The Tempest Forgiveness
David Zhu
Mr. Reddy
Humanities - A Period
29 February 2016
“Forgiveness is the Attribute of the Strong”
The Sympathy the Reader feels for Prospero Concerning his Capacity to Forgive
Shakespeare’s The Tempest, introduces an isolated island that serves as both a kingdom and “cell” for the ex-Duke Prospero. Prospero wields unlimited power through his knowledge of magic and he orchestrates the events in the play by puppeteering a spirit named Ariel. The Tempest highlights Prospero’s inner conflict with his fall from his status as the Duke of Milan. After granting temporary power to his brother Antonio on his own accord, Prospero relinquishes the influence he had over his people. Antonio, alongside Alonso, the king of Naples, usurps Prospero, …show more content…
As Prospero speaks to Miranda, he says, “my state grew stranger, being transported / And rapt in secret studies”(1.2.76-7). Prospero acknowledges that his own obsession with knowledge caused him to ultimately lose his dukedom. Despite his blaming Antonio, the reader sees that Prospero has trouble understanding the reason for his loss of power: by his brother’s deceit or by his lack of proper conduct. After charming the noblemen from moving and hearing of their pains, Ariel asks Prospero if he felt remorse for his actions, to which Prospero agrees, “And mine shall/… Though with their high wrongs I am struck to th’quick, / Yet, with my nobler reason, ‘gainst my fury / Do I take part. The rarer action is / In virtue, than in vengeance” (5.1.20, 26-8). Prospero’s agreement with Ariel over the suffering of the noblemen serves as a pivotal point in his character arc when he experiences a change in morality. When Prospero says, “the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance,” he conveys the understanding in his newfound pursuit of forgiveness. Prospero’s new of way of thinking suggests his improvement from the start of the story. By the end of the play, Prospero pardons Antonio for taking his dukedom as he says, “For you, most wicked sir, whom to / call brother / Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive / Thy rankest fault, all of them” (5.1. 149-151). Prospero tries his best to forgive his brother, and we can see that Prospero has learned to restrict most of his fury despite his insults. Therefore, Prospero’s change and adherence to virtuous action makes him a sympathetic
Mr. Reddy
Humanities - A Period
29 February 2016
“Forgiveness is the Attribute of the Strong”
The Sympathy the Reader feels for Prospero Concerning his Capacity to Forgive
Shakespeare’s The Tempest, introduces an isolated island that serves as both a kingdom and “cell” for the ex-Duke Prospero. Prospero wields unlimited power through his knowledge of magic and he orchestrates the events in the play by puppeteering a spirit named Ariel. The Tempest highlights Prospero’s inner conflict with his fall from his status as the Duke of Milan. After granting temporary power to his brother Antonio on his own accord, Prospero relinquishes the influence he had over his people. Antonio, alongside Alonso, the king of Naples, usurps Prospero, …show more content…
As Prospero speaks to Miranda, he says, “my state grew stranger, being transported / And rapt in secret studies”(1.2.76-7). Prospero acknowledges that his own obsession with knowledge caused him to ultimately lose his dukedom. Despite his blaming Antonio, the reader sees that Prospero has trouble understanding the reason for his loss of power: by his brother’s deceit or by his lack of proper conduct. After charming the noblemen from moving and hearing of their pains, Ariel asks Prospero if he felt remorse for his actions, to which Prospero agrees, “And mine shall/… Though with their high wrongs I am struck to th’quick, / Yet, with my nobler reason, ‘gainst my fury / Do I take part. The rarer action is / In virtue, than in vengeance” (5.1.20, 26-8). Prospero’s agreement with Ariel over the suffering of the noblemen serves as a pivotal point in his character arc when he experiences a change in morality. When Prospero says, “the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance,” he conveys the understanding in his newfound pursuit of forgiveness. Prospero’s new of way of thinking suggests his improvement from the start of the story. By the end of the play, Prospero pardons Antonio for taking his dukedom as he says, “For you, most wicked sir, whom to / call brother / Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive / Thy rankest fault, all of them” (5.1. 149-151). Prospero tries his best to forgive his brother, and we can see that Prospero has learned to restrict most of his fury despite his insults. Therefore, Prospero’s change and adherence to virtuous action makes him a sympathetic