Knowledge As Power in The Tempest Essay - 1198 Words

This essay deals with the figure of Prospero as master of Shakespeares â€Å"The Tempest†, illustrating his power in all its expressions and explaining how it is based on knowledge. The first paragraph explains the context in which Prosperos power arises through the play and introduces his background and other main characters. In the second paragraph I discuss the relationship between Prospero and Caliban, a creature found in the island and submitted by the protagonist that attempts to civilize him. The third paragraph is about Miranda, Prosperos daughter. She grew up only with her father after the shipwreck, so he is the only example she can follow and he decides everything for her. In the forth paragraph I analyze two different levels of†¦show more content†¦The man learns the art of magic and with the help of Ariel, a spirit found imprisoned inside a log in the island, originates a tempest while a ship is crossing his sea. Prospero starts impressing the reader with his power, lets him know that he can dominate the nature effortless. It must be pointed out that actually Ariel is not helping Prospero because he feels like: he is subjugated at his service. The island had two previous inhabitants, that ended up under the Dukes control when he decided to colonize the new territory and to make himself the leader. Ariel and Caliban, as the other creature is named, are totally submitted, enslaved to the colonizer. Calibans submission deserves his own chapter. Caliban is the son of Sycorax, a witch that previously lived in the island due to her exile. The creature claims the possession of his territory sustaining to have inherited it from his mother, but Prospero does not really see things from the same point of view. The man does not put himself on the same level as Caliban, he takes for granted his superiority. He is fully convinced that it is his duty to educate that ignorant creature and to learn him his language because of his being nothing more than a savage: â€Å"[†¦] I pitied thee, / Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour / One thing or other: when thou didst not, savage, / Know thine own meaning, but wouldstShow MoreRelatedEssay about More Than Meets The Eye1643 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout history, individuals have notoriously been subject to higher powers.   This form of ownership of an individual exemplifies itself in slavery, indentured servitude, and even in the governmental systems that hold reign over the general population.   The ability of one person to rule over another arises from both moral and physical inequalities.   Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent Genevan philosopher, attempts to uncover the origin of inequality.   In The Second Discourse, Rousseau systematicallyRead MoreEssay Comparing The Tempest and King Lear1338 Words   |  6 PagesComparing The Tempest and King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚   This essay will focus on the similarities and differences of the plays The Tempest and King Lear in general, as well as looking at comparisons of Prospero and Lear in somewhat more detail. 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