In what ways does the concept of reversal appear in "The Tempest"?

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"In what ways does the concept of reversal appear in the start of Act 2?"

By: Taylor Edwards

A Tragedy can be described as a particular kind of drama where characters experience temporary reversals of fortune leaving the principal character with some sort of misfortune. The makings of this concept can be seen in “The Tempest” Act 2 with the characters Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban.

These three characters come into agreement to the plot to murder Prospero as they believed that they could profit from their violent act and to force things to work out in their favor. The fact they contemplated the possibility of killing Prospero shows a reversal of morality in some ways as this act of murder would not have been considered if they did not end up on the remote island because in their homeland murder would have been punishable by death and far too risky for men of their status. Stephano’s goals are to marry Miranda and become king of the island at which time he promised to appoint Trinculo and Caliban as viceroys. This shows a reversal of power as in their former positions they were relatively powerless as the butler and court jester, while in their “new positions” they would be the most powerful people on the island.

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However I think that there is another reason they conspired to commit the murder in the first place. In my opinion, Stephano enjoys his present status as Caliban's god which can be described as another kind of reversal as he experiences a sudden increase in status from being only the butler of the king. This is similar to the reversal of power that Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban hope to experience by killing Prospero. Stephano takes great pleasure in the sudden improvement in status in the eyes of Caliban which could be described as a reversal of wisdom as a ...

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