Themes (The Tempest)

This section explores the key themes in the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare. The Tempest is set on a remote island and centres around the themes of magic, power, revenge, and forgiveness. It tells the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who has been exiled to the island with his daughter, Miranda, and uses his magical powers to control events around him. The play explores complex relationships between the characters and raises questions about justice, colonisation, and the natural world.

Key Themes

Power and Control

Power dynamics are central to The Tempest, as many of the characters are involved in struggles to gain or maintain control. Prospero, who was overthrown by his brother Antonio, uses his magical abilities to manipulate others on the island, asserting his dominance over both human and supernatural beings.

Prospero’s power: His control over Ariel, a spirit, and Caliban, a native of the island, demonstrates different forms of authority. Ariel serves him out of a promise of eventual freedom, while Caliban resents being enslaved.

Political power: The usurpation of Prospero by Antonio and the attempted coup by Sebastian against King Alonso highlight the corrupting influence of political ambition and power.

Colonisation and the "Other"

Shakespeare’s portrayal of the relationship between Prospero and Caliban can be interpreted as a reflection of European colonial attitudes towards indigenous peoples during the period of exploration.

Caliban: He represents the colonised subject, whose land has been taken over by Prospero. His treatment by Prospero mirrors the way colonisers often viewed and treated native populations as inferior and savage.

Language and subjugation: Caliban's resentment towards Prospero partly stems from being taught his language, symbolising the imposition of European culture on the colonised.

This theme encourages discussion about The Tempest as an early commentary on the issues of colonisation and imperialism, raising questions about exploitation and the dehumanisation of others.

Magic and the Supernatural

The presence of magic is a key feature of The Tempest. It is the source of Prospero’s power and central to the plot, but it also represents both creativity and control.

Prospero’s magic: His control over the supernatural forces (through his books and staff) gives him authority on the island, but he ultimately renounces it, which can be seen as a comment on the limits of human power.

Ariel: As a spirit, Ariel embodies the magical and ethereal aspects of the island. He is bound to Prospero through a debt of service, but longs for his freedom, raising the question of whether magic is liberating or enslaving.

Magic in The Tempest is closely linked to illusion and manipulation, and Shakespeare invites the audience to consider whether it can be used ethically or whether it is inherently corrupting.

Revenge and Forgiveness

The theme of revenge versus forgiveness is central to Prospero’s character arc and the resolution of the play.

Prospero’s desire for revenge: Initially, Prospero is driven by a desire to punish his brother Antonio and those who wronged him. The shipwreck that begins the play is part of his plan to bring his enemies to the island.

Forgiveness: By the end of the play, Prospero chooses to forgive his enemies rather than seek revenge. His decision to break his staff and drown his books symbolises his rejection of vengeance and his acceptance of reconciliation and peace.

This theme suggests that forgiveness is ultimately more powerful than revenge, and it is central to the play’s exploration of human nature and morality.

Freedom and Imprisonment

Freedom and imprisonment take on both literal and metaphorical meanings throughout The Tempest, as several characters are either physically or emotionally confined.

Prospero’s control: Both Ariel and Caliban are subject to Prospero’s control, and both express a desire for freedom, though their servitude is portrayed differently. Ariel serves willingly with the promise of release, while Caliban views himself as a prisoner in his own home.

Miranda’s isolation: Although not physically imprisoned, Miranda has lived her entire life on the island, cut off from society. Her encounter with Ferdinand represents her first step towards freedom and independence.

Resolution: At the end of the play, many characters achieve a form of freedom—Ariel is released, Caliban is left to rule his island, and Prospero returns to Milan, relinquishing his control over the island and magic.

This theme questions what true freedom means and who holds the power to grant or withhold it.

Illusion and Reality

The distinction between illusion and reality is frequently blurred in The Tempest, with Prospero’s magic and the setting itself contributing to a dreamlike atmosphere.

The masque: In Act IV, Prospero stages a masque, a theatrical entertainment, which is itself an illusion within the play. This draws attention to the artifice of the theatre and the play as a whole.

Shakespeare’s meta-theatrical commentary: The play ends with Prospero’s famous epilogue, in which he directly addresses the audience and asks for applause, acknowledging the theatricality of the events they have witnessed. This self-awareness of the play as a piece of art encourages the audience to reflect on the nature of performance and reality.

To Sum Up

The Tempest is a rich and complex play that touches on themes of power, colonisation, magic, and forgiveness. Its exploration of the human desire for control and the struggle for freedom provides fertile ground for analysis and interpretation. Shakespeare’s play also raises timeless questions about the nature of justice, authority, and the possibility of redemption. Understanding these key themes is essential to appreciating the play’s depth and its continued relevance in modern discussions of politics, identity, and morality.