The use and abuse of power
In the Tempest, William Shakespeare depicts the use and abuse of power in different ways. Sometimes the use of power is related to politics, other times is just personal ambition. The characters in the play use power properly, however, the use of power and authority turns into abuse and tyranny. In this essay I will talk about some moments when this happen: Antonio and Alonso abuse of power and Prospero abuse of power with Caliban and Ariel.
Firstly, Prospero has always wanted to show his power and he believes that having power gives him permission to humiliate and mistreat people. Mostly, those people have to follow his orders and he knows he can use his power to make them do what he wants or even to force them. When he talks to Caliban, he uses very harsh words stating his authority over the creature.
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He does make our fire,
Fetch, and serves in offices
That profit us. What ho! Slave! Caliban!
Thou earth, thou! Speak! (….)
Come, thou tortoise, when!” (Page 27-29, The tempest, Shakespeare)
Secondly, the use and abuse of power is seen in his relationship with his servants, as it has always been unfair and violent. He treats people like Caliban, Ariel and the rest of slaves as not humans, like animals. They are savages to him and they do not deserve any kind of respect. Every time Ariel complaints about something or asks him for her freedom, he threatens her and mistreats her. Therefore, she asks for forgiveness.
“Prospero: (…) When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape
The pine and let thee out.
Ariel: I thank thee, master.
Prospero: If thou more murmur’s, I will rend an oak
And peg thee in his knotty entrails