Key Themes
Here is a short video from eNotes which explains some of the play's themes:
Disguise/clothing
Prospero and Ariel in the play and a number of other characters also disguise their true selves.
Animals
Common in Shakespeare’s plays, animals are used to describe many characters, particularly Caliban to reflect his earthy nature.
Politics
Dominates all the groups.
Leadership/power
There are many potential leaders in the play, but few good ones.
Magic/books
The key to Prospero’s downfall and his revenge.
Earth, air
Links to Caliban and Ariel, who links to the theme of magic.
Slavery/ imprisonment
Prospero uses Caliban and Ariel as slaves/servants.
Justice/forgiveness
Prospero is mainly responsible for these.
Breakdown of communication in The Tempest
- Between family members
- Prospero and Miranda – Act 1, Scene 2 pg 63
- Antonio and Prospero – Act 1, Scene 2
- Alonso and Sebastian – Act 2, Scene 1 pg 93
- Between other characters
- Miranda and Firdinand – Act 1, Scene 2
- Gonzalo and other characters - Act 2 Scene 1 pg 89
Language as a form of control
Prospero over:
- Miranda – Act 1, Scene 2
- Caliban – Act 1, Scene 2 pg 77
- Ariel – Act 1, Scene 2 pg 74
Caliban over:
- Stephano and Trinculo- Act 3 Scene 2
Ariel over:
- The other characters – Act 3, Scene 3
Communication
- Critics believe that Shakespeare is saying ‘farewell’ to Theatre – shown by character ‘Prospero’
- How natives may not always be Cannibals
- However, Caliban is a natural slave
- Ends in resolution
Colonialism
- Prospero and Miranda travel to a new land, settle there and impose their language and culture on the native people.
- This reflects what happened in the early 17th century when people travelled from Europe to new lands such as America.
- They claimed the territory for themselves and, like Prospero, took over and imposed their own culture and language.
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