How far do you agree that The Tempest is a play about the use and abuse of power?
Throughout The Tempest the underlying theme of power entrances the characters into a damaging mindset. The use will ultimately turn to abuse and so strip the characters of all authority they may have gained. Essentially the theme works as power versus desire. It is the desire of the characters that will eventually lead them to the world of affluent power that is sort by every man.
The most significant character, Prospero is the central catalyst in the battle for control in the play and is used by Shakespeare to dramatise the exercise of power by creating these flamboyant scenes to boast about his supremacy in the play. Especially the extravagant ‘Masque’ he crafts. He uses his power only to increase his social standing and nurse his broken ego. He is controlled by revenge because of his usurpation from Milan. He feels a need to fight against his brother and the king who have so maliciously deserted him on the forsaken island. In turn the jealousy and desire for revenge controls the way he uses his power and formulates manipulativeness in his personality which is shown through his command over Ariel and Caliban. It is ironic that he is so livid with Antonio, his brother for banishing him to the island and amazed that he could be so brutal to him, yet he has no reservations about holding Ariel and Caliban. The most powerful thing he controls is Ariel. Ariel has a lot of power, as made known when he performs great tasks such as creating the tempest. Prospero has enough power to control Ariel which gave him even greater intensity. Prospero is the leader of the enchanted island because of his magic powers. He can control the island however he likes, and he always seems to know exactly when and where something is going to happen. He had lost Milan but he gained a new empire, the enchanted island.
