Book concepts and characteristics

Tempest

In Act I, scene 2 of Shakespeare's The Tempest, the protagonist Prospero explains his case to both his daughter and his familiar spirit Ariel. Thus, the main themes of the play are elucidated in this one scene more than any other. The concept of power, of power overused and power usurped are evident and constant in Act One, scene 2 of The Tempest. This early in the play, before the audience is privy to the p[ersonalities of Alonso, Ferdinand, Antonia, Sebastian or the other, Prospero establishes the main theme through his characterization, his dialogue, and his stage presence: he embodies the main theme of power tempered with wisdom. Even thought Prospero's very act of bringing on the storm seems morally degenerate at first, the audience seems ironically sympathetic to him. We are led to believe that his birthright as a Duke lends him a sort of ultimate moral authority that would not have been proffered to him had his birth been more mundane. Moreover, his abuse of power is forgiven partly because of the uniqueness of his mystical powers and equally so because of his having been usurped from power by the victims of the storm, those who stole his title from him in the first place. The Tempest is largely about the triumph of justice and the nature of justice; through the main characters the playwright contemplates the absolute nature of justice itself. Shakespeare's play pits universal, divine justice against the human constructions of justice that constitute government and legal societies. In Act One, scene 2 in particular, Prospero states his case, both to his supernatural familiar Ariel and to his daughter Miranda. Shakespeare's play The Tempest poses a particularly peculiar problem because of the supernatural elements contained in the play. Like so many of Shakespeare's plays, The Tempest is founded on universal ethical values, which are brought about by clever use of character, language, and stagecraft.

Prospero is a confident leader. In Act One, Scene Two, Prospero is portrayed as an effective, even if egotistical, leader in his homeland. The fact that he has created a viable alternative society on the island is testimony to his innate potential as a leader. In this scene, Prospero proves his merit to two different characters: Miranda and Ariel. Through Prospero's relationship with both these characters, the audience can discern the greater themes of the play. Prospero is the most godlike character of the play, by far. Even though Ariel is a supernatural creature, Prospero is his master. Moreover, even though a witch "owned" Ariel, Prospero is painted as Ariel's ultimate controller. In addition to the power that Prospero has over Ariel, the main character also demonstrates power over his daughter Miranda. His psychic and political power over these two key characters brings about the main theme of the play. Thus, Prospero, Miranda, and Ariel are not just static persona but rather serve as dynamic functions throughout the play. Especially in this early scene, their roles and functions are elucidated and clarified to the audience.

Shakespeare accomplishes his goals of characterization and theme elucidation primarily via language: diction, structure, metaphor, and verse. Prospero has no soliloquies in this scene; he is thus not portrayed as any sort of dramatic hero. Rather, as a protagonist, Prospero is depicted in Act One, scene two as a dynamic instrument of political power. His language establishes his social status as well as his relationships to the other characters, namely Miranda and Ariel. When Prospero speaks to Ariel in particular, his social status is made clear by the playwright: he states, "Thou shalt be as free / As mountain winds; but then exactly do / All points of my command." In other words, Ariel is theoretically free, so long as he does whatever Prospero tells him to do. The relationship between Prospero and Ariel is poised as one similar to that of master and slave in this scene. Prospero is portrayed as little more than a benevolent master, as a slave owner who treats his "cattle" well. Through this scene Shakespeare makes a broad statement about the nature of human political, social, and economic relationships. The fact that Ariel is a different being, a non-human being, underscores the theme of political power used and abused.