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Power Struggles In The Tempest

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It is said that "A power struggle collapses when you withdraw your energy from it. Power struggles become uninteresting to you when you change your intention of winning to learning about yourself" (Gary Zukav). A comedic play written by William Shakespeare demonstrates the theme struggle for power that develops throughout the story of The Tempest. The Tempest is defined as an outrageous storm in which Shakespeare uses to enhance the play. This story is about a person named Prospero and his daughter who are stuck on an island due to Prospero's brother, Antonio. Antonio took over Prospero's dukedom of Milan after "kicking them out" (Act 5) and trying to end their lives. With the help of good, Lord Gonzalo, they survive. Now, marooned on an island with a malevolent servant [Caliban] and a spirit helper [Ariel], Prospero continues the practice of magic which will 12 years later come to haunt his fellow enemies whom receives a gift of Prospero's power in the end. The "outrageous storm" (Act 1) is just the beginning of a struggle for power. In The Tempest, Shakespeare uses conflicts to develop the theme struggle for power. In The "Tempest", different conflicts such as internal and external illustrate the way that people struggle for power. Affected by …show more content…

Prospero's vengeance against those who wronged him helps to show that people never forget the pain and may seek revenge on those who hurt them; therefore, the struggle to gain power over another person remains within. Stephano and Caliban's conspiracy to kill Prospero symbolizes the desperation for gain power can forever change a person's character. Even though people may get hurt by someone, vengeance is not the way to go because not only will it drive a person crazy and consume them through greed and hatred, but may forever change not only their life, but also who they

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