Examples Of Power In The Tempest

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William Shakespeare still is often referred to as the greatest writer in the English language, even centuries after his last writing. One of his plays that represents the desire and the potential malevolent side of the protagonist is The Tempest. The word “tempest” literally translates to “a violently windy storm”; though the play starts with a literal tempest ordered by the protagonist, Prospero, many other metaphorical storms are generated. The play embarks with Prospero ordering one of his servants to create a tempest and cause a shipwreck on the shores of the island. Numerous strategies were put into place by Ariel (Prospero's servant who created the storm) to allow complete power into Prospero’s hands. Plots for murders, enslavement and revenge embodies the subject topics of the chaotic play. Yet the struggle for nature’s power suggests the factors in demand for true power. The Tempest demonstrates the many plots for supreme power that revolves around the three pinnacles for power, knowledge, title, physical strength.

One of Prospero’s major important aspects to power is his own knowledge. Prospero has used his knowledge to manipulate others into his own wishes. …show more content…

The Shakespearean play, The Tempest, examined the troubles in obtaining nature’s true power. Once Prospero obtained it, he almost immediately got rid of it. He took advantage of his servants to gain his power, yet decides to throw away his own individual power… his knowledge. Prospero is left with only his dukedom and even less than what he had those 12 years ago. Shakespeare could have intended to mean that power is strong, and only will the power mean anything to you if you’ve earned it the right way. Prospero used Ariel and Caliban to earn his own power, when in reality it was their power he was using. Power could only be achieved with self-actions of title, physical strength, and