Essay on Prospero

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Darren Marsh

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Essay on Prospero

William Shakespeare's last play The Tempest is a story about Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan. He is betrayed by his brother Antonio and left on a ship with his daughter Miranda to die. Only things are not going according to plan and Prospero and Miranda arrive on an island. Prospero is seeking his revenge. Coming back from a wedding in Africa a ship containing Prospero's enemies is attacked by a tempest and scatters its passengers about the island. Prospero uses three major character traits throughout the story including being powerful, protective and forgiving that will help him gain his place back in Milan. Prospero lost his dukedom because he failed to recognise his brother's ambition and because he neglected his first duty, the governing of Milan.

Prospero's name is an indication of his function in the play. It is Latin for 'I cause to make prosperous, happy and successful'. He plays the most significant role in the play in that he is on the stage longer than any other character and he controls the fate of all others on the island.

Our first sight of Prospero is as a father and a magician. We see his love or Miranda and the spectacular magic powers he commands. Prospero is a very powerful person and using his spell books he is able to conjure up astonishing magic. Possibly the most powerful thing he controls is Ariel, a spirit. An example of this is when Prospero says "Hast thou, spirit, Preformed to point, the tempest I bade thee". Ariel had the power to create a great sea storm and Prospero had the power to control Ariel, which gives him great power. Another reason why Prospero is powerful is because of his knowledge of Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo's plot to kill the king. So when Prospero reclaims his place in Milan he'll be able to use blackmail against them just in case he needs any favours or they become troublesome. This way they'll think twice before plotting against Prospero. The supernatural powers Prospero uses are astonishing. He has control over earth, air, fire and water. He can rise and calm tempests, command his spirits to produce grand banquets and masques, make himself invisible and control Caliban with cramps and pinches. He can call up music and send people to sleep. When he decides to give up his magical powers, prospero recalls all the miracles he can perform: dimming the sun, commanding the winds, making storms at sea, splitting oaks with lightning bolts and causing earthquakes. He can even raise the dead from their graves. These are the reasons why Prospero is powerful. At the end of the play Prospero gives up his magic. Shakespeare clearly wants us to see this as good and necessary action. Magic has set Prospero above human hierarchy, it has almost made him into a God. This is no more a natural or appropriate position for Prospero than a place as a member of Prospero's family was for Caliban.
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A harsh side to his character is revealed in his dealings with his two slaves, Ariel and Caliban. Both are kept in his service under threat of painful punishment and although he feels love for Ariel, Caliban is treated with severe contempt. Prospero feels that the only way Caliban can be controlled is by violence, "whom stripes may move, not kindness". He treats Miranda in two ways and whether he treats her with care and affection is debateable. For example, he tells Miranda that "I have done nothing but in care of thee" although it was his behaviour ...

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