'An exploration of the ways in which Shakespeare presents the theme of ambition, linked to at least three scenes in the Tempest.

      However it could also be argued that Prospero is placing Miranda’s future above his own, his duty as a father in that sense takes priority. He allows another man to court her. Ferdinand is the heir to the throne of Naples; he is of a suitable rank for Miranda, which was important to the social hierarchy at the time. So, once they return to Italy her title, through marriage, will be as great, if not greater than Prospero’s. Also, in a dynastic sense, it brings Milan and Naples together. Prospero’s ambition for Italy is therefore realised through Miranda.

    Still, Prospero’s desire in reality is to return to his duty as Duke of Milan. He would delight in reading his books but he cannot, because he has to fulfil the role that he was born to; that is, reclaiming his birthright. Because of that he puts his duty above personal happiness. “A most auspicious star, whose influence if I now court not, but omit, my fortunes will ever after droop…” He is saying that if he doesn’t act soon he could never regain his Dukedom and the “auspicious star”, or the Gods, would, effectively, punish him for that. It was fate that brought his enemies to his shore and he must succumb to it and reclaim his birthright.  

      To begin with Prospero treats Caliban fairly, he taught him about his own culture and how to speak a new language. Yet when Caliban tried to rape Miranda, “Thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child…” Prospero curses him by giving him aches and pains, “side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up.” As he knows that he can no longer trust him, and giving him duties to carry out through which the pain would only get worse if he does not fulfil them.

Nevertheless from Caliban’s viewpoint he simply wished to populate his beloved island, “…thou didst prevent me, I had peopled else this isle with Calibans.” As Miranda was the only woman – or mate – he saw her as his chance and therefore he does not regret it. Therefore Caliban’s ambition is to be free of Prospero’s command, and rightfully take his island back, “This islands mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou tak’st from me…” Caliban is in service to Prospero begrudgingly and he does make his feelings shown, yet he realises that there is a great risk from arguing with Prospero as he has more power than Caliban could ever own, “I must obey: his Art is of such pow’r...”

Caliban is so badly affected by Prospero’s treatment of him that he is easily persuaded to plot against him alongside Trinculo and Stephano, “…I’ll yield him thee asleep, where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.” Caliban understandably wants the island back, which is a sensible ambition. Yet by wanting to kill Prospero he appears unrealistic – even if it were reasonable, as he should not desire to overthrow a person who is more powerful than his self.  

    It is obvious to the reader that Caliban is the only character who sees the island for its natural beauty; he speaks in appreciative poetry and uses repetitive imagery of the surrounding habitat showing that he understands its true splendour, “the isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not…and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open, and show riches ready to drop upon me, that when I waked I cried to dream again.” Caliban’s ambitions are simple ones, no hidden agendas or deceiving thoughts, and contrast greatly to the likes of Trinculo and Stephano for instance.  

Trinculo and Stephano immediately think of profiting out of Caliban when they first meet him, “…he smells like a fish…were I in England, not a holiday fool there would give a piece of silver.” “If I can recover him and keep him tame, he’s a present for any Emperor.” This shows that they do not think of Caliban as a human being, simply a means to make a profit. They wish to exhibit this strange new creature or sell him off – both are corrupt thoughts.

They succeed in seducing Caliban, by giving him his first taste of ‘celestial liquor’, “If he have never drunk wine afore…” to mislead and corrupt him. And so, under the influence, Caliban sees these new characters as quite magical, and naively submits to their leadership. “And I will kiss thy foot. I prithee, be my God.” Unfortunately Trinculo and Stephano make a mockery of Caliban, “A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder out of a poor drunkard.’ They refer to him as “monster” or “moon-calf” never a human or man. Trinculo and Stephanos’ambitions are low-lying and deceptive, which is a metaphor of these characters true nature.      

