begins with
Prospero seizing the King, Alonso’s ship, by creating an illusion of a storm through the use of his
magic and his spirit servant, Ariel. All control was taken away from the passengers aboard the
ship, leaving them completely vulnerable. This loss of control and usurpation is expressed by
Gonzalo, who claimed, “ The wills above be done”. This implies that fate or a higher power is in
charge of the storm, emphasising their complete loss of control of the ship. Further issues of
power and authority are expressed in this scene, where the boatswain takes charge of the ship
during the storm, rather than the King himself. When confronted about his authority, he argues - “
What cares these roarers for the name of King?” This suggests that even though the King
appears to be the most powerful in society, there are forces far more powerful than him. This
shows how quickly power can be taken away as situations change. The boatswain taking
control over the King's authority on the ship, subtly alludes to the theme of usurpation, therefore
making it a prominent and coherent theme within the play.
The theme of usurpation progresses when Prospero explains to his daughter, Miranda how they
landed on the island. “ … did Antonio open the gates of Milan, and i’th’ dead of darkness The
ministers for th’ purpose hurried thence Me and thy crying self”. Prospero explains how his
brother, Antonio, with some help from Alonso, usurped his power over Milan and sent him and
Miranda out to sea on an unworthy boat. Antonio did this as he wanted the chances of them
survivng to be slim, but did not want to be fully responsible for their death. As a result, Prospero
and Miranda survived and landed on the island. However, before Antonio unseated Prospero,
Prospero had given his rule and duties of the kingdom to him so that he could continue learning
and studying. Antonio was given the role and responsibilities of being Duke, but was not given
the title, therefore slightly justifying his act of usurpation. Antonio helped Antonio by organising
an army to drive Prospero and Miranda out of Milan. This was done to secure more power for
himself, by earning tribute from Milan.
However, Prospero and Miranda were not the first or only inhibitors of the island. On the island
lived Sycorax, Caliban and Ariel. Because Caliban and his mother were the first inhabitants of
the island, Caliban believes that the island is his - “ This island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak’st from me.” Prospero usurped the island from Caliban, just as Antonio had
done to him. Prospero then enslaved Caliban and in return, Caliban began to resent him.
However, Caliban cannot escape Prospero’s authority, as he uses his magic against him, which
Caliban admits “ is of such power”. This power is once again seen when Prospero manipulates
Ariel to follow his instructions - “ Dost thou forget from what a torment I did free thee?” Because
