to say. Together, these texts impact readers with their thoroughness on the significance of forgiveness and the major reasons as to why it exists. The first is empathy, best represented in Prospero and his brother’s relationship, the next is remorse, as presented by the King towards Prospero, and lastly, nature, which concerns Prospero’s slave. The greatest influencer to forgive is empathy, as, in a sense, it provides justification for the suffered pain. In Prospero’s situation, he feels empathy for perhaps the most unexpected individual involved in his struggles: his brother, Antonio. At one time, Prospero was contently the Duke of Milan, with Antonio taking upon his duties, while he pursued his interest in literature. However, unaware to Prospero, Antonio exposed this truth and had him shipped away. Strangely, upon reunion, Prospero decides to forgive Antonio when he says, “for you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother would even infect my mouth, I do forgive,” (V. i. 130-131). Prospero feels upset; yet, in spite of his mistreatment, he forgives, possibly realizing that his brother’s actions are not entirely condemnable. Any individual can commit sin, especially when anger or a yearning for power motivates them.
Desmond Tutu supports this idea of empathy by recounting the painful experience of witnessing his father abuse his mother. He feels irritation in remembering this event, but considering his father’s situation, he asks himself, “If I traded lives with my father . . . would I have behaved as he did?” (Tutu). This reflection allows him to forgive his father. To conclude, forgiveness is the result of empathy in both situations, which is achieved through calmness and the containment of emotions; contrarily, an emotional state is required to attend remorse. To forgive is less challenging when there is remorse, as, satisfyingly for the forgiver, it is longed for. The King of Naples, Alonso, substantially supported Antonio in his attempt to overthrow Prospero, for who he had much dislike. However, due to his involvement, he later feels guilt and desperately seeks forgiveness, as shown when he says, “The dukedom I resign, and do entreat thou pardon my wrongs” (V. i. 118-119). Seeing this remorse, Prospero is willing to forgive Alonso, as he does while embracing him, for the reason that he has been “paid back in some way” (Tutu). In truth, Alonso is a respectable individual, as Prospero understands when he observes him grieve over his sins and the loss of his son, that was,
simply, misguided. According to Desmond Tutu, who expands on this idea, in certain circumstances, no matter how much goodness one possesses, there is always the possibility of error. While the error cannot be forgotten, it can surely be corrected, as Alonso had done, to be deserving of forgiveness and “make sure the harm never happens again” (Tutu). However, in situations where one constantly misbehaves, it is because it is in their nature to do so, and they cannot be changed.
The unchangeable reality of nature leads to the avoidance of anger and the willingness to move forward. Midway into his article, Desmond Tutu discusses the difficulties of parenting, claiming that, often, his sleep was disturbed as his infants “squalled” (Tutu). However, although he felt anger, he was able to forgive each time, realizing that it was natural for his infants to behave in such a manner. This forgiveness is clear when he writes, “the irritation . . . gave way to the simple acknowledgement that this way a baby. This is what babies do” (Tutu). Comparably, Prospero’s understanding on nature is what causes him to forgive his slave, Caliban, in spite of the latter’s attempt at raping his daughter. Before this forgiveness, Prospero reflects, “A devil, a born devil, on whose nature nurture can never stick” (IV. i. 188-189). This understanding leads him to realize that it is in Caliban’s nature to behave as he did. Therefore, in situations such as this, a punishment or acquirement of revenge is futile, while forgiveness, at the least, aids in achieving personal satisfaction. In their works, Shakespeare and Desmond Tutu have presented the naturalness of forgiveness in a subtle, yet redefining manner. With precision, they analyze and comprehend this deceivingly complex phenomenon, and communicate their understandings with dialogue, situations and experiences that reach the reader at a personal level. Evidently, for Prospero to forgive in spite of his mistreatment and Desmond Tutu to indirectly claiming that all sins are forgivable, are extreme and, certainly, debatable ideas. Nonetheless, they strengthen the intended message, and do so while providing the very relatable and comprehensible reasons of empathy, remorse and nature. Indeed, forgiveness is so powerful that it is able to overtake any level of hatred, regardless of the situation.