It is revealed when they would prefer fine clothes to any real desire to try to take the island  - that is, their ambition is simply equated to fleshy pleasures - which is why Caliban aptly remarks, “What a thrice double ass was I to take this drunkard for a God, and worship this dull fool!” They are base characters, baser even than Caliban, which is shown through their use of prose rather than verse, “What’s the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon’s with savages and men of Ind?” In contrast to Calibans’, “No more dams I’ll make for fish…nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish.”  

      Antonio is the ultimate villain of the play as his ambition is entirely selfish. He usurped his brother, Prospero by depriving him of his Dukedom. Prospero had entrusted Antonio with performing some of his duties as Duke, yet Antonio took advantage over this power. “He being thus lorded…to credit his own lie, he did believe he was indeed the Duke…” Antonio began to feed off of the power given to him by Prospero and did not want it to be taken away again. He believed that he was a better Duke than Prospero and wanted to be “absolute Milan.” and so he arranged for the removal of Prospero and his daughter Miranda. Antonio couldn’t kill Prospero and Miranda personally as the people of Milan would rise against him, as Prospero was very well liked, “so dear the love my people bore me,” (Prospero.)  Antonio needed them for support, and so, with the advice from Gonzalo, Antonio created a situation in which they were very likely to die. This clearly shows how ambitious Antonio is, he is prepared to murder his own brother. This “unnatural” power surge compromises all his thoughts.

Antonio is extremely corrupt in his thoughts and feelings. For instance, when he and Sebastian are alone, they speak of the possibility of Ferdinand’s death and what importance it brings. Antonio engages Sebastian in the prospect that he could be the next King of Naples, “Worthy Sebastian? O what might? No more…” It is in fact a rhetorical question but followed by half an answer with “no more,” as if it was a casual notion with no hidden meaning, he is being unbelievably subtle and all the time hooking Sebastian into his trap. “My strong imagination sees a crown dropping upon thy head…” The use of the word ‘dropping’ is very effective – as if the crown has nothing else to do but fall, it is inevitable.

“Noble Sebastian, thou let’st thy fortune sleep – die rather…” Antonio refers to Sebastian as ‘noble’, the use of this adjective is calculated irony, as it is a most ignoble deed if in fact they do kill Alonso but the conceit is that Antonio is saying that if they succeed, he will praise and follow Sebastian. Using the idea of sleep is interesting; as death is simply an extension of sleep and by extending the metaphor further, “as well as he that sleeps…what a sleep were this for your advancement!” Antonio is emphasising that Alonso and Gonzalo are sleeping before them – and Sebastian’s ambition is sleeping also.

He speaks of Ferdinand, “’Tis as impossible that he is undrowned…Will you grant with me that Ferdinand is drowned?”  He lures Sebastian into his trap by reinforcing the fact that the only heir to the throne may have drowned, and so who else is there to claim it but him?

    Perhaps the reason for all the persuasion is perhaps in helping Sebastian become King, Antonio could receive a reward?

What the audience would appreciate by now is that Antonio has no scruples, no moral conscience in his ambition, they are undoubtedly fraudulent and ambition is the most important thing in his life.

    However, Shakespeare shows how ambition itself cannot keep a man alive by Prospero producing a feast and then taking it away, “’ enter several strange shapes, bringing in a banquet... “since they have left their viands behind, for we have stomachs”…and with a quaint device the banquet vanishes.’”  Ambition cannot feed a man, which is one of the reasons Caliban is nobler than some of the other characters on the island. He is incapable of deceit in the sense that he says what he feels and wants, whereas Antonio is far more devious.

    Antonio seems to be ambitious for the sake of ambition. As Gonzalo says: ‘you would lift the moon out of her sphere if she would continue in it for five weeks without changing,” emphasising the fact that he would do something to destroy it, simply for the sake of doing so.  

In conclusion, the audience leave the play with the idea that order had been restored in the way that is just. It also shows that people like Antonio for instance; need to be controlled with laws – laws made by a character like Prospero. It also hints on the idea that fate and the Gods will succeed in making sure that laws are followed through, for example reclaiming birth rights which is essential to bring the world under order.