How far do you agree that The Tempest is a play about the use and abuse of power?

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How far do you agree that The Tempest is a play about the use and abuse of power?

The Tempest uses a variety of symbols and motifs to create the allusion of power upholding a hierarchical society.  The play as a whole uses the idea of having one character controlling the fate of all other characters: other supporting characters also contribute in sustaining the theme of power successfully whom I will talk about further on. I am going to consider how Shakespeare uses his central character to promote the idea of misusing power as a means to ending injustice, and how this character develops relationships with other characters to demonstrate this. Firstly I will look at how not only characters depict this theme but how structurally and literary ideas used by Shakespeare can reveal the illusive nature behind political power.

The opening scene alone creates the setting in which all abuse of power is derived. This scene Act 1, Scene 1, opens with a howling storm (“The Tempest”) tossing a noticeably smaller, powerless boat, threatening to kill the characters before the play had even begun. Referring back to the idea of masters and servants, this is instantly shown throughout Act 1, Scene 1, with social division emerging. The characters on the boat are divided into noblemen, professionals and servants. The danger of the tempest upsets the social dynamic and thus this is where we see how educational power can overrule political power. The boatswain, a lower class commoner, is in direct conflict with the ill-fated nobles, who are appalled at the language a significantly lower class man can use to command authority; this is a contrast to Sebastian and Antonio who seem ignorant and unworthy to the situation onboard.  The fact that in this opening scene no personal names are used to refer to the characters, only terms to indicate social status are used: “Master”, “Boatswain”, “King” highlights the importance power has over the ship. Considering the very impact this storm is having upon the boat, it seems peculiar that the characters mention very little about this tempest, and focus their language principally on the social class quarrels, with each character’s own attempt to survive it, thus gain power on board the boat, this is shown when Gonzalo jokingly states that, due to the working-class status Boatswain defends, they must all be safe as if hierarchy follows correctly, such a commoner was born to hang rather than drown: “I have great comfort in this fellow. Methinks he hath/ no drowning mark upon him – his complexion is/ perfect for the gallows.” (25-28) It is not only Gonzalo who wishes to protect his reputation, Sebastian also shows a perfect example of how, without aggravation, he almost acts as if it is his duty to disparage Boatswain, this is to assure himself sovereignty: “A pox o’ your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog” (38-40) this abuse is unwarranted for. However, Boatswain has the ability to mock these supposed educated nobleman just as much, and also notices the social divisions onboard the ship and has the intelligence to suggest how unimportant monarchy is compared to the “natural” storm currently tormenting: “What cares these roarers for the name of the king?” (15-16) Boatswain has cleverly noticed that in the face of nature, political power is worthless, however this is ironic as here, unbeknownst to the characters onboard, the tempest is not caused through nature, rather it is the product of another power, a rival power: Prospero’s magic. From then on Prospero thus has control of the characters, the play, and the audience due to their ignorance. Realisation therefore sets in for the audience as they now feel they hold a power in the form on knowledge. Shakespeare uses this opening scene to set up expectations for the later disarray of hierarchy, which he mocks in this scene, so his plot can evolve.

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The character who we see advocates this power most, is Prospero. As a magician he is able to manipulate situations, intimidate others on the island, and thus abuse his powers. Despite this Prospero is a sympathetic character in that he was wronged by his misappropriating brother; however this has unfortunately made him more power-hungry, fuelled by rage in a quest for restoration of power.

        

Firstly, Prospero presents himself as a victim of power, this is illustrated at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 2 in which he reveals to his ignorant daughter Miranda how they have been victims ...

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