Literature essay on The Tempest :
Prospero’s role as an advocate for the earning and giving of power
In The Tempest by Shakespeare, Prospero advocates for the earning and giving of power. He
recognizes the role of power in society, as well as the dangers that are inextricably linked to
it, and therefore only allows those deserving of it to acquire it. This is evident through the
power within his reconciliation with Alonso, granting Ariel power through freedom, and
allowing Caliban power through humanization.
Prospero’s Art provides a platform for his previous enemies to rebuild bonds with him
through reconciliation, leading to the acquisition of political power. Ariel, the harpy,
descends on the “three men of sin” who did “supplant good Prospero” in an anti-masque
conjured by Prospero’s Art. This provides these “perfidious” men with the opportunity to
seek for forgiveness and reconcile with Prospero, should they choose to. Alonso moves into a
mental state of dominating grief and guilt upon being presented with his crimes against
Prospero. This fear of “lingering perdition” forges a path to penitence for him, and he
reconciles with Prospero. This reconciliation is manifested in the “contract of true love to be
celebrated” between Miranda and Ferdinand, and the acquisition of greater political power
for both Milan and Naples. This suggests how instrumental Prospero is, through his Art, in
providing an opportunity for reconciliation with Alonso to facilitate power between their two
nations.
Furthermore, Prospero embodies an advocacy for the acquisition of deserved power through
the freeing of Ariel. He initially threatens to imprison Ariel back into the “cloven pine” where
the “foul witch Sycorax” had entrapped him. In this manner he seeks to subdue Ariel, the
embodiment of the human imagination. As Prospero develops from a “tyrant” to a ruler
guided by virtuous authority, he recognizes the importance of Ariel’s role of assistant and
seeks to free him as he is deserving of it. Ariel provides invaluable advice of how Prospero’s
“affections would become tender: if he saw the men that were at his mercy, and teaches
Prospero what being “human” encompasses. Prospero realizes the wisdom of Ariel and
asserts that he “shalt have freedom”. This separates Prospero from Sycorax, as he
understands the need to free, rather than control, the human imagination. The empowerment
of Ariel through freedom is granted by Prospero, exemplifying his position of giving power
to those deserving of it.
Prospero’s role as an advocate for the earning and giving of power
In The Tempest by Shakespeare, Prospero advocates for the earning and giving of power. He
recognizes the role of power in society, as well as the dangers that are inextricably linked to
it, and therefore only allows those deserving of it to acquire it. This is evident through the
power within his reconciliation with Alonso, granting Ariel power through freedom, and
allowing Caliban power through humanization.
Prospero’s Art provides a platform for his previous enemies to rebuild bonds with him
through reconciliation, leading to the acquisition of political power. Ariel, the harpy,
descends on the “three men of sin” who did “supplant good Prospero” in an anti-masque
conjured by Prospero’s Art. This provides these “perfidious” men with the opportunity to
seek for forgiveness and reconcile with Prospero, should they choose to. Alonso moves into a
mental state of dominating grief and guilt upon being presented with his crimes against
Prospero. This fear of “lingering perdition” forges a path to penitence for him, and he
reconciles with Prospero. This reconciliation is manifested in the “contract of true love to be
celebrated” between Miranda and Ferdinand, and the acquisition of greater political power
for both Milan and Naples. This suggests how instrumental Prospero is, through his Art, in
providing an opportunity for reconciliation with Alonso to facilitate power between their two
nations.
Furthermore, Prospero embodies an advocacy for the acquisition of deserved power through
the freeing of Ariel. He initially threatens to imprison Ariel back into the “cloven pine” where
the “foul witch Sycorax” had entrapped him. In this manner he seeks to subdue Ariel, the
embodiment of the human imagination. As Prospero develops from a “tyrant” to a ruler
guided by virtuous authority, he recognizes the importance of Ariel’s role of assistant and
seeks to free him as he is deserving of it. Ariel provides invaluable advice of how Prospero’s
“affections would become tender: if he saw the men that were at his mercy, and teaches
Prospero what being “human” encompasses. Prospero realizes the wisdom of Ariel and
asserts that he “shalt have freedom”. This separates Prospero from Sycorax, as he
understands the need to free, rather than control, the human imagination. The empowerment
of Ariel through freedom is granted by Prospero, exemplifying his position of giving power
to those deserving of it.
