Shakespeares Theme of Power in Act 1 Essays

Shakespeares Theme of Power in Act 1 Essays Shakespeares Theme of Power in Act 1 Essay Shakespeares Theme of Power in Act 1 Essay There have been suspicions of Shakespeares last play written in 1612, named: Cardenio- a lost play. However the play we know today as the last written in 1611 is The Tempest.Shakespeares main focus was the Theme of Power in The Tempest. Throughout the play the audience encounters power possessed by different characters enabling them to force another character in particular, against their own will. An example of this was the usurpation of Prosperos Dukedom, forced by the King Alonso and his accomplice Antonio. Although Prospero demonstrated his wizardry as an element of power to cause the shipwreck in the opening scene, it had evoked the audiences anticipated responses especially the colonisation of the island.Power is a symbol of competence substantially used to combat against usurpation. It is also expressed through language to convey the feelings of a character. Boatswain defied his noble; challenging his authority and against the inevitable power of nature: Blow till thou burst th y wind. His use of power was selfish as well to disrespect the King; a lack of patriotism. Atmospheric power manifests the scenery of the shipwreck as a dramatic technique to reinforce the audience responses of a vicious storm; hence the link to the title The Tempest.The writer immediately establishes a connection between the Tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning and the tone of language proposed by the characters. Pathetic fallacy arouses our interest of the anger conveyed during the storm to emphasise emotions: A pox o your throat- Sebastian challenges Boatswains power. The effect could be further emphasised if the stage is directed to have a sound of roaring thunder at the instant because it mimics anger.Perhaps the most interesting theme of Power in the first Act is Prosperos discussion about the betrayal of his brother Antonio who usurped his Dukedom. Prospero has used detailed descriptions of Antonio the produce a powerful impression of evil conveyed as Miranda listens. A ntonio is portrayed as a false uncle, this trickery reinforces the betrayal that usurped Prospero. In contrast to his hate for his brother, there is evidence of power of love to his brother: Of all the world I loved- this highlights the betrayal because it deals with the relationship of trust with Antonio and how contradicting it was to be usurped. A use of a metaphor compares Antonio to the image of an ivy- and the actions expressed: sucked my verdure out ont- this portrays Antonio as a living parasite on Prospero. These images help us understand how full of hatred Prospero is towards Antonios treachery. In certain verses Prospero ensures that Miranda is listening: Dost thou attend me?- the audience understands that Prospero could be losing his temper when his daughter is not paying attention; it also denotes that Prospero is consumed by the hate he feels for Antonios betrayal, this is an obsession from him to discuss the betrayal in great detail to Miranda.Prospero describes how t hirsty Antonio was for power: So dry he was for sway.- his downfall of Dukedom aroused his brothers interest: Hence his ambition growing. We understand that hunger for power has tempted the conspiracy of usurpation along with Antonios accomplice Alonso to overthrow Prospero. We learn that Antonio has no sense of guilt for overthrowing Prospero. This underlines the power of manipulation, as he would kill Alonso so that Sebastien will become king. Antonio continually uses metaphors to express his lack of conscience: If twere a kybe Twould put me to my slipper; if he had felt pain, he would not have felt God in his heart. The uses of metaphors inspire his malicious plans for power which is thoroughly conveyed through his determination.Shakespeare also intended to portray power in Prospero through the use of the character Ariel who is his slave. The words Ariel chooses to present himself to Prospero underlines the hierarchy of importance: All hail, great master. Ariel also treats Prospe ro with respect and does not curse him in contrast to Caliban. To thy strong bidding task Ariel- he respects his authority and accepts Prosperos commands. But Ariel intends to be released from Prospero and reminds him of his good deeds: Remember I have done thee worthy service- Ariels ambition is his freedom and not ruled by a master of power. This impression draws our intention to usurpation with a direct comparison with Caliban.There is also power of manipulation when Ariel had sent the King and his nobles to sleep. Since Antonio and Sebastian were convinced to kill the King for Sebastian to claim the throne, Ariel had woken the sleepers in time before the danger of the assassination. In this scene we also see the enduring power of Antonios malicious plans despite