The Tempest

The main issue in The Tempest is how Prospero can right the wrongs committed against him and return to his rightful place as ruler of the city of Milan. Prospero is a mighty sorcerer whose scheme controls the fate of those who betrayed him. His purpose, however, isn’t revenge but redemption: He wants his betrayers to feel remorse, ask forgiveness, and reinstate him as Milan’s duke. His plan is sophisticated and high minded; for the most part, it succeeds.

While Duke of Milan, Prospero left the city’s administration to Antonio and retreated to his study to master the magic arts. Antonio grew ambitious and plotted with Alonso to overthrow Prospero, cast him out to sea, and install Antonio as Milan’s duke. Prospero and Miranda were spared death through the kindness of Alonso’s counselor Gonzalo, and their ship landed on a faraway island, where they survived for 12 years. Prospero seethes and plots throughout his period of exile.

When Alonso’s ship containing Antonio and others sails past, Prospero seizes the chance to change events: He uses his powers and those of the magical sprite Ariel to cause a storm that forces the ship to come to the island and deposit its passengers into Prospero’s hands. They have virtually no chance to slip out of Prospero’s magical grip; his power over them is nearly total. He can crush them, ruin them, and do anything else he pleases with them.

Instead, he arranges events so that Alonso’s son falls in love with Miranda and asks for her hand in marriage. This will create a deep climate of peace between Alonso’s Naples and, when he regains his throne, Prospero’s Milan.

He then creates a series of magical events that lead the betrayers to realize that they have committed a grievous wrong and must seek redemption. King Alonso thus immediately repudiates his agreement with Antonio, and Prospero is reinstated as duke, which redeems his exile from his rightful office. His plan complete, Prospero surprises everyone by forgiving his enemies. The scheme calls for redemption, not retribution.

Prospero also acknowledges his own abuses against Ariel, promising his freedom and frequently pausing to compliment Ariel on his excellent service. Prospero does free Ariel and, when he abandons the island, effectively turns it over to its rightful rulers, Ariel and Caliban. Prospero thus redeems himself.

Only one of the players cannot be redeemed. Antonio schemes with Sebastian to overthrow Sebastian’s brother, King Alonso, which proves that Antonio’s essential nature is evil and therefore he cannot be saved. Knowing this, Prospero arranges to blackmail the usurper by forcing Antonio’s consent to step down, lest Alonso learn of his conspiracy against the king. Despite all this, Prospero finds it in his heart to forgive his brother.

Prospero’s plan works nearly to perfection, as he uses godlike powers not to punish but to redeem. His magic having served its purpose, he discards those powers and returns to his proper place as Duke of Milan.