It comes as a surprise to see Prospero in the beginning of Act V surrendering his control over the super natural beings on the island. The conversation between Ariel and Prospero at the beginning of this scene is rather touching; Ariel comments on the power of Prospero's conjectures saying “Your charm so strongly works 'em/That if you now beheld them your affections/Would become tender” (17-19). You might expect Prospero upon hearing this comment to punish Ariel or condemn him for saying something so bold. Prospero instead treats Ariel as an equal asking “Dost thou think so, spirit?” (20) who responds by saying “Mine would ,sir, were I human” (21). Prospero then decides “And mine shall” (22). He seems easily swayed by Ariel to end his streak of terror upon the visitors on the island and instead begin to make amends with them for how they have wronged him. This act greatly juxatopes with act IV, where we see Prospero display ultimate control over his daughter and future son in law in addition to Caliban, Trinculo, Stefano, as well as Ariel and the spirits who perform for the young couple then attack the three conniving clowns.
Was this Prospero's intention all along? He does not clearly state to the audience or any of the characters what he ultimately plans to do with the people on the island in the acts prior. I believe he did intend to have some “fun” with the other characters and show off his meticulous control and master of his magical powers. In the beginning of Act V he sees that his "project" has gathered "to a head" (1) and that Ariel has perfectly performed all the tasks that had been commanded of him. He releases Ariel earlier than planned. He forgives his brother for usurping his dukedom and the other characters who helped Antonio in doing so. Prospero gets his dukedom back and is to return to Milan. In the last lines of the epilogue Prospero says “As you from crimes would pardoned be,/Let your indulgence set me free” (19-20). So far this play has been about attaining and exerting control, but the end of the play signifies a different message about power. Prospero gains power by conversely surrendering his power, and the power of forgiveness and kindness has set him free from the confining world of the island.
7 comments:
I enjoyed reading your post! I think that Prospero never had any intentions of hurting anyone due to the fact that he could have killed them all during the shipwreck. I believe his intentions were soley to get back the title that was stolen from him and to make his brother realize his powers and take responsibility for his actions. I agree with your comment about Prospero gaining power by surrendering his powers. He was able to forgive them all for their sins and move forward without harming any of them.
Your post regarding power was quite interesting to read. I too was confused at the end of the play to find if Prospero truly meant any harm to those on the island. If he did relinquish his power at the end in order to prove his power then is it possible that he shows the most power of all? Prospero did have the power to do more but does this mean the most powerful thing for him to do was nothing?
After reading your post I went back and read through the last bit of Act V, and found the conversation between Prosper and Ariel to be quite significant. As you mentioned, it really does seem as though Prospero sees Ariel as an equal in the way he considers Ariel's opinion, as opposed to enforcing his own opinions upon him. I agree, also, that Prospero gains power by releasing his hold over it, and is free of the island when he forgives, but I cannot help but feel uneasy that Prospero, who made life difficult for so many on the island, is so content with himself at the end.
I think it's interesting how you point out that Prospero's power comes from both magic AND language. By the close of act five he gives one up, but not the other. It makes me question which one is more important. Both have lasting effects on the world of the play, and both were effective tools of control. I think language may be the more powerful one, because it is the one Prospero has trouble controlling. Langauge is powerful for him, but it's also powerful for Caliban and Antonio, and it's powerful for the audience, too, because with it we can decipher what it is that Prospero really says and does. Only Prospero wielded (literal) magic, but language is more democratic, even as it constructs Caliban's world-view; and perhaps language itself is a kind of magic. After all, Prospero may use magic to create the Tempest, but Shakespeare uses words to do the same thing.
I liked how you talked about the way in which Prospero used his power to take control. His true goal was probably not to punish anyone but rather take back what was his to start with. What I liked was in the end how Prospero asked for forgivness as if he had done something worse than he truly did.
It is interesting how upon Prospero's initial presence in the play, readers could question the nature of his character. On one hand he's rightful to try to seize back his dukedom and punish Antonio for his betrayal but on the other hand you question whether he will maliciously seek a vengeance and cause unjust harm. Whatever his original intentions were, Prospero retains his nobleness by the end of the play and sets things back in order the proper way as opposed to the maniacal schemes of Richard III or Iago.
It was interesting reading this. I think you bring up an interesting point and something which we may be able to see in other plays as well. How do these characters assert their power? What kind of message is Shakespeare sending? It almost in this instance feels as though he is make a moral statement about what will get you what you want it life. In essence, when you are nice and prove you can do your job then you can have your role as duke back. I think this is a very good point you bring up and something which as readers we should pay more attention to.
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