Prospero as Shakespeare

Paper Summary:

This essay examines to what extent Prospero is representative of Shakespeare himself. The writer demonstrates that the island of Prospero is indeed symbolizing the fictional world of the playwright. Each and everyone who lands on this island are under the guidance of Prospero in his lair, and through the agency of the magic of Ariel. The writer draws many other parallels to authorship and the art of writing. The writer maintains that the salvation of the artist is through his art, and Prospero wins back his kingdom through his exploits on the island. But finally he requires the applause of the audience, to bring the fictional world to a close, and to resume his reign.

From the Paper:

"In his play The Tempest Shakespeare gives us an allegory of the artist as creator. It is his last play with full authorship, and it seems that the playwright wants to bid farewell to his art with a distinctive statement about the true function of the author. In it he shows us how the author is in complete control of the world he creates, and that he is able to impose his own values on the character he creates as he guides their fates. From this point of view Prospero can be seen as representing Shakespeare, and Prospero's island as the dramatic world that the playwright creates."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Vol. 3. Ed. Peter Alexander. London: Collins, 1965.

More papers on Prospero as Shakespeare:

• Analytical Essay # 57117 : "Prospero"
• Book Review # 109082 : "William Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
• Comparison Essay # 4640 : "A Comparison of Lear and Prospero"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: