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How Does Shakespeare Present Greed In The Tempest

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Benjamin Young Mr. Cassidy Pre-IB Advanced English 10B 6 March 2023 The Tempest Essay In The Tempest, Shakespeare utilizes Antonio to illustrate greed, ignorance, and narcissism throughout the play. In the tempest, the royal family from Milan is washed up on an island after their ship sunk at the hands of Prospero and Ariel as a form of vengeance, for the family's previous actions on him and his daughter. The island that the group washed up on, is the same island that Prospero and his daughter Miranda were banished to after Prospero’s dukedom was overruled. Throughout these events, Shakespeare illustrates the characteristics stated above, through various events throughout the play. …show more content…

The royals banished Prospero and his daughter to the island where they eventually washed up after their ship was sunk. Prospero and his daughter could have perished on the journey toward the island but Gonzalo supplied them with food and supplies to survive. While speaking with his daughter about their banishment from Milan, Prospero says “Twelve year since, Miranda, Twelve year since” (I.i 53). From this quote, you can tell that Antonio and the royal’s actions have had a large impact on him and Miranda. Antonio took over Prospero’s dukedom and banished him and his family, even though Prospero did no harm towards Antonio or the royals. The only thing Antonio wanted in this situation were things for himself (the Duke of Milan) and it illustrates his greed and narcissistic …show more content…

However, near the end of the story, Antonio finally gives up his throne as Duke of Milan to Prospero. Antonio does this to try and make up for his previous actions. Near the end of the play, everyone is together and have just met Prospero after twelve years. While this is happening, Prospero states “My dukedom of thee, which perforce, I know, Thou must restore” (I.iiiii 132 ). Prospero demands that his dukedom should be restored, and no longer be Antonio’s. Antonio gives in to the demands and grants Prospero the Dukedom of Milan which was his previous title before he was banished by the royals. Antonio agrees to this, as a way to make up for his previous actions and the harm that he has caused to Prospero and Miranda. However, For the majority of the story, Antonio is greedy, ignorant, and a narcissist. This small deed that Prospero demanded does not make up for all of the harm that Antonio caused to the people on the island and to Prospero and Miranda. Antonio nearly murdered King Alonso and Gonzalo so he could become King of Milan, overruled Prospero, and banished him and his then three-month-old daughter. After Antonio gave up his dukedom, Prospero says “Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter. Thy brother was further in the act. Thou art pinched for now” (I.iiiii 72). This quote by Prospero is illustrating how Alonso and Antonio used him and his daughter to give Antonio the dukedom of

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