How Does Prospero Use Forgiveness In The Tempest

Forgiveness is a difficult thing to give to others. We struggle choosing whether to forgive or to get back at the ones who have wronged us. Forgiveness is something we do to express love by surpassing all the wrongs one has done. On the contrary, vengeance is acting in retaliation in response to the ones who have wronged us. In William Shakespeare’s, The Tempest, Prospero has the opportunity to seek vengeance on his brother, Antonio, who has usurped the Dukedom of Milan. However, he chooses not to which is demonstrated when Prospero agrees to free the royal party and says, “The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance” (V.i.27-28). Throughout the play, Prospero must accept that forgiveness is freeing in comparison to revenge regardless

Prospero does not want more power on the island or in Milan. Prospero renounces his power in act five of The Tempest as he does not want to create more conflicts. Prospero had power initially in Milan but gave it up in order to focus on his magic. Caliban assumes that Prospero wants control of the island so he can exert more power over others, but Prospero has never done anything to prove that Caliban’s assumption is correct. Prospero is given the opportunity to return to Milan and gain power again, but he chooses not to. Prospero forgives Antonio and Sebastian for the wrong they do against him even though neither Sebastian nor Antonio deserve his forgiveness. Neither of these men show any reconciliation for their actions and yet Prospero graciously forgives both of these men. Prospero shows Sebastian virtue when he says Sebastian, “would here have killed [his] king, I do forgive thee unnatural thou art” (V.i.78-79). As much as Prospero tries to deny feeling love towards the other characters throughout the play, he does. Prospero’s love and admission of wrongdoing is revealed beneath his anger and coldness. Prospero loves his daughter Miranda and wants what is best for her. He also loves, Ariel just as much as he loves Miranda as Ariel has always been there for Prospero and willing to help. Ariel asks, “Do you love me, master?” (IV.i. 47) in which Prospero replies, “Dearly, my delicate Ariel” (IV.i.48). Prospero’s love for Ariel is what allows him to set Ariel free. Prospero’s willingness to give up his power over Ariel shows how he doesn’t strive to become powerful and it isn’t a main concern of his. Instead, he wants to spread love and allow everyone to be free from what they