How Does Shakespeare Use Illusions In The Tempest

When traveling across dry deserts, travelers frequently encounter what is known as a mirage. They see an oasis with water flowing, as their mouths get dry and crusty as dehydration overcomes them. They run toward their hope of quenching their thirst, only to find a dry desert because their minds and eyes deceived them. This is also known as an illusion. Illusions sometimes provide an optimistic hope for a better future, but generally speaking, they tend to leave people empty and confused as the reality of what they hope for is false. Consider the lottery which so many people place their hopes and dreams in winning and being set for life. The odds of this happening are so small, yet many spend a considerable amount of money each year trying to beat the odds; this is another way illusions negatively affect people. In literature, authors use the theme of chasing and creating illusions as a way to convey the human experience of desperation leading to dependency on false hope. In The Tempest, Shakespeare shows how illusions can be used by one of the main characters, Prospero , to control, expose truths in characters, and predict future events. He uses all of
Prospero, Shakespeare’s main character in The Tempest, uses illusions to control others on an island where he was stranded because of a shipwreck. Prospero seeks revenge for the loss of his land, Milan, Italy. His first illusion is the tempest that sends them to the island where he proceeds to gain and maintain control of all its inhabitants. The island was ruled by Caliban, who is overthrown and enslaved by Prospero. Prospero reveals truths in his characters and manipulates them with these truths. He also uses illusions to predict the future furthering his dominion on this island. Prospero’s use of illusions to control and manipulate others shows how detrimental illusions can be in a