Alonso was his accomplice to overthrow Prospero.Caliban claims Prospero had usurped him. Despite his powerlessness he chants a false cursing on him: A south-west blow on ye. His false power engages the readers interest o f Calibans anger over Prospero. Miranda also mimics Prosperos power: Abhorred slave, perhaps she is following her fathers footsteps of sorcery. She uses words to give images of violence: savage and vile race- it helps us understand the hideous and violent nature Caliban has. Caliban has such physical strength of power but is incompetent against Prosperos wizardry: I must obey; his art is of such power.Caliban again had made a cursing of Prospero re-iterating his demonstration of his false power. He accuses that even minor offences are tormented against him, which perhaps is an infringement of his dignity: For every trifle are they set upon me. We are reminded of Calibans powerlessness when he fears that Trinculo may be a spirit from Prospero. On the other contrast, Trinculo hides under the cloak of Caliban who fears the power of the weather: neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather. It was a deep belief that Gods mood was portrayed by the weather that threatens Trinculo.We gai n insight to the power of love between Ferdinand and Miranda, when they first meet each other. Miranda believes Ferdinand is a spirit- she is admiring Ferdinands beauty and is enthralled. She falls in love for the first time with a stranger; perhaps Shakespeare intended to use a power of love not as a weakness but strength to bind two characters together which is an everlasting relationship that influences the play.Shakespeare explores power when Prospero accuses Ferdinand of usurping him: Thou dost here usurp. Prospero describes Ferdinand as a spy which explains the significance of power used for evil purposes to overthrow him. He also persuades Miranda hes a traitor- creates the impression of betrayal imitating Antonio and Alonso as his accomplice. As Prospero knows Ferdinand is the son of the King, he would believe he is following his fathers steps and so have an identical mind to usurp. Ferdinand believes the King is dead and so he is now King, Prospero cannot allow his power to take control of him. On the other hand Miranda sees Ferdinand in a different perspective- his handsomeness reflects his innocent character. She is therefore bewildered: Why speaks my father so ungently? Shakespeare has indicated that Ferdinand has the desire to love Miranda by his warm compliments to her: Ill make you The Queen of Naples.Prosperos wizardry to stop Ferdinand from moving is a demonstration of his power. Mirandas fear of Ferdinand is portrayed through her words: Make not too rash a trial of him- it illustrates how Prosperos power can be terrifying and tragic for Miranda with a direct link to the beginning scene of her sorrow for the sailors in the shipwreck. Prospero indeed has power over his daughter Miranda: Silence!- there is no questioning that Miranda must obey her father. Furthermore, Prospero could possibly be taking far too much power to control his daughter. He had used his wizardry to make her sleep before the appearance of Ariel- possibly Shakespeare wanted to convey Prosperos impatience.There is Power of Love when Miranda reassures Ferdinand to console him of the incident. Be of comfort- we understand that Miranda cares for Ferdinand. However the Love between the two characters deepens and they both declare love for each other. Perhaps this Power of Love is a microcosm between foreign settlers and Europeans that have a bonding relationship in the 17th Century. Shakespeare particularly intended to portray this power of love that establishes a connection in the culture of our society today. On the other hand Prospero doubts this love between the two: Poor worm, thou art infected. This depiction of love is seen as a disease in Prosperos eyes as if Miranda had caught it. Possibly Prospero had called Miranda a worm to express her vulnerability and the powerless nature of her that Prospero so much controlled her.Shakespeares intention of alcohol used to pollute the minds of consumers is conveyed through Stephano who first introduces it in the play. Perhaps this scene is intended to portray a microcosm of the wide spreading of alcohol in Europe. Alcohol is an addiction to Stephano: but heres my comfort. Stephano tempts Caliban to drink the alcohol as well which poisons his mind into drunkenness. There is a handling of power from Stephano as Caliban intends to become his slave, since he believes that he is a God. Perhaps this is an interpretation of slaves being exchanged for worthy masters that Shakespeare wanted to send a message to. This mimics Calibans loyalty and trust to Prospero when they first met, that Caliban was honest and loyal to him as a servant. However Trinculo denies this power from Stephano : A most ridiculous monster, to make wonder of a poor drunkard.