The Theme Of Forgiveness In The Tempest

Superior Essays
William Shakespeare never ceases to communicate messages through his works, and The Tempest is no exception. There are many lessons and morals taught throughout the course of the play that have both positive and negative impacts. The themes of those who abuse power damaging others, and those that manipulate others for their own benefit are shown to be negative themes that pertain to the dark side of the story, while forgiveness being worth more than revenge teaches a more positive, valuable lesson.

For instance, in the play, Prospero abuses the power that he possesses on the island and makes Caliban, the shipwrecked and Ariel suffer, showing one of the dark themes seen throughout the play. When Prospero and Miranda first arrive on the
…show more content…
After Prospero reveals his plan and everyone is reunited, Alonso discovers that Ferdinand and Miranda are to be married. He begins apologizing to her, expressing profound sorrow and regret towards the wrongful actions he committed. Prospero, however, does not let him finish, “There, sir, stop:/Let us not burthen our remembrance with/A heaviness that’s gone” (5.1.197-199). This statement does not only show that Prospero forgives Alonso, but also that he has moved past the situation and all of the wrongs that Alonso committed. This statement is of utmost importance and value as it is one thing to forgive and another to forget. Prospero continues to choose forgiveness over revenge when he forgives “[Antonio], most wicked sir, whom to call a brother/Would even infect my mouth” (5.1.130-131). Prospero acknowledged that Antonio did not act brotherly and that he did some very foul things. Yet, despite this, Prospero does “Forgive/ [Antonio’s] rankest fault; all of them” (5.1.131-132), once more choosing forgiveness. However, before all of this occurs, Prospero makes a startling confession. Before the shipwrecked are released from his spell, Ariel tells Prospero that if he saw them in the states they were in, he would want to …show more content…
The resolution of the conflict in The Tempest leads to a drastic change of the dark, manipulative themes and mindsets seen throughout the play, through the way that forgiveness becomes the most important theme of all, ending the play in a genuinely good way and teaching the benefit of positive morals in comparison to negative

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    King Lear Forgiveness

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Compassion and forgiveness are one out of the four dominating and prominent themes in William Shakespeare's play, King Lear. In the play, many characters are betrayed and hurt by their loved ones. This sets the stage for the drama in the play. Only through compassion and forgiveness can they forgive each other until tragically they all die. The Cordelia who is not only betrayed but also disowned and banished by her father, King Lear finds a way to forgive Lear at the end of the when he begs for her absolution.…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Tempest Revenge Quotes

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Therefore, there is more value in vengeance than virtue. In The Tempest Prospero aspires revenge against his antagonists. The whole story line of the play is Prospero seeking revenge on his brother for deserting him and his three year old daughter, Miranda, on an island. In the play it reads: "Let them be haunted soundly.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    William Shakespeare highlights enduring ideas about the human condition through the use of dramatic techniques in his tragedy plays. In his play Macbeth, Shakespeare effectively uses the dramatic techniques of character development, commentary by others and symbolism to reveal the enduring ideas of power, greed and ambition, along with its corruptive appeal; relationships and betrayal; and the common issues of loyalty leading to deception. These ideas are shown in exploring the tragic downfall of Macbeth. The enduring idea of corruptive ambition, including power and greed, is explored by the use of dramatic techniques of characterisation, symbolism and commentary by others.…

    • 1313 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    This essay will compare the ways in which powerful characters are presented in The Tempest and Of Mice and Men. It will firstly address the most powerful character in The Tempest and the ways in which the character is presented, secondly it will then compare the similarities of the most powerful character in The Tempest against the most powerful character in Of Mice and Men. It will then go on to compare the characters that hold true power in The Tempest and Of Mice and Men. The fourth part compares the way in which minor characters possess different kinds of power, and finally, some conclusions will be drawn The most powerful character in The Tempest is Prospero as he has power over the island and almost just deemed himself “ruler” of…

    • 1699 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Control In The Tempest

