With these characters I believe Shakespeare is aiming to prove that money and birth alone cannot make a man who is essentially evil, respectable. The pair are hungry for power unlike Caliban who also plots to murder yet he believes riches and wealth are worthless. By comparing them to him we realise that Caliban who is named ‘uncivilised’ has far more understandable reason to act the way he does, by pure instinct. Antonio and Sebastian’s desire for power is actually plain greed and this is one of the main themes of the play. Also, their lack of repent for their sins is consistent throughout the play as is their lack of gratitude for Prospero’s forgiveness.
Like all the characters in the play they present themselves to the audience. Their terrible depiction in the first scene gives credence to the traitorous depiction Prospero gives the audience in the next scene. Sebastian’s first lines’
‘A pox o’your throat, you bawling, blasphemous,
incharitable dog.’
are quite appalling to the audience and a great indicator of his character. As if to prove that the near death experience was a truthful display of character Shakespeare shows them mocking the others at the beginning of the second act when they are all safe. They use wordplay and demonstrate mischievous skills with language which proves that they must be clever though very unkind. They mutter insults to one another without respect. Sebastian says to Antonio,
‘He receives comfort like cold porridge.’
and Antonio replies,
‘the visitor will not give him o’er so.’
Here they are mocking Gonzalo’s enthusiasm and optimistic outlook and this cannot indicate a pleasant nature. Antonio and Sebastian do not seem to be able to hide their greed even though they are quite clever. When Alonso is doubting the safety of eating the mysterious banquet Sebastian states his greedy personality,
‘No matter since
They have left they viands behind, for we have
stomachs.’
Although Sebastian is obviously evil I believe Shakespeare wishes us to believe that his evil has been triggered by another and would not have come out naturally. He even says, ‘I am standing water’ meaning that unless pushed he will remain still yet he may be swept easily along by the current which is Antonio. In reply Antonio says he will, ‘teach him to flow’ and therefore we know that he is the driving force of this plot.
Despite all their bad qualities Antonio and Sebastian do have one plus point to their characters, they have lots of courage. Sebastian is prepared to draw his sword against the unknown,
‘But one fiend at a time,
I’ll fight their legions o’er.’
This is very brave as the dancing shapes must have been very frightening to the characters. Antonio is prepared to die beside his friend displaying great courage,
‘I’ll be thy second.’
Like all Shakespeare’s characters Antonio and Sebastian’s relationship to the other characters in the play is very important to the play itself. As Prospero’s traitorous brother Antonio is the antagonist to the hero who has caused the play’s situation and Prospero’s anger. He was loved and trusted by Prospero,
‘-he whom next myself
Of all the world I loved,’
Antonio proved through this to be false and scheming therefore we cannot trust him. He shows no remorse for his actions whatsoever when even Sebastian questions his conscience he replies,
‘Ay, sir, where lies that? If’twere a kibe
’Twoud put me to my slipper, but I feel not
This deity in my bosom.’
Antonio has no conscience. Later they are both forgiven by Prospero showing greatness of character on his part but they are not grateful.
Sebastian is the King Alonso’s brother. He along with Antonio consistently mocks his superior in a surprisingly casual way. The leeway that being brother of the king gives Sebastian would not have been great in Shakespeare’s time as the monarch was used to very careful treatment from all. However Alonso does not seem to take offence from these two which shows his weakness of character or perhaps even plain stupidity. They were invited to his daughter’s wedding in Tunis so they must be on fairly good terms with the king yet even on the return journey they mock him by nastily blaming him for the loss of his daughter in his rate. Sebastian says,
‘Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,’
This is very unkind to an already desperately upset man. Antonio and Sebastian’s nastiness to others does not end here. They continually mock others particularly Gonzalo and Adrian.
In conclusion, Antonio and Sebastian are both evil men who contribute to the play in terms of plot direction, humour and in underlying darkness. Their characters are colourful and interesting, representing several flaws in human character and some of the plays themes.
