In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, Miranda, the daughter of Prospero, states that “Good wombs have borne bad sons” (1.2.119). In regards to nature versus nurture in The Tempest, this quote shows that there is a preference for nature as even the best conditions can still form wicked people. Nature is how a person’s underlying personality determines their behaviour, while nurture is how the environment in which a person is raised impacts their behaviour. The concept of the two applies to the play. A storm that Prospero conjures brings forth the contrasting natures of characters that have been nurtured in a similar environment. By examining the natures of Prospero and his brother, Antonio, and Miranda and Caliban, it is evident that nature triumphs
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Prospero is the former Duke of Milan before his brother usurps him of his dukedom. It is due to Prospero “[growing stranger to his state], being transported / and rapt in secret studies” (1.2.75-76) that leads to his brother into overtaking his position. However, instead of confronting Prospero about his troublesome methods of ruling and coming to a solution together, Antonio “[awakes] an evil nature” (1.2.93) within himself and heads straight to the “King of Naples, being an enemy / To [Prospero] inveterate” (1.2.121). The king of Naples, Alonso, and Antonio work together to betray and overthrow Prospero. To make matters worse, once Antonio becomes the new Duke of Milan, he does not allow Prospero to continue staying in the royal family either. Prospero and his young daughter are “hurried . . . aboard a barque” (1.2.144) and sent off to an uninhabited island to rot. Although it is possible to argue that Antonio did this all for the good of the state as his brother was too wrapped in his studies, the fact still stands that Antonio has an evil nature despite being raised under the same conditions as Prospero. This is demonstrated when Antonio and the others arrive on the island
Prospero is the former Duke of Milan before his brother usurps him of his dukedom. It is due to Prospero “[growing stranger to his state], being transported / and rapt in secret studies” (1.2.75-76) that leads to his brother into overtaking his position. However, instead of confronting Prospero about his troublesome methods of ruling and coming to a solution together, Antonio “[awakes] an evil nature” (1.2.93) within himself and heads straight to the “King of Naples, being an enemy / To [Prospero] inveterate” (1.2.121). The king of Naples, Alonso, and Antonio work together to betray and overthrow Prospero. To make matters worse, once Antonio becomes the new Duke of Milan, he does not allow Prospero to continue staying in the royal family either. Prospero and his young daughter are “hurried . . . aboard a barque” (1.2.144) and sent off to an uninhabited island to rot. Although it is possible to argue that Antonio did this all for the good of the state as his brother was too wrapped in his studies, the fact still stands that Antonio has an evil nature despite being raised under the same conditions as Prospero. This is demonstrated when Antonio and the others arrive on the island