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages

    It was also discussed that too much of one in the soul was never a good thing and always had negative effects on the person. Well Prospero is no exception to this rule, for he possesses way too much Thumos in his soul. He allows his emotions to overtake him, and he can no longer rational think about his actions, and his desire to be the Duke of Milan is overshadowed by his overwhelming desire to seek revenge on those responsible. It isn’t until much later in text that Prospero actually realizes the damage he has done, and how pointless this revenge actually was. Ariel is the one who actually snaps him out of this blind vengeance by saying, “Him that you termed, sir, the good old Lord Gonzalo.…

    • 1507 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In life there are many events that can manipulate the human mind and lead people to do corrupt things in order to achieve the power of success they desire. Throughout literature the theme of passion versus responsibility is always recurring. This conflict is present in Shakespeare play, Macbeth demonstrates how passion versus responsibility can affect not only the individuals, but also everyone else. Mary states that Macbeth provides a starting point for of Shakespeare 's teaching about tyranny and the limitations to human desire (McGrail 1). Stating that Macbeth fate leads to an unexpected love for honor.…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Throughout the play, major themes are weaved into the play to show how shakespeare viewed the society he lived in. The seven deadly sins is used in the play to show how each sin can poison a life until the person loses their life. Doubt is also used to give reasoning behind the characters thoughts and actions. Revenge is also a major theme of the play. Overall, multiple themes make the plot come together at the end.…

    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    After being deceived by his brother and cast away to an island, Prospero was able to apply his knowledge and gain experience. Caliban urges his comrades to “ first possess his books; for without he’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not one spirit to command” (The Tempest, p.53). The strict tone of “first possess his books” exemplifies how Prospero gains the knowledge of magic from his books, but only when he applies his knowledge is he able to command spirits and pose a threat to Caliban. When Miranda and Ferdinand see each other for the first time they instantly fall in love and Prospero reveals, “It goes on, I see, as my soul prompts it” (The Tempest, p.23).…

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Humanity’s desire for power and control was the driving force behind the European colonial period beginning in the 16th century. The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare in 1610, portrays the social issues and insecurities that were caused due to the new-found colonialism. In the second scene of Act 2, the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized festers, consequently leading to discord. Shakespeare uses variations of literary devices, figurative language, diction, and combating tones to portray this societal conflict through the inequality that encompasses the partisan power struggles between the Europeans and natives on the island. Repetition and meter were singular literary devices used to create a discrepancy between Caliban…

    • 1417 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He also refuses to give both Ariel and Caliban their freedoms. Even though he promises Ariel that he will give it to him after two days which have been passed. Prospero uses his magic in both plays Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Cesaire’s The Tempest.…

    • 1588 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The obsessive nature for power is evident in Prospero's decision to let Miranda and Ferdinand as it would secure Prospero's position back home, and would make his daughter queen as well ( IV, I,…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Amanda Mabillard states, “Prospero feels free to forgive those who sinned against him only after he has emerged triumphant and has seen the men, now mournful and “penitent”, pay for their transgressions” (“Forgiveness and Reconciliation in The Tempest.” Shakespeare Online). Prospero, even though he has them at his mercy, the way of forgiveness and reconciliation, in his opinion, is the better way to get revenge on the others, so he chooses…

    • 1243 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    It is evident that Miranda has more respect for her father than he seems to have for his daughter. Prospero is talking to his daughter about the time that he was the Duke of Milan, and how he…

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He has not attained his goal of remorse from Antonio, nor truly feels forgiveness for him. His near unlimited power is thus useless in accomplishing his goal. The passage recounting the tale of his initial betrayal may reveal the answer. Prospero describes himself as ”Prospero, the prime Duke, being so reputed/ In dignity”(1.2.72-73) who becomes engrossed in his library which was ”dukedom large enough” (1.2.110).…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In this complex play written by William Shakespeare, The Tempest is about Prospero, a sorcerer and the rightful Duke of Milan, lives on an island with his daughter, Miranda. Prospero’s brother, Antonio took over his throne and set Prospero and Miranda adrift, and they eventually found themselves washed ashore on the island. Prospero summons a storm to wreck a ship bearing his old enemies near the island, and punishes Antonio and Alonso in multiple ways. Finally, Prospero confronts his brother and Alonso, and he demands that Antonio restore his throne. High school students should still learn The Tempest, because there are themes that are relevant today, characters represent ourselves, how influential language can be.…

    • 1350 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays