All throughout history, it seems as if people have always had some sort of obsession with power. Power is what drives people to do crazy things and is also known as the cause of many tragic events. In Shakespeare's play, The Tempest, the idea of the abuse of power is a reoccurring theme that emerges throughout the play. While reading The Tempest, one notices that Shakespeare often uses literary theory to reveal the theme much more. By looking at many literary theories, one specifically being postcolonial theory, one can see the harsh abuse of power, which most readers don’t see; this is important because it shows not only what was happening then but what is happening today.
To begin with, in act 1 scene 2, Shakespeare leaves it to the reader …show more content…
(1. 2. 297-299)
During this scene Ariel brings up the subject of his freedom and receives a negative reaction from Prospero who believes that Ariel was not being appreciative of Prospero’s doings. By using literary criticism one can clearly point out the role of master and servant. One may also notice that Prospero threatens Ariel by insisting on trapping him in a tree for twelve years, which is ironic being that Prospero is the one who saved him from being trapped in a tree by Sycorax. This does not only mean that Prospero is abusing his power, but it also means that Prospero is no better than Sycorax himself. Moreover, another example of the abuse of power is in act 2 scene 1. In this scene, there is a plot to take over Alonso’s place just as Antonio did to Prospero. Antonio and Sebastian both attempted to murder in order to have more power than they already have. In the text it states:
SEBASTIAN. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent. As thou got’st Milan, I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest. And I the king shall love thee.
ANTONIO. Draw together. And when I rear my hand, do you the like, To fall it on Gonzalo. (2. 1. …show more content…
This would make Prospero an intruder to his Island and in a way, and gives Prospero the role of the colonizer. Shakespeare heavily enforces post-colonial criticism in this play but more specifically in this scene. Prospero takes over the Island after Caliban was kind enough to show him around the Island. This only leaves Caliban as the colonized. Prospero basically controls the Island now that Sycorax is gone and the way he enforces his control and power is through magic. Prospero manipulates his power multiple times in the play but in this scene it shows the readers the damage Prospero is willing to do to this native in order to get what he wants. In conclusion, the theme of the abuse of power is a reoccurring theme that Shakespeare seems to show through literary theory in The Tempest. Although many may dismiss this and say that the theme was revenge, others can argue that it is much deeper than revenge. In the complexity of it all, most of the characters desired power and abused it in some way. The author often reminds us about the theme of the play by continuously using different literary theories to force the reader to think beyond the basic ideas of
To begin with, in act 1 scene 2, Shakespeare leaves it to the reader …show more content…
(1. 2. 297-299)
During this scene Ariel brings up the subject of his freedom and receives a negative reaction from Prospero who believes that Ariel was not being appreciative of Prospero’s doings. By using literary criticism one can clearly point out the role of master and servant. One may also notice that Prospero threatens Ariel by insisting on trapping him in a tree for twelve years, which is ironic being that Prospero is the one who saved him from being trapped in a tree by Sycorax. This does not only mean that Prospero is abusing his power, but it also means that Prospero is no better than Sycorax himself. Moreover, another example of the abuse of power is in act 2 scene 1. In this scene, there is a plot to take over Alonso’s place just as Antonio did to Prospero. Antonio and Sebastian both attempted to murder in order to have more power than they already have. In the text it states:
SEBASTIAN. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent. As thou got’st Milan, I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest. And I the king shall love thee.
ANTONIO. Draw together. And when I rear my hand, do you the like, To fall it on Gonzalo. (2. 1. …show more content…
This would make Prospero an intruder to his Island and in a way, and gives Prospero the role of the colonizer. Shakespeare heavily enforces post-colonial criticism in this play but more specifically in this scene. Prospero takes over the Island after Caliban was kind enough to show him around the Island. This only leaves Caliban as the colonized. Prospero basically controls the Island now that Sycorax is gone and the way he enforces his control and power is through magic. Prospero manipulates his power multiple times in the play but in this scene it shows the readers the damage Prospero is willing to do to this native in order to get what he wants. In conclusion, the theme of the abuse of power is a reoccurring theme that Shakespeare seems to show through literary theory in The Tempest. Although many may dismiss this and say that the theme was revenge, others can argue that it is much deeper than revenge. In the complexity of it all, most of the characters desired power and abused it in some way. The author often reminds us about the theme of the play by continuously using different literary theories to force the reader to think beyond the basic ideas of