William Shakespeare’s last play, “The Tempest,” is a light-hearted comedy that subtly tackles the issue of monarchy and absolute power. The main character is Prospero. Prospero used his magical powers to take control of the island he was forced to live on by his evil, perverse brother. Prospero, while a comic character in the play, could be interpreted as Shakespeare’s view on the ruling classes of the time.

At the beginning, the audience sees a horrible storm (a typhoon) which threatens to destroy the ship belonging to King Alfonso of Naples. On the ship with Alfonso are also Sebastian, Ferdinand’s son, and Antonio. Duke of Milan. Even though the sailors fight valiantly, it seems that the ship has sunk.

Miranda and Prospero are standing on a sandy beach, with Prospero watching the ship sink. Miranda is distressed by the sinking vessel and says: “If you, dearest Father, have put the wild waters into this roar / Allay them.” This passage is the first time that the audience learns about Prospero’s magic. Prospero is credited with causing the storm to cause the ship of the King Of Naples to capsize. Miranda assures him that, through his magic, “there’s no soul in this vessel – No, there’s not even an iota of perdition.” (1.2.36-38). Prospero has no intention of killing the crew, but his motive is clear. He knew that the storm would bring the ship crashing onto his island. This scene also shows how Prospero is in almost total control of Miranda. Miranda, though Prospero’s daughter, is also his subordinate on the island. Her role as a subject is important in illustrating Prospero’s rulership.

Miranda, still reeling from the horror of seeing her ship sink, asks about how they were exiled to their island. Prospero tells Miranda it’s been 12 years since her father was Duke Milan and/a prince of Power. (1.2.66-68) He then explains their exile to his daughter. Prospero explains how he, his daughter and their exile came about:

Prospero The Prime Duke, Being So Reputable

For the Liberal Arts and dignity

There is no parallel. These being the only subjects I studied.

My brother, I have cast the government upon you

Being transported made me feel stranger

Secret studies captivated me.

(1.2.90-95)

While Prospero was immersed in magic, Antonio, his brother, gradually usurped his dukeship. Shakespeare begins his argument that in order to become a leader, you must sacrifice certain goals from your private life. Prospero states that he has “neglected worldly goals” and is “dedicated / to closeness, and the betterment of my intellect…in my false Brother / I awakened an evil nature.” (12.2.109-110, 112-113). Prospero continues by explaining that Antonio replaced him as the leader of the company and “hurried Prospero and Miranda aboard a skiff” and “bored us some leagues out to sea.” (1.2.172-173).

Miranda is horrified by the stories. Prospero assures Miranda that they are not true, and that “By a strange accident, a bountiful Fortune has brought my enemies here.” (1.2.213-215). Prospero is clearly threatening his enemies with this ominous warning. Miranda is shocked to hear these stories, but Prospero tells her not to be alarmed, as “By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, / Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies / Brought to this shore.” (1.2.213-215).

This is when it becomes clear that Prospero, who has been ruling the island of Ibiza for 12 years now, only has Miranda as his subject, along with a spirit called Ariel and a vicious, beastlike man, Caliban. The audience is shocked to discover that Prospero commanded the spirit Ariel in order to wreck King Alfonso’s vessel after Miranda was put under a hypnotic sleep. Ariel tells Prospero that, just as Prospero told Miranda, there was “not a single hair lost,/ No blemish on their clothing,/ And they were fresher than ever before” (1.2.258-9). Ariel explains to Prospero that Alfonso, his troops, and the King’s Son, Ferdinand are scattered around the island.

Prospero is pleased to hear this and congratulates Ariel. He promises that the spirit will be freed once they are done. Miranda is woken and Prospero asks Miranda to join him in visiting Caliban. This beast-man lives on the same island. Caliban, a mongrel who is uncouth and unkempt, is Prospero’s main subject on the Island. Prospero calls Caliban “Thou poisonous servant, got by devil himself/Upon thy wickeddam, come forth!” (1.2.383-4).

Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban begin to reveal that Caliban’s mom was a woman who originally lived on the island. However, Prospero’s spell forced her out. Caliban’s mother was a witch who lived on the island before Prospero brought her out. Miranda and Prospero tried to teach him, but Caliban only returned their kindness by raping Miranda. Caliban has to endure enslavement, abuse and rape, but always obeys Prospero.

This scene makes it clear that Prospero is not powerful (or not nearly as powerful) when he doesn’t use his wizardry and magic. Shakespeare may be suggesting that certain people should stay out of the spotlight and focus on their own private pursuits. Caliban raped Miranda, but one must remember that he has no education, is uneducated, was raised by an evil witch, and is therefore uncivilized. From this perspective, it’s easy to sympathize with Caliban. Prospero seems like a bad leader.

It becomes obvious as the play goes on that Prospero has a plan to get Miranda to fall for Ferdinand, Prince Of Naples. Ariel is able to help him make his plan successful, and Ferdinand, Miranda, and the Prince of Naples become engaged.

Prospero tells Ariel that he will perform a masque along with the other spirits on the island to celebrate their engagement. Prospero’s monologue, delivered as the three humans watch the performance, touches on the temporality and leadership of life. This passage is the one that most clearly demonstrates Shakespeare’s view on leadership.

Now, our revels have ended. Our actors are now finished.

All spirits were as I told you.

The air is all that remains;

This vision is as baseless as the fabric that it’s made of.

The palaces and towers with their cloud-capped peaks are stunning.

The mighty globe, the temples that are a symbol of awe.

All that it inherits will dissolve.

Like this insignificant pageant, it faded.

Please do not leave any racks behind. We are that stuff

As dreams come true.

(4.1.165-174).

Prospero’s views on leadership, life, and power are revealed in this passage. Prospero refers to “revels”, which are clearly the celebration of the engagement, but could also be referring to his revels in wizardry and magic: he’s had fun, but to become Duke of Milan once again, he will have to sacrifice his idle pleasures. Prospero calls it a “vision,” with “clouded towers” surrounded by “gorgeous” palaces. He tells Ferdinand: “We make dreams come true.”

Prospero takes Caliban’s responsibility, returns his dukeship and gives up all his magic at the play’s end. Prospero’s release of Ariel acknowledges the end of his rule over the island and the fact that he has no power over the magical and spiritual beings on that island. Prospero shows his maturity by taking responsibility for Caliban. He is willing to lead and accept the consequences.

Shakespeare is saying that an effective ruler can’t indulge in personal pleasures. Prospero was a curious man who wanted to know more about magic, and this curiosity led him to lose his dukedom. Prospero, in the epilogue, admits to his weakness. “Now that my charms were all overthrown,/ I only have what is mine./ That’s the most faint strength.”

Shakespeare’s last masterpiece is well worth a close look. Shakespeare’s final masterpiece is not only a work that is full of comedy and fantasy, but it also has a message that is relevant to today’s politics.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.