In “The Tempest” Act 3, Scene 2 builds upon the character personalities from the previous scenes. The theme of “mirroring” is prevalent within this act. By taking a closer look at Act 3, Scene 2 we can gain a better understanding of the developments in earlier acts and perspective on scenes to come.
Summary of Action
Throughout this part of the comedy, Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano wander about the island drinking and squabbling (Shakespeare ). Caliban professes his desire to take action against Prospero. He proposes that they all steal Prospero’s magic books and take Miranda (Shakespeare ). Upon hearing this plot, Ariel plays his magic flute. Enchanted by the music, the three men decide to first find the source of the music before attacking Prospero (Shakespeare ).
Character Development
In this Act, we see that the personalities of these characters become even more apparent. Trinculo and Stephano were previously portrayed as weak servants, but we now see these three men as boastful and power hungry (Shakespeare ). They now see themselves on an equal playing field to their masters now that they are on the island and are looking to make use of this new shift of power to their advantage. Greed seems to drive their every action, unfortunately they do not seem to have the brain power to pull off their schemes. The two appear to be both literally and metaphorically drunk, drunk on wine and drunk on power. Both seem to have impaired their judgment in this scene.
Caliban becomes a more sympathetic character in this act. He finally gets a chance to relate his story to the audience. We learn that Caliban has led an oppressed life and he wants nothing more than to live in peace and freedom. While he has few qualms about what might happen to Prospero or Miranda, he seems to have great love for the island. He speaks in-depth about his love for the island by saying,
“Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,/Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not./Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments/Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices/That, if I then had waked after long sleep,/Will make me sleep again. And then, in dreaming,/The clouds methought would open and show riches/Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked/I cried to dream again.” (Shakespeare ).
In Caliban’s mind, he is the victim of civilization. He is the oldest resident on the island and was enslaved by Prospero, who thinks that Caliban should be grateful to him for this new “civilization.” (Shakespeare ). Caliban wants to deny civilization and go back to the freedom of the natural world that the island offers.
However, we also see his sadistic side in his description of the violent death he wants to inflict upon Prospero. He is also quite willing to “give” Miranda to whomever wants her, without any thought to her wellbeing (Shakespeare ). This seems particularly harsh as Caliban has no reason to dislike Miranda, accept that she is related to Prospero.
Ariel is once again represented as a trickster in this act. Angered by the proclamation of Caliban, Ariel decides to deceive them with his music in attempt to distract them from their plans (Shakespeare ). His devotion to Prospero is evident in his actions. He sticks up for Prospero by calling Caliban a liar (Shakespeare ). His desire to protect Prospero is his driving force in all that he does.
The Theme of Mirroring
Many of the characters throughout this play mirror other characters. For example, in this scene we see the servants take on the demeanor of their masters. They become very arrogant and boastful now that they are on their own. Caliban, who has been described as a monster, wishes to turn the tables by insisting that Prospero is the monster. He states, “As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.” (Shakespeare ). Their slanderous accusations about one another mirror each other. Caliban also insists that Prospero’s books not be destroyed (Shakespeare ). One would surmise that by this statement Caliban endeavors to take Prospero’s magic as his own. Caliban’s manipulative nature is similar to Prospero’s. Both consider the other inhuman and think themselves right without any doubt.
The Theme of Power
This act represents the first real turn of power. The master/servant dynamic is explored through the character laments. Their deep desire to “lord” over the island shows that they are quite willing to take their master’s place is the opportunity arises (Shakespeare ). Stephano states, “Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen—save our graces!—and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys.—Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?” (Shakespeare) This shows that ambition is as prevalent in these common servants as it would be in a noble born man. Caliban uses his power of manipulation to convince the other two men to uphold to his plan. He preys upon their weakness for flattery to appeal to them. Caliban offers to let them be lord of the island, and entices them with promises of wealth, women, and freedom that he is unlikely to uphold. This cunning gives him power over