English Literary essay

Rough draft…
The Tempest, yet another splendid play painted by the one and only William
Shakespeare, outlines the power of relationships quite legibly. Especially the relationship
between former duke of Milan Prospero and brother Antonio. They both mainly portray
themes such as betrayal, insurrection but crucially power. This essay will outline the
many aspects of the nature of power and the desire to obtain it by the two brothers and
unravel their contrasting characters.

Prospero is one of Shakespeare’s more mysterious protagonists. He has no power no

more for he has lost his throne as duke of Milan, betrayed by fellow brother Antonio. Yet
he is a significantly powerful magician and de facto ruler of the island he and his
daughter Miranda have fled to. He is presented as an intelligent, knowledgeable, and
authoritative man. The contrast between Prospero’s story to Miranda about his eviction
from Miranda, and his epilogue highlight Prospero’s discovery characteristics of
forgiveness and compassion. Learning Antonio’s betrayal, Prospero discovers that he
was “dry he was for sway”, and it “awakened” Prospero’s “evil nature”. The “evil nature”
symbolise, his intentions of revenge and “vengeance”, towards his “perfidious” brother.
He plots on using the power of his spirit servant Ariel for his vengeance “I come to
answer thy best pleasure’’. The discovery of being betrayed, changed Prospero’s
perceptions of his brother. Contrastingly, in the epilogue, Prospero asks the audience to
“Let your indulgence set me free” and claims to have “pardoned the deceiver...

Antonio seized all Prospero’s power, he felt that he obtained and deserved the throne.
He was convinced of being better suited for the title. Antonio quickly demonstrates that
he is power-hungry and foolish. In Act II, scene i, he persuades Sebastian to kill the
sleeping Alonso. “whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come in yours and my
discharge’’ His actions against Prospero were not sufficient to satisfy his ambitions, and
now, Antonio convinces Sebastian to also murder his brother. During the final scene of
the play when it seems that all enmity is resolved and all past transgressions are
forgiven, Antonio in noticeably silent, the only world he speak are snide which display his
true character. He downright abused his power.

In conclusion we can distinctly say that Prospero was the rightful duke of Milan Prospero
trusted him to help rule the dukedom of Milan? but Antonio used this trust against his
brother. We also saw the character development from Prospero as he chose to forgive
Antonio, and it was clear that Antonio has no desire to seek his forgiveness even though
it was bestowed upon him. The contrast is unmistakable that Antonio was fooled by
power and Prospero was the prince of power!