Throughout centuries of philosophy, people have been contemplating the effects of nature versus nurture. Are people born with the ability to live with unselfish concern, then corrupted by society? Or are humans essentially evil. If so, how does one define what is good or bad? Considering the subjectivity that follows humanity 's perception of altruism, it is arguable that humans are simply an amalgamation of the environment they are exposed to. In the Tempest, Shakespeare depicts humans with the capability to act with virtue, but argues that over time, they are corrupted by their greed for power, monstrous tendencies and illusion of justice. In the Tempest, Shakespeare displays humans as virtuous but inevitably corrupted by their desire for
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In twelve years, Prospero has felt the ever looming resentment build until he can no longer stand it, and conjures up a Tempest to shipwreck his brother and cohorts. Considering Prospero 's affluent upbringing as Duke of Milan, he presumably feels a sense of entitlement towards the title. In act I, Prospero says, "I am more better than Prospero, master of a full poor cell and thy no greater father" (1.2.20-21). His entitlement drives him to act irrationally, somehow finding a way to justify his actions. Prospero also attempts to colonize the island, displaying that his entitlement leads him to try and capture Caliban and Ariel. Prospero seeks power in every facet of his life. He controls Miranda and keeps Caliban and Ariel as slaves to him. From this, one can argue that Prospero is evil. Yet in spite of everything done to him, Prospero becomes forgiving and merciful at the end of the play. In act V Prospero says, "The rare action is in virtue than in vengeance" (5.1.27-28). Essentially, Prospero was brought up as a privileged Duke, and as a result, suffered the consequences of hunger for power. Over his time on the island, Prospero forgot the desire for power that had consumed him for so many years. The play …show more content…
Justice is theoretically indefinable, as the definition of justice varies between people. In the Tempest, Prospero perceives utopia as his law. His word holds power above anything else on the island. As a result, Prospero is very hypocritical in his use of power. While he condemns Antonio for taking over his power, he simultaneously rules over Caliban and Ariel. In act I, Prospero says to Miranda, "Both, both my girl. By foul play as thou sayest were he heaved thence, but blessedly hold hither" (1.2.61-63). Prospero believes he has experienced a grave injustice on his part. He explains that he was pushed out of power by evil deeds, yet that is precisely what he did to Caliban, the rightful owner of the island. Prospero is the former Duke of Milan and therefore cannot let go of his debatably unethical view of power. A distinct contradiction to Prospero 's view of justice is Gonzalo. Gonzalo is idealistic and has a sense of optimism unlike anyone else on the island. Due to his optimism, Gonzalo also maintains an unrealistic vision of what utopia should look like. In act II, he says, "I 'th ' commonwealth I would by contraries execute all things for no kind of traffic. No name of magistrate" (2.1.140-142). Gonzalo believes that an ideal society should be devoid of hierarchy, class and work. There would be no wealth nor poverty and as a result, no division
In twelve years, Prospero has felt the ever looming resentment build until he can no longer stand it, and conjures up a Tempest to shipwreck his brother and cohorts. Considering Prospero 's affluent upbringing as Duke of Milan, he presumably feels a sense of entitlement towards the title. In act I, Prospero says, "I am more better than Prospero, master of a full poor cell and thy no greater father" (1.2.20-21). His entitlement drives him to act irrationally, somehow finding a way to justify his actions. Prospero also attempts to colonize the island, displaying that his entitlement leads him to try and capture Caliban and Ariel. Prospero seeks power in every facet of his life. He controls Miranda and keeps Caliban and Ariel as slaves to him. From this, one can argue that Prospero is evil. Yet in spite of everything done to him, Prospero becomes forgiving and merciful at the end of the play. In act V Prospero says, "The rare action is in virtue than in vengeance" (5.1.27-28). Essentially, Prospero was brought up as a privileged Duke, and as a result, suffered the consequences of hunger for power. Over his time on the island, Prospero forgot the desire for power that had consumed him for so many years. The play …show more content…
Justice is theoretically indefinable, as the definition of justice varies between people. In the Tempest, Prospero perceives utopia as his law. His word holds power above anything else on the island. As a result, Prospero is very hypocritical in his use of power. While he condemns Antonio for taking over his power, he simultaneously rules over Caliban and Ariel. In act I, Prospero says to Miranda, "Both, both my girl. By foul play as thou sayest were he heaved thence, but blessedly hold hither" (1.2.61-63). Prospero believes he has experienced a grave injustice on his part. He explains that he was pushed out of power by evil deeds, yet that is precisely what he did to Caliban, the rightful owner of the island. Prospero is the former Duke of Milan and therefore cannot let go of his debatably unethical view of power. A distinct contradiction to Prospero 's view of justice is Gonzalo. Gonzalo is idealistic and has a sense of optimism unlike anyone else on the island. Due to his optimism, Gonzalo also maintains an unrealistic vision of what utopia should look like. In act II, he says, "I 'th ' commonwealth I would by contraries execute all things for no kind of traffic. No name of magistrate" (2.1.140-142). Gonzalo believes that an ideal society should be devoid of hierarchy, class and work. There would be no wealth nor poverty and as a result, no division