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The Tempest Essay

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Tempest The Tempest represents several aspects in the novel; One of them being a symbol of the social upheaval that occurs on board the ship. As the sailors, The Boatswain, and the royal hierarchy get thrown around by the storm, it appears that social status no longer matters when facing death.The Tempest shows the audience that it ultimately does not matter where you stand in society, whether you were a king or a peasant sailor, their fates are all being controlled in the hands of the storm, or in this case Prospero. Also during the storm, readers see a change in attitude towards royalty with many of the people on board, especially the Boatswain. The Boatswain is foul-mouthed, and angers those of royalty, even Gonzalo who reminds him that the king is on board the ship. Despite this, the Boatswain ignores all the non-sense of praying or giving respect to the upper-class, and relies on his natural instincts and expertise on how to keep the boat steady. This shows readers that no matter what religion,race, or class you are, humanity is on all the same level when it comes to toying with death. The …show more content…

Ariel is obedient and loyal to Prospero, the only time Prospero does not praise him is when he questions Prospero’s authority. Ariel is an air spirit, capable of doing many things, however, is restrained by Prospero’s authority. Readers see him as passive, and although he is capable of doing many miraculous things, the way he accepts his slavery deems him as weak. Caliban, on the other hand is the opposite of Ariel. He’s quite cynical,mad, and begrudging, but sensitive and rebellious. Caliban is only forced by Prospero to work for him, but openly rejects him which gives him more independence and freedom compared to Ariel. What Shakespeare is trying to imply here is that one must have a balance of both. One cannot be too rebellious and independent, nor can one be too loyal and

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