Theme of Power in the Tempest

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relationship as well, but it is shown in a more “acceptable” way. Prospero and Miranda have loving relationship, with Prospero calling her a “cherubin” and giving her the trust to remove his “magic garment”. There is no doubt about it that he had control over Miranda, “you have often begun to tell me what I am, but stopped and left me to a bootless inquisition.” (..) Prospero obviously puts his power to the test when he puts Miranda to sleep in Act III, “Thou art inclined to sleep. ‘Tis a good dullness and give it way. I know thou cannot choose.” (..)

The Tempest is fundamentally about the abuse of power and control. The relationships between the characters are made up of power, and the relationships are what make the play. The Tempest pinpoints that when one is in power, one eventually abuses their power in some way. Power and control is the most visible theme in the play. We see it in the relationships between Gonzalo and The Boatswain, along with the relationships that Prospero has with Caliban, Ariel, and Miranda. However, not only is The Tempest is made up of one theme, it is made up of more than one theme. The theme can also be seen as central justice, as well as nature and nurture. Central justice raises the question of it being the theme because when the power of Prospero is vanished, he had to have his “slaves” released and freed as well as losing the nobility. Nature and nurture is expressed through Caliban’s actions of his education, and the natural feeling of love overcoming the nurture of Prospero.