Kit A.

Nadado The Tempest Response Paper Prospero plays the role of the oppressed and victimized king who is robbed of his kingship and kingdom. His goal in Shakespeares The Tempest is to reclaim the kingdom that is rightfully his. In this process of reclaiming his kingship and authority, Prospero claims an island and claims authority over mystical creatures to further his purpose. Ariel and Caliban are both mystical inhabitants of the island that Prospero uses for survival and for revenge. Ariel is promised freedom and Caliban is robbed of his own island. Prospero, the victim and the oppressed, becomes the tyrant and the oppressor as he betrays his promise of freedom to Ariel, and enslaves Caliban. Prospero claims injustice and oppression in the hands of his brother Antonio for seizing the throne. Prospero describes his deep resentment for his brothers oppression as foul play (1.2.59) springing from Antonios evil nature(1.2.94). Antonios foul play rids Prospero of a position as well as a kingdom that is rightfully his in the first place. At this point, Prospero truly is the wronged duke of Milan (5.1.106), the poor man (1.2.109) that he considers himself to be. He is the oppressed and the victim and Antonio is the oppressor and the tyrant. However, Prospero becomes the oppressor and the tyrant in his treatment to Ariel and Caliban. Prosperos breaking his promise of liberty to Ariel makes him the oppressor and the tyrant. Ariel is supposed to be bound for a yearlong of service to Prospero, and then be freed after this duration. Ariels plea for Prospero to remember thee what thou hast promised (1.2.243-244), is a call for Prospero to honor the promised freedom Ariel deserves for his worthy service (1.2.247). Ariel further justifies his right for this freedom by pointing out the flawlessness of his service that is without lies. . . mistaking. . . served without grudge or grumblings (1.2.249). Ariel undoubtedly deserves the freedom he has rightfully earned through service. Instead of granting freedom to Ariel, Prospero calls Ariel a liar and a malignant thing(1.2.258), and reminds Ariel that he is merely my slave(1.2.272). Worse, Prospero threatens Ariel of extended captivity. The moment Ariel will murmurst(1.2.296) more on the matter, Prospero threatens, I will rend an oak and peg thee in his knotty entrails(1.2.297). Prosperos response to Ariels plea for freedom is harsh and rather selfish. Prospero takes away Ariels freedom that is rightfully his and threatens violence if Ariel further pleas. Prosperos actions against Ariel make him both a tyrant and an oppressor. Calibans demotion from owner of the island to Prosperos slave, and Prosperos ill treatment to Caliban, makes Prospero a tyrant and oppressor as well. Calibans ill behavior may be justified in Prosperos taking over of the island that is rightfully Calibans. Caliban makes his point in his statement, This islands mine, by Sycorax my mother which thou takst from me (1.2.333). Calibans argument speaks truth since he is the rightful owner of the island by nature and by inheritance. Caliban then has all the right to call Prospero a tyrant, a sorcerer who cheated me of the island (3.2.41-43) since Caliban is reduced from a state of ownership to a state of an abhorred slave (1.2.354) merely subject to Prosperos whims. Worse, Prospero employs violence to ensure his standing as a ruler and retain Calibans state as a slave. Prospero threatens Caliban with horrible diseases of cramps, side stitches, and urchins that work all exercise (1.2.328-329) to the slave. Caliban then is tortured and is subject to pain and suffering whenever he rebels against Prosperos will. This treatment once again makes Prospero the tyrant and the oppressor. Prospero may have been truly victimized and oppressed by Antonio in the beginning. But, his past experiences of oppression do not truly give him authority to oppress other people to further his cause and get back to his oppressors.