Prospero Constructs the Tempest Hierarchy and Returns Affairs to a "Natural" State

The Tempest raises many questions regarding the formation of authority and power. Is hierarchy understood as natural or as constructed? Also, what are the consequences when authority is usurped? This paper will attempt to answer these questions in a succinct manner using textual references to solidify its arguments. As the play progresses, Prospero constructs the hierarchy in such a way as to return things to their "natural" state. Any type of usurpation, whether attempted or successful, will always end up with power back in its rightful place, and most of the time with a lesson learned. The events that take place in the play are all made possible by the original usurpation against Prospero, the right Duke of Milan by Antonio, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan. The usurpation itself is made possible initially because Prospero has become increasingly more spellbound by his library of books, the same books which he later uses to exact his revenge. This is to say that not only are these books primarily the sole cause of Prospero's loss of power, but they are also entirely responsible for Prospero's dukedom being reinstated, because the magic they grant him gave him the power to do just that. This is one example of how power will always end up back in its rightful place. In regards to the usurpation, Antonio (in league with Alonso) decides to overthrow Prospero's dukedom. In exchange for Antonio's homage and tribute, the king levied an army, removed Prospero from his rightful position as duke and replaced him with Antonio, the new Duke of Milan. The play's view of the natural order was based on the hierarchy of all beings and things. According to this view, when the hierarchy was destroyed, disorder and chaos reigned. All would go well as long as individuals in families and the larger society knew their place. Antonio's selfish refusal to recognize his particular place in the social and political hierarchy resulted in the overthrow of Prospero's

Cited: Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. New York: Dover, 1999.