Exploring Shakespeares Presentation of the Theme of Power in The Tempe

Exploring Shakespeare's Presentation of the Theme of Power in The Tempest In 'The Tempest', power manifests itself in many different forms. Three of the main types of power that Shakespeare explores are the power of love, the power of magic and illusion and the power of a master over his slave. He presents these forms of power in a number of ways. In 'The Tempest' Prospero appears to hold the majority of the power. He maintains his control over other characters in various ways, for example he uses the power of love to influence his daughter Miranda. Miranda is devoted to her father, and Prospero uses guilt to maintain this. In their first conversation, Prospero?s power over Miranda becomes apparent. She says ?Alack, what trouble/Was I then to you!? and it is clear that because of the guilt she feels, she will be willing to do anything for him. It is evident that Miranda is aware of how powerful Prospero is, as she says ?Had I been any god of power, I would/ Have sunk the sea within the earth?. This indicates that she understands the extent of Prospero?s power, and that if she had possessed the same amount of power, she would use it differently to her father. Prospero is manipulative, appearing self-pitying by saying ?When I have decked the sea with drops full salt/ Under my burthen groaned? but also egotistical, saying, ?Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit/ Than other princesses can? to which Miranda responds ?Heaven thank you for?t!? Although he tries to cause Miranda to feel sympathy towards him in order to keep control of her, he also wants her to admire him. Although he also has power over Miranda usi... ...serves in offices/ That profit us?. Prospero needs Ariel and Caliban in order to have power, and so throughout ?The Tempest?, contrary to our beliefs at the beginning of the play, we begin to see that the main protagonist of power within ?The Tempest? is not, in fact, Prospero. Shakespeare presents many kinds of power in ?The Tempest?. He demonstrates the control that Prospero has over Miranda using love, and also different kinds of power between master and slave. Sometimes the master and slave power is subverted, such as at the beginning of the play, when the boatswain takes control. Shakespeare also presents a change in the balance of Prospero?s power. The main reason Prospero has so much power is due to his magic, however at the end of the play he sacrifices his powers and sets free his slaves, Ariel and Caliban.