Shakespeare's Theme of Power in Act 1- The Tempest

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Shakespeare's Theme of Power in Act 1- The Tempest

There have been suspicions of Shakespeare's last play written in 1612, named: "Cardenio"- a lost play. However the play we know today as the last written in 1611 is "The Tempest".

Shakespeare's main focus was the Theme of Power in "The Tempest". Throughout the play the audience encounters power possessed by different characters enabling them to force another character in particular, against their own will. An example of this was the usurpation of Prospero's Dukedom, forced by the King Alonso and his accomplice Antonio. Although Prospero demonstrated his wizardry as an element of power to cause the shipwreck in the opening scene, it had evoked the audience's anticipated responses especially the colonisation of the island.

Power is a symbol of competence substantially used to combat against usurpation. It is also expressed through language to convey the feelings of a character. Boatswain defied his noble; challenging his authority and against the inevitable power of nature: "Blow till thou burst thy wind." His use of power was selfish as well to disrespect the King; a lack of patriotism. Atmospheric power manifests the scenery of the shipwreck as a dramatic