Prospero describes how thirsty Antonio was for power: “So dry he was for sway.”- his downfall of Dukedom aroused his brother’s interest: “Hence his ambition growing.” We understand that hunger for power has tempted the conspiracy of usurpation along with Antonio’s accomplice Alonso to overthrow Prospero. We learn that Antonio has no sense of guilt for overthrowing Prospero. This underlines the power of manipulation, as he would kill Alonso so that Sebastien will become king. Antonio continually uses metaphors to express his lack of conscience: “If ‘twere a kybe ‘Twould put me to my slipper;” if he had felt pain, he would not have felt God in his heart. The uses of metaphors inspire his malicious plans for power which is thoroughly conveyed through his determination.
Shakespeare also intended to portray power in Prospero through the use of the character Ariel who is his slave. The words Ariel chooses to present himself to Prospero underlines the hierarchy of importance: “All hail, great master”. Ariel also treats Prospero with respect and does not curse him in contrast to Caliban. “To thy strong bidding task Ariel”- he respects his authority and accepts Prospero’s commands. But Ariel intends to be released from Prospero and reminds him of his good deeds: “Remember I have done thee worthy service”- Ariel’s ambition is his freedom and not ruled by a master of power. This impression draws our intention to usurpation with a direct comparison with Caliban.
There is also power of manipulation when Ariel had sent the King and his nobles to sleep. Since Antonio and Sebastian were convinced to kill the King for Sebastian to claim the throne, Ariel had woken the sleepers in time before the danger of the assassination. In this scene we also see the enduring power of Antonio’s malicious plans despite Alonso was his accomplice to overthrow Prospero.
Caliban claims Prospero had usurped him. Despite his powerlessness he chants a false cursing on him: “A south-west blow on ye”. His false power engages the reader’s interest of Caliban’s anger over Prospero. Miranda also mimics Prospero’s power: “Abhorred slave”, perhaps she is following her father’s footsteps of sorcery. She uses words to give images of violence: “savage” and “vile race”- it helps us understand the hideous and violent nature Caliban has. Caliban has such physical strength of power but is incompetent against Prospero’s wizardry: “I must obey; his art is of such power”.
Caliban again had made a cursing of Prospero re-iterating his demonstration of his false power. He accuses that even minor offences are tormented against him, which perhaps is an infringement of his dignity: “For every trifle are they set upon me”. We are reminded of Caliban’s powerlessness when he fears that Trinculo may be a spirit from Prospero. On the other contrast, Trinculo hides under the cloak of Caliban who fears the power of the weather: “neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather.” It was a deep belief that God’s mood was portrayed by the weather that threatens Trinculo.
We gain insight to the power of love between Ferdinand and Miranda, when they first meet each other. Miranda believes Ferdinand is a “spirit”- she is admiring Ferdinand’s beauty and is enthralled. She falls in love for the first time with a stranger; perhaps Shakespeare intended to use a power of love not as a weakness but strength to bind two characters together which is an everlasting relationship that influences the play.
Shakespeare explores power when Prospero accuses Ferdinand of usurping him: “Thou dost here usurp”. Prospero describes Ferdinand as a “spy” which explains the significance of power used for evil purposes to overthrow him. He also persuades Miranda “he’s a traitor”- creates the impression of betrayal imitating Antonio and Alonso as his accomplice. As Prospero knows Ferdinand is the son of the King, he would believe he is following his father’s steps and so have an identical mind to usurp. Ferdinand believes the King is dead and so he is now King, Prospero cannot allow his power to take control of him. On the other hand Miranda sees Ferdinand in a different perspective- his handsomeness reflects his innocent character. She is therefore bewildered: “Why speaks my father so ungently?” Shakespeare has indicated that Ferdinand has the desire to love Miranda by his warm compliments to her: “I’ll make you The Queen of Naples”.
Prospero’s wizardry to stop Ferdinand from moving is a demonstration of his power. Miranda’s fear of Ferdinand is portrayed through her words: “Make not too rash a trial of him”- it illustrates how Prospero’s power can be terrifying and tragic for Miranda with a direct link to the beginning scene of her sorrow for the sailors in the shipwreck. Prospero indeed has power over his daughter Miranda: “Silence!”- there is no questioning that Miranda must obey her father. Furthermore, Prospero could possibly be taking far too much power to control his daughter. He had used his wizardry to make her sleep before the appearance of Ariel- possibly Shakespeare wanted to convey Prospero’s impatience.
There is Power of Love when Miranda reassures Ferdinand to console him of the incident. “Be of comfort”- we understand that Miranda cares for Ferdinand. However the Love between the two characters deepens and they both declare love for each other. Perhaps this Power of Love is a microcosm between foreign settlers and Europeans that have a bonding relationship in the 17th Century. Shakespeare particularly intended to portray this power of love that establishes a connection in the culture of our society today. On the other hand Prospero doubts this love between the two: “Poor worm, thou art infected”. This depiction of love is seen as a disease in Prospero’s eyes as if Miranda had caught it. Possibly Prospero had called Miranda a “worm” to express her vulnerability and the powerless nature of her that Prospero so much controlled her.
Shakespeare’s intention of alcohol used to pollute the minds of consumers is conveyed through Stephano who first introduces it in the play. Perhaps this scene is intended to portray a microcosm of the wide spreading of alcohol in Europe. Alcohol is an addiction to Stephano: “but here’s my comfort”. Stephano tempts Caliban to drink the alcohol as well which poisons his mind into drunkenness. There is a handling of power from Stephano as Caliban intends to become his slave, since he believes that he is a God. Perhaps this is an interpretation of slaves being exchanged for worthy masters that Shakespeare wanted to send a message to. This mimics Caliban’s loyalty and trust to Prospero when they first met, that Caliban was honest and loyal to him as a servant. However Trinculo denies this power from Stephano : “ A most ridiculous monster, to make wonder of a poor drunkard.”
