The Tempest - analysis of themes in a speech by Ariel.

The plot of the Tempest revolves around Prospero’s scheme for revenge on the nobles who usurped him, for justice, for power and for reconciliation. Act 3 Sc iii is the climax of the play where Ariel reveals the reason behind their landing on the Island - punishment for their sins. Shakespeare uses language, stage directions as literary devices to bring out certain themes and to make Ariel’s dialogue dramatic and powerful.

In this scene, Ariel has the appearance of a harpy. This gives a supernatural atmosphere to the island and suggests that fate - not Prospero - is what brought them to the island. The use of other stage directions include a clap of thunder when Ariel disappears, soft music and spirits that dance and depart with the banquet. These stage directions help attribute the happenings to fate, natural justice and order of the universe.

Shakespeare uses a plethora of potent literary devices in Ariel’s dialogue to elicit fitting effects. “The powers delaying, not forgetting, have incensed the seas and shores, yea all the creatures against your peace”. The personification of power suggests that some godly force brought them here as punishment. There is also irony in it since Antonio, Sebastian and Alonso sent Prospero away to sea in the hopes of his death. The same force of the ocean seems to be punishing them for their deeds. The mythical illusion of Ariel’s appearance as a harpy also reiterates the themes of punishment and betrayal.

There are many themes brought out in Ariel’s dialogue addressing the nobles: revenge, punishment, justice and power. On the most superficial level, Ariel is speaking about revenge that ‘fate is partaking on the men that harmed Prospero. However this sense of justice is slightly ironic since Prospero himself is planning it. This takes away from the notion of a detached system of justice and fate that presides over humanity and equals the scales. Prospero uses dramatic techniques to suggest that they are being punished by fate. This allows Prospero to have his revenge as well as have opportunities for future reconciliations. This shows the theme of Prospero’s indubitable power. He uses dramatic techniques, sorcery, oration and spirits to carry out his schemes and although his intentions are good, questions of hypocrisy and totalitarianism are brought out. Prospero complains of his predicament and then uses Ariel to threaten the nobles of a life of torture. The use of Ariel brings another idea into question- is Prospero doing right in trapping Ariel on the island. While getting revenge for one incident, he is treating other beings unfairly, the very action he is currently dealing with.

This paradox is one of the prominent notions in The Tempest that shows the hypocritical human side of Prospero that coexists with the godly, knowledgeable side. This paradox and irony of the Tempest is eventually resolved at the end, which compounds the theory that there is indeed a higher force of justice.