Illusion in The Tempest Essay Example

An illusion is a deliberate distortion of something, a misleading impression, or a false premise. Across the world, the crippling phenomenon of obtaining justice is a blatant pretext to benefit oneself and establish prejudice. In his theatrical play, The Tempest, William Shakespeare effectively portrays the issue of mistaken standards of justice. Shakespeare does this by utilizing Prospero, the ousted Duke of Milan who has been living in exile on a remote island. In a sense that his usurping brother wronged him, Prospero appears to be a victimized figure, but his elaborate scheme to reclaim his throne uncovers layers of hostility that make him an enigma to the audience. In The Tempest, William Shakespeare expresses his message by basing Prospero’s actions on power and exploitation, cultivating the theme of the illusion of justice. To further insinuate this theme, Shakespeare showcases how Prospero’s actions affect relationships and how he uses his social standing for personal gain.

Shakespeare explores the concept of the illusion of justice through Prospero’s power-based and predatory actions. Prospero finds it seamless to influence because of his power as a result of his acquisition and use of magical knowledge. One example is his totalitarian treatment of Ariel, an airy spirit. When Ariel reminds his master of his promise to free him from his commitments early if he fulfills them voluntarily, Prospero explodes in rage and threatens to restore him to his prior imprisonment and agony. Shakespeare writes, “If thou murmur’st, I will rend an oak / And peg thee in his knotty entrails till / Thou hast howled away twelve winters” (Shakespeare, Act I, ii, Li. 294-296). As evidenced in the quotation, Prospero wields influence over Ariel, whom he enslaves after rescuing him from the island’s witch. He exploits this debt to exert control over Ariel and forces him to perform his bidding until he regains his throne, a sort of justice that he has misconstrued in his mind. This is clear when Prospero, in conjunction with Ariel, comes to master Caliban, the son of a witch, possessing subhuman nature: “As wicked dew as e’er my mother brushed / With raven’s feather from unwholesome fen / Drop on you both! A southwest blow on ye / And blister you all o’er!” (Shakespeare, Act I, ii, Li. 321-324). Caliban is marginalized as a byproduct of Prospero’s dismissal and is compelled to serve him as one of his slaves. Prospero continues to use his magical powers to abuse both Caliban and Ariel until he changes his heart and learns to forgive his adversaries.