Prospero

Paper Summary:

William Shakespeare's character, Prospero, in "The Tempest", proves to be one of the playwright's most baffling and interesting creations through his dramatic transformation. This paper shows that, while Prospero is an interesting mix of power, magic, and knowledge, he becomes an example of one of the most humane individuals we encounter in Shakespeare's plays. One of the most striking aspects of Prospero's character is the fact the he abandons his power and decides to return to being a regular human being. His actions clearly demonstrate a desire to return to his humanity rather than become like a god. An analysis of his actions throughout this paper indicate that Prospero does indeed change for the better and, as a result, changes our perception of him, as well as his world of magic. The paper also compares Prospero's traits with other Shakespearean characters, such as King Lear and Macbeth.

From the Paper:

"While many may find Prospero's sincerity at the end of the play problematic, a close examination of his actions reveals his true intentions. We can assume that since Prospero spared his enemies, his goal was not simply punishment for the sake of punishment. Certainly Prospero was aware that he could easily destroy them with his magic if he intended to punish them. A grander scheme would have included destroying them while saving the ship, which would have provided the means for Prospero to return safely to Naples. Prospero also comes to the realization that revenge may not be worth its intended results. In some of his last lines he hopes that his final acts assault "Mercy itself and frees all faults/As you from crimes would pardoned be,/Let your indulgence set me free" (V.i.18-20)."

More papers on Prospero:

• Comparison Essay # 4640 : "A Comparison of Lear and Prospero"
• Analytical Essay # 113901 : "Prospero as Shakespeare"
• Analytical Essay # 128911 : "Prospero's Love"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: