ipl-logo

The Tempest Vs. An Enemy Of The People

588 Words3 Pages

The Tempest vs An Enemy of the People
The Tempest is a play that explores many different ideas about humanity. Two of the primary themes of the Tempest are knowledge and power. The entire play shows the power of Prospero and of his spirit, Ariel, and the power that Prospero uses to control the entire story. He is a bit of a control freak when it comes down to it. Using his magic to enslave Ariel and using his magic to control the actions of the crew on the boat, and seek revenge upon those who wronged him. All of his power comes the knowledge he learned from his books. Showing the classic “Knowledge is power.” An Enemy of the People shares the theme of power and knowledge and what it really means to have power and knowledge. The play shows a big struggle for power, primarily between the two brothers, but also includes side characters, who are just looking for the best opportunity for their own success. …show more content…

In the Tempest Prospero ends up doing what is morally right. However, the play shows how devious Prospero is and how much knowledge he possesses. Making the reader question if he only gave mercy to his enemies for his daughter's sake and so that they could get back to the mainland. It would not be very much of a stretch considering the amount of power prospero possesses. A small taste of it can be seen in this quote “ PROSPERO The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd The very virtue of compassion in thee,I have with such provision in mine art So safely ordered that there is no soul— No, not so much perdition as an hair, Be Tied to any creature in the vessel (1.2.33-38)” This quote explains that Prospero was powerful enough to destroy a ship in a very fierce storm, yet also keep the entire crew completely unharmed. Prospero’s power is

Show More
Related

Comparing Power In Hamlet And The Glass Castle By Jeanette Walls

759 Words | 4 Pages

Power can be displayed in various different ways, whether it be physical force, manipulation, coercion or persuasion, it has an inevitable effect on the environment facing it. The nature of power influences people who have too much authority to become overly conceited, resulting in failure driven by manipulation and neglect. This phenomenon is vividly portrayed in Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. In both narratives, characters demonstrate an excessive abuse of power, ultimately leading to failure for themselves and those around them. The power they are given is a valid proof of Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “Nearly all men can withstand adversity; but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Read More

The Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern

450 Words | 2 Pages

He becomes increasingly desperate as the circus reaches its climax, and his grip on reality begins to slip. It is clear that he is not as in control as he likes to think he is, and that his own emotions are clouding his judgment. When he finally realizes that he has lost the battle with Celia, his despair is palpable. But even in defeat, Prospero remains a fascinating character.

Read More

Shakespeare's Forbidden Planet: Scene Analysis

1987 Words | 8 Pages

Throughout both stories both Prospero, and Morbius are noticed to contain amounts of knowledge and power. In the beginning of The Tempest you can view Prospero as someone who is evil, and uses his power only for revenge which was his whole plan in the first place. Morbius, in the beginning he didn’t want the crew there in the first place. Morbius was not as inviting or seemed to want the Commander and his crew off the Island as quickly as possible, showing he was up to no good. Though as The Tempest slowly progresses you can see a change through Prospero’s action, thinking if he really wanted to go through with his plan.

Read More

Theme Of Vengeance In The Tempest

987 Words | 4 Pages

Vengeance vs. Virtue The play The Tempest, by Shakespeare, explores the values of vengeance and forgiveness through the story of Prospero. The main conflict of the story is Prospero's lack of forgiveness for his brother Antonio, who stole his throne. This causes him to seek vengeance on Antonio and all his allies. Through the events of the story, it is evident that there is more value in virtue compared to vengeance.

Read More

The Tempest Comparative Essay

140 Words | 1 Pages

In conclusion, both plays demonstrate tension between what are implied to be wild and civilized realms. However, The Tempest is much more assertive in its consideration and the question of which character represents civility is much more predominant. Montaigne’s essay undoubtedly inspired Shakespeare’s sympathetic portrayal of Caliban as the isle’s peaceful native and Prospero is characterized throughout as a colonizer, thus questioning the legitimacy of what he deems “civilized”. Although King Lear too draws on tension between what is considered wild and civilized, the boundaries are blurred; it appears Shakespeare contrasts both location and characterization to emphasize the potential for corruptibility in both realms. Nonetheless, The Tempest

Read More

The Tempest Power

567 Words | 3 Pages

Many thought everyone on the ship had died. But the truth is that Prospero ; the protagonist who caused everything; made sure everyone on the ship would be safe after the shipwreck. Stephano on the other hand, who was on the ship. When they got to land, he thought he was being smart. He thought that no lived on that island and that he could become the king of that island.

Read More

Loss In The Tempest

892 Words | 4 Pages

His insecurity with losing his daughter is putting him over the edge. But he will later realize that he did this to himself. Even though Prospero has experienced many forms of loss, he also experiences a form of loss in which helps him become a better person. He loses his hostility and vengeance for everyone who has wronged him in the past. He forgives everyone for what they have done and learns to become a better person.

Read More

Character Analysis: The Tempest

756 Words | 4 Pages

Prospero played a key role in his own downfall. He, for example, failed to manage his authority. He admits enabling his brother 's treason happened because he gave him a lot of powers and neglected his own duties as the head of state as he concentrates on

Read More

Personal Narrative: My Culture In The Emergency Room

550 Words | 3 Pages

When I think about different cultures, their beliefs in health care my culture and emergency room (er) visits come to mind. This past week I had two er visits with close family members. My granddaughter’s visit which was an ordeal with needles waiting, and the fear of the unknown and what is to come. Then the next day my mother fell her face a bloody mess. Same thing needles testing, and waiting.

Read More

The Role Of Miranda In The Tempest

734 Words | 3 Pages

In this perfect world that Miranda lives in, created by her father, she does not know pain or suffering. So when she learns of the storm that Prospero creates to harm those on the ship, she instantly expresses mortification: “O, I have suffered / With those that I saw suffer!” (1.2.5-6). Miranda’s lifestyle does not allow her to feel much pain, so when she sees others suffer, she feels their pain. Prospero also keeps much of his personal life away from Miranda.

Read More

The Tempest Forgiveness Essay

881 Words | 4 Pages

The Tempest can be seen as a play about reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercy. However, while it is clear that the theme of forgiveness is at the heart of the drama, it is unclear to what extent mercy is given. An examination of Caliban and Ariel and their representations of Prospero’s struggle illustrates that there is little, if any, true forgiveness and reconciliation in The Tempest. Prospero’s actions from the beginning of the play seem to contradict his ultimate aim to forgive those of have wronged him. Prospero seizes the opportunity for revenge with the help of his magic and good fortune.

Read More

Violence In The Tempest

2448 Words | 10 Pages

When we first meet Prospero we are also introduced to his 15 year old daughter Miranda. In Act 1 Scene II we are presented with aspects of violence as Prospero retells his past to Miranda and in doing so he explains how they got to this current situation and how “that situation involves treason and murder” (Nostbakken, 3) In doing so he retells Miranda how “his Brother Antonio persuaded Alonso the king of Naples, to assist him in overthrowing Prospero and taking his dukedom of Milan” (3). It is clear that Prospero, although throughout the play is the one causing the psychological violence, in this case he is the victim. In this scene it is evident that Prospero suffered from both psychological and physical violence bestowed upon him by his brother Antonio.

Read More

Power In The Tempest

1470 Words | 6 Pages

As the play begins, it seems as if the massive tempest is simply a random occurrence, catching the mariners and nobility by chance. However, as the act continues, Shakespeare reveals that the tempest was actually the work of Prospero and his ghostly servant Ariel, who stirred up the seas and set fire to the masts (1.2, 193-194). This establishes Prospero as the executor of a mess of ‘coincidences’ ranging from Ferdinand stumbling upon his daughter Miranda to King Alonso and his party walking directly into the former duke’s cell. Though Prospero may have the same control over the English language as the other characters, Caliban points to his specific source of power. He says, “… for without [his books] /

Read More

Theme Of Power In The Tempest

1624 Words | 7 Pages

The various ways Shakespeare dramatizes and explores power, allows us to obtain a richer impression of the theme of power in The Tempest. Government and authority both carry out important functions in the play. It is the subject of government that initiates the events in the play and it is also the foundation of the progression throughout the play. Prospero is the fundamental piece in the play concerning governance because he used to be the Duke of Milan, but loses his title to his brother Antonio when he devotes too much of his time learning magic rather than ruling his people and seeing his obligations through: “The government I cast upon my brother, [a]nd to my state grew stranger, being transported [a]nd rapt in secret studies,” (p.10). This is also the cause of Prospero and his infant

Read More

The Tempest Character Analysis

1123 Words | 5 Pages

Shakespeare’s The Tempest is often considered fiction and finds content in expressing characteristics of both the main character, Prospero and differences in the power dynamics affecting his characters. Shakespeare often uses groups of characters to emphasize the complexity of their surroundings and effects on their behavior. The overall repetition of complications faced or caused in relation to Prospero and play an enormous role in the plot, helping to develop both the his feelings and the emotional ties of others regarding him. Shakespeare also varies the diction to place emphasis on the power dynamic and relationships observed between thespians.

Read More

More about The Tempest Vs. An Enemy Of The People

Related Topics

Open Document