Essay 1
Within The Tempest, power acts as a central theme which drives the events of the play forward.
This is most clearly seen through Prospero’s transformation from a state of insignificant power,
to one of immense power and finally ending with Prospero depicted as an ‘enlightened sage’.
The transformation is mainly facilitated through the shifting power dynamics between Prospero
and the characters of Caliban, Ariel, Miranda, Antonio and Alonso as he uses his magic to gain
power over the other characters throughout the play.
In the second scene of the play, we learn how Prospero came to be on the island, that his own
brother overthrew him as Duke of Milan and set him out to see. Prospero is described as being
pre-occupied with his dark magic, being described as “neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
to closeness and the bettering of my mind”, naïve enough to leave all the kingly duties to his
brother, who takes advantage of him and usurps him of the throne. Therefore, Prospero initially
is portrayed as a disenfranchised magician, whose obsession with magic ultimately has left him
powerless.
Once on the island, Prospero immediately begins working on regaining his position as Duke.
Caliban, an original inhabitant of the island, is taught mannerisms and knowledge by Prospero.
He is treated as a slave, forced to do Prospero’s bidding. Prospero describes Caliban as a “born
devil” and adds that he will “rack thee with old cramps, fill all thy bones with aches, make thee
roar", demonstrating his complete power over Caliban, to whom he shows no mercy or
forgiveness despite him not being fully human or raised with morality. It is through Prospero’s
total control over Caliban that we see him start to reach his ‘overlord’ status over the characters.
Through Prospero’s efforts throughout the play, he eventually reaches a point where he
maintains complete control over all the characters stating, “At this hour lies at my mercy all mine
enemies.“ Through making sure that Ariel did not injure anyone on the ship, “But are they, Ariel,
safe?” He was able to effectively convince Alonso that his son, Ferdinand had died - leaving him
in the vulnerable state that Prospero wanted and demonstrating the shift in power.
Furthermore, he manufactures Ferdinand and Miranda’s relationship, casting spells over
Miranda, “Here cease more questions. Thou art inclined to sleep” in order to obtain power over
Ferdinand’s father, Alonso. Prospero’s deception of Miranda and Ferdinand shows the shifting
Within The Tempest, power acts as a central theme which drives the events of the play forward.
This is most clearly seen through Prospero’s transformation from a state of insignificant power,
to one of immense power and finally ending with Prospero depicted as an ‘enlightened sage’.
The transformation is mainly facilitated through the shifting power dynamics between Prospero
and the characters of Caliban, Ariel, Miranda, Antonio and Alonso as he uses his magic to gain
power over the other characters throughout the play.
In the second scene of the play, we learn how Prospero came to be on the island, that his own
brother overthrew him as Duke of Milan and set him out to see. Prospero is described as being
pre-occupied with his dark magic, being described as “neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
to closeness and the bettering of my mind”, naïve enough to leave all the kingly duties to his
brother, who takes advantage of him and usurps him of the throne. Therefore, Prospero initially
is portrayed as a disenfranchised magician, whose obsession with magic ultimately has left him
powerless.
Once on the island, Prospero immediately begins working on regaining his position as Duke.
Caliban, an original inhabitant of the island, is taught mannerisms and knowledge by Prospero.
He is treated as a slave, forced to do Prospero’s bidding. Prospero describes Caliban as a “born
devil” and adds that he will “rack thee with old cramps, fill all thy bones with aches, make thee
roar", demonstrating his complete power over Caliban, to whom he shows no mercy or
forgiveness despite him not being fully human or raised with morality. It is through Prospero’s
total control over Caliban that we see him start to reach his ‘overlord’ status over the characters.
Through Prospero’s efforts throughout the play, he eventually reaches a point where he
maintains complete control over all the characters stating, “At this hour lies at my mercy all mine
enemies.“ Through making sure that Ariel did not injure anyone on the ship, “But are they, Ariel,
safe?” He was able to effectively convince Alonso that his son, Ferdinand had died - leaving him
in the vulnerable state that Prospero wanted and demonstrating the shift in power.
Furthermore, he manufactures Ferdinand and Miranda’s relationship, casting spells over
Miranda, “Here cease more questions. Thou art inclined to sleep” in order to obtain power over
Ferdinand’s father, Alonso. Prospero’s deception of Miranda and Ferdinand shows the shifting
