In William Shakespeare's final play, “The Tempest,” the playwright weaves a magical web of a story that, while comical and lighthearted, subtly addresses the questions of absolutism, power and monarchy. The main character of "The Tempest" is a man named Prospero. Former Duke of Milan but exiled to a desert island by his pernicious brother, Prospero uses his magical powers to exert control over his island and anyone who comes across it. Although the play itself is a comedy, the character of Prospero could easily be read as a direct representation of Shakespeare's opinion of the rulers of his time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As the play begins, the audience witnesses a terrible storm (a tempest) that threatens to sink the ship of the king of Naples, Alfonso. Also on board this ship are the king's brother, Sebastian, his son, Ferdinand, and Antonio, duke of Milan and brother of Prospero. Although the sailors fight valiantly, the ship is sunk and it appears that no one on board survived the accident. The second act opens with the character of Prospero, standing on a beach with his daughter Miranda, watching the sight of the sinking ship. . Miranda is greatly troubled by the sinking of the ship and declares, "If by thy art, dearest father, thou hast / Put the wild waters into this roar, calm them." (1.2.1-2). With this passage the audience becomes aware of Prospero's magical powers for the first time. Using his magic, Prospero caused the storm that caused the shipwreck of the king of Naples, but he assures Miranda that in his magic art he has "ordered so sure that there is no soul - / No, not so much perdition like a hair, / Betid for any creature in the vessel. (1.2.36-38) At this point it becomes apparent that Prospero does not wish to kill the people on board the ship, but he clearly has some reason to cause the storm he knew it would. wreck the ship on his island. Also noteworthy in this scene is how Prospero has almost complete control over Miranda. Although she is Prospero's daughter, Miranda is also his subject on the island, and her role as subordination is significant in the illustration of Prospero as ruler. After recovering from the shock of the sunken ship, Miranda asks her father how it happened was that they were exiled to their desert island daughter who have passed "Twelve years, Miranda, twelve years since, / Your father was the Duke of Milan and / A prince of power." (1.2.66-68). Prospero then goes on to describe how exactly he and his daughter arrived on the island: Prospero the first duke, being so reputed for dignity and liberal arts, without parallel. These are all my studies, the government I entrusted to my brother and my state has become foreign, transported and kidnapped in secret studies. (1.2.90-95) The audience learns that as Prospero immersed himself in his studies of magic, his dukedom was gradually usurped by his brother Antonio. With this passage, Shakespeare first begins to emphasize the belief that if one wants to be involved in public leadership, one must sacrifice some of the goals of private life. “I, thus neglecting worldly ends,” Prospero declares, “wholly devoted / To the nearness and improvement of my mind… in my false brother / Have awakened an evil nature.” (1.2.109-110, 112-113). Prospero continues to explain that after Antonio replaced him in his position of power, "he dragged us [Prospero and Miranda] aboard a boat" and "wetook some leagues out to sea." (1.2.172-173). Miranda is shocked to hear these stories, but Prospero tells her not to be alarmed, because “By accident the strangest, most generous Fortune, / Now my dear lady, has the my enemies / Take you to this shore” (1.2.213-215). With this rather disturbing message, it is clear that Prospero intends to do some harm to his enemies while they are on his island, and after delivering this foreboding message, he invites Miranda to fall asleep, and tells her that her drowsiness is a "good dullness" and she "can't choose" to stay awake. It should be noted at this point that although Prospero has been the ruler of the island for twelve years, his only subjects are Miranda, a spirit called Ariel, and a conniving, beast-like man called Caliban. . After Miranda is put into an enchanted sleep, the audience learns that Prospero has commanded the spirit Ariel to ravage King Alfonso's ship. Ariel assures Prospero, as Prospero had assured Miranda, that on the ship "not a hair died, / on their garments not a blemish, / but fresher than before." (1.2.258-9). Ariel then goes on to explain that he dispersed Alfonso and his troops on the island and left the king's son, Ferdinand, alone on another part of the beach. Upon hearing this news, Prospero congratulates Ariel on a job well done. done and promises the spirit that he will release it after their work is completed. Prospero then wakes Miranda and offers her to go with him and visit Caliban, the man-beast who also lives on the island. Although Caliban is a rude bastard, his role in the play is very significant as he is Prospero's main subject on the island. Prospero addresses Caliban, telling him, “Thou poisonous slave, taken by the devil himself / Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!” (1.2.383-4).As Prospero and Miranda converse with Caliban, it becomes apparent that Caliban's mother was a witch who initially lived on the island, but was forced away by Prospero's magic. Prospero and Miranda took pity on Caliban and went so far as to try to educate him ("I have endowed your purposes with misfortunes that made them known"), but Caliban could only return their kindness with the wickedness of attempting to rape Miranda. As a result, Caliban is forced to live in slavery and abuse, but always obeys Prospero, for, as Caliban says, "His art is of such power / It would control my mother's god, Setebus, / And make him a vassal" . .” (1.2.448-450). In this scene it becomes quite evident that Prospero has no power (or at least not as much power) when he is not using his magic and sorcery. With this evidence, perhaps Shakespeare suggests that some people are simply better off when left alone with their own private efforts, and should not seek to assume positions of power. Although Caliban attempted to rape Miranda, one must take into account the fact that he is uncivilized and ignorant and, moreover, raised by a witch. Seen in this light, one might almost pity Caliban and believe that Prospero is too malevolent a leader. As the play continues, it becomes apparent that Prospero is plotting to make Miranda fall in love with Ferdinand, Prince of Naples. With Ariel's help, her plan works and Ferdinand and Miranda get engaged on the island. To celebrate the engagement, Prospero orders Ariel to perform a masque with other spirits of the island. As the three humans observe the spectacle, Prospero delivers a monologue that touches on the temporality of life, but which could also be read as a manifesto on leadership. It is perhaps this passage that most forcefully demonstrates Shakespeare's view on the fickle nature of leadership. Our holidays are now over. These actors of ours, as I predicted to you, were all spirits and they all are.