Prospero: The wronged duke of Milan or a cruel colonial master?
In my view Prospero is both the wronged duke of Milan and a cruel colonial master; there are arguments for both sides and against. Prospero both has claims to dukedom and he treats Caliban cruelly. He has reasons for both, but his views change throughout the play as he realises the true implications of his actions.
Prospero is blinded by his obsession with magic and power. ‘My library was dukedom enough’ this suggests that Prospero neglected his rule whilst becoming engrossed in his studies. Prospero entrusted his brother, Antonio, with his power; only to avoid the council and the people. Prospero was blinded by his studies to the fact that Antonio was organising a military coup with the King of Naples. ‘King of Naples, being an enemy’ Prospero says to Miranda as he tells her his story. In return for the king’s assistance with his acquisition of Milan, Antonio promises that Milan will ‘pay annual tribute’ and do ‘him homage’. This implies that the King was only doing Antonio a favour because he would have Milan in his pocket.