CQ - The Tempest (Acts III to V)

The Tempest by William Shakespeare as a representation of the theater

The play The Tempest by William Shakespeare discusses ideas of forgiveness, especially of Prospero to his traitors, but we could question how honest these feelings are, based on the actions of this character throughout the play.

The Tempest begins with a raging storm that seems at first to be a real natural event but we soon ascertain that it was caused by Prospero with his magic. We learn his reasons for this when he tells his daughter, Miranda, who he really is, the rightful Duke of Milan, and how he was betrayed by some of those who are in the ship wrecked by the storm.

During the entire play, Prospero manipulates the events on the island to obtain the results he wishes for. He provides the encounter between Miranda and Ferdinand, prevents Antonio and Sebastian from killing the King Alonso, interferes in Caliban’s plot to assassin him and brings everyone together in the end and offers his forgiveness: “But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded I here could pluck his highness’ frown upon you and justify you traitors. As this time I will tell no tales.” (V. I. 126-130).

Prospero’s actions during the play are inconsistent with his forgiveness in the end. Can it really be called forgiveness when you put your enemies through torments such as a ship wreck, the idea that one of them died, all the terrors and pain of being stranded in an unknown place with no hopes for rescue? At first Prospero seems to have found the goodness in himself by the prompting words of Ariel; “[…] if you now beheld them, your affections would become tender.” (V. I. 19-20). But the words he directs at his brother are incompatible with this idea: “For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother would even infect my mouth, I do forgive” (V. I. 131-131). Prospero is giving forgiveness at the same time that he refuses to acknowledge his brother as such.

Prospero’s forgiveness seems to be superficial, just a way to ensure peace and avoid causing problems for his daughter’s future life with Ferdinand, the King’s son. He offers forgiveness but assures his traitors that for now he will not accuse them for what they are, implying that he could come to do that if they were to displease him. The Duke of Milan’s act of forgiveness could be viewed as another instance of his manipulation of those around him in order to obtain what he wants and, although he seemly gives up his revenge, he ultimately gets it through Miranda and Ferdinand. What could be a better revenge than having his daughter as the future queen of Naples and heiress to the dukedom of Milan, getting back to his own blood what had been taking from him and more?

Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. The New Cambridge Shakespeare. Ed. David Lindley. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 2002.