Abstract
An analysis of Shakespeare's themes in "The Tempest" including humanity's dark and light dualities as revealed in his characters' and all humans' reality and illusion, imprisonment and freedom, dark magic and white magic, beauty and ugliness and power. A look at the themes of the play.

From the Paper
"In"The Tempest", Shakespeare, like a juggler plays with many ideas, or themes. Through the magic of his remarkable art, he keeps all his idea balls in the air at the same time and keeps his audience entranced. Magic and enchantment are in fact the central force that Shakespeare uses to keep all those balls aloft. What I propose to do within the limited scope of this short paper is to describe just a few of the thematic balls being juggled in The Tempest and to reveal through the use of comparison and contrast just a little of how Shakespeare managed to keep those balls spinning at dizzying speed."

Tags:reality, illusion, imprisonment, freedom, dark, magic, white, magic, beauty, ugliness, power

Abstract
This paper examines the similarities and differences between King Lear of Shakespeare's "King Lear" and Prospero of Shakespeare's "Tempest". Through critical analysis, they can almost be seen as two scenarios for the same man whereby Prospero becomes a better man through self-realization and Lear discovers himself too late.

From the Paper
"The doomed title character in Shakespeare's King Lear and the magical Prospero in The Tempest may at first seem to not have much in common. Contrary to first glance, one is in fact the opposite of the other. Each represents an elderly man's interactions with his surroundings; his loved ones, and even himself. It can even be said that if King Lear had lived, he might, because of the transformation brought about by so many painful realizations and experiences, have turned into a Prospero-like character. This is to say a man who, after having been through painful ordeals over which he has no control, finally uses these experiences to manifest his own destiny and create his own domain."

Tags:analysis, comparison, king, lear, prospero, shakespeare, tempest

Abstract
This paper discusses the primary theme of the play "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare, which is that mankind's insatiable need for both love and revenge can only be satisfied after one stops trying to force them to be satisfied through control and manipulation.

From the Paper
"In The Tempest, Shakespeare not only tells an intricate tale of greed, revenge and love, but he also conveys a message about the consequences of immersing oneself in these emotions. The play is therefore not merely an adventure story about a group of people stranded on a desert island, as it may initially seem. It is, in all actuality, a model for the complexities of human behavior. "

Tags:analysis, characters, plot, Prospero, Miranda

From the Paper
"William Shakespeare's The Tempest is categorized along with other plays written near the end of the playwright's life, plays that are considered difficult to classify so that they are called tragicomedies, showing that there is a mixture of both comedy and tragedy inherent in their structure and characterizations. Ferdinand and Miranda are the lovers in this play, but they represent more than merely youthful desire and serve as pawns in a larger game being played by Miranda's father, Prospero. At the same time, Prospero always protects his daughter, and his encouragement of their romance should be seen in the context of a doting father wanting the best for his daughter in spite of his dedication to exacting revenge and regaining his place in the outside world.
Prospero has been given considerable power as a magician..."

Abstract
This drama study historically critiques the theme of political corruption as it evolves in the play, "The Tempest", by William Shakespeare. The paper analyzes the various characters of this play to illustrate how the struggle for power is complex and that power and greed are the basis of corruption. The paper also points out that ,although Prospero dissolves the aggression set against him in the play, Shakespeare
uses "The Tempest" to reveal a commentary on political intrigue and corruption that reflects the historical Elizabethan monarchal class system and the politics of Shakespeare's times.

Tags:thomas, shakespeare, death

Abstract
This paper examines how "The Tempest" has attracted a vast array of critical attention, possibly because of its intriguingly ambiguous message which naturally invites conjecture. It looks at how it is a text loaded with nuances and ambiguities which make it impossible to pin down Shakespeare's original motivation or world view. By contemplating the relationship between Prospero, Ariel and Caliban it considers the author's views of their relationship in comparison with those of major critics.

From the Paper
"Caliban's attitude to Prospero is one of absolute terror of his power rather than mere subservience. Mannnoni's argument of a "predisposition to dependency ", supported by Caliban's quick acceptance of Trinculo as "... a new master whose 'footlicker' he can become..." (quoted in Reader, p. 284) is hard to accept. Shakespeare's text is surely more light-hearted than this. Caliban's comic simplicity leads him to believe that Stephano and Trinculo are gods to be worshipped, not just men to be obeyed. In the magical surrounding of the island where the fantastic often happens, the naive Caliban can surely be forgiven for believing that Stephano and Trinculo are "...dropped from heaven" (2.2.134) or "Out o'th'moon" (2.2.135)."

Tags:caliban, miranda, island

Abstract
The paper shows that "The Tempest", by William Shakespeare, provides an arena for much interplay between illusion and reality. This interplay is facilitated by Prospero, Duke of Milan. Prospero uses the study of magic to disillusion the other characters brought to the island by way of the tempest. This essay discusses instances of illusion and their respective impact on the play in how they bring the theme of illusion versus reality to light.

From the Paper
"One of the most well-discussed themes in The Tempest is the theme of illusion versus reality. This theme initially appears as it relates to the opposing worlds of a primitive island and the civilized culture of Milan. All of the characters in this play have been brought to this island in one way or another, and they are forced to coexist in a new and unfamiliar setting. These men are accustomed to reigning over all things, yet they now find themselves in a realm where the reigning power is that of illusion. Throughout the play there can be found examples of the ever-present theme of illusion versus reality in the actions of the characters, as well as in events that take place. Some of the most important elements of the play are presented by way of illusion and, therefore, hold meaning outside of what they first appear to be. Magic plays a considerable part in the workings of the play, as do the sources of the magic. In recognizing the part played by this theme of illusion versus reality, one can more clearly understand why certain events take place in The Tempest."

Tags:caliban, ferdinand, miranda, storm, truth

Abstract
This paper is about how the characters in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" see Caliban as a monster. The writer examines the character and proceeds to compare and contrast him to each of the other characters in the play. The writer also debates about whether or not their treatment of Caliban is justified.

From the Paper
"William Shakespeare's, "The Tempest," provides insight into the hierarchy of command and servitude by order of nature. This play uses the relationship between its characters to display the control of the conqueror over the conquered. It also shows how society usually places the undesirable members at the bottom of the chain of command, even though they may be entitled to a higher social status. For example, the beginning of the play opens with a scene on a boat in the midst of a terrible storm. The boatswain, who is under the command of the royal party, attempts to keep the boat from sinking. Members of the royal party, however, persist in interfering with his duties. The boatswain retorts, "What cares these roarers for the name of the king" To cabin! Silence! Trouble us not"(I, I, 16-18). He is trying to warn his superiors that if he does not let him do his job, everyone will die, and it will not matter who has power over whom. The superiors, however, still take offense to this comment and label him a blasphemer. Caliban, an unfortunate character in this play, suffers from similar constant abuse because he is of the lowest social rank in his community. Critic John W. Draper describes Caliban's position in relation to the other characters when he says, "Of all the characters in Shakespeare, Caliban is the most fully and repeatedly/ described, though not always consistently; and his bodily parts seem to show little/ relation to his humor or his character except that both are monstrous. Monsters/ were popular; and, as Trinculo remarks, any "holiday fool" in England would pay out/ "silver" for the sight of one. Caliban's monstrosity, however, out-Herods Herod"(Draper 89). According to the other inhabitants of the island, Caliban is a monster. He is a symbol of what they never want to become. Caliban reminds them to act as though they are worthy of their high social status. He is the painfully realistic entity around whom the other rulers on the island silently rally in order to maintain a social balance. They abhor him but desperately desire to possess at the same time. On a narrower scale, the oppression of the underdog is obvious in the undesirable Caliban and his relationship to Prospero, Miranda, Ariel and Ferdinand. "

Tags:character, play, opression, monster, Prospero, Ferdinand, Miranda

Abstract
This essay is about the theme of magic in the Shakesparean play, "The Tempest". The writer provides a short summary of the play and quotes lines which show how the power of magic influenced developments in the plot.

From the Paper
"Prospero was the legal duke of Milan. His brother, Antonio, stole his title and banished him and his daughter, Miranda, from Milan. While in exile, on an isolated island, he harnessed powers of magic for he was a great lover of arts and in particular, magic. Prospero was a very powerful man and by using his spell books, he was able to summon mighty magic. The most powerful creature he controls is Ariel who aids him in executing some of his magic spells."

Tags:magic, tempest, theme, Propero, Miranda

From the Paper
"A man who was cheated of his royal title by his brother and set adrift with his infant daughter, happens upon a deserted island. He defeats the evil master of the island and takes over as ruler. The man feels sorry for the son of the previous master, teaching him his language and housing him. This continues until the man catches him molesting his daughter. As retribution, the man enslaves him."

Tags:analysis, ariel, caliban, characters, colonial, history, post, prospero, shakespeare, tempest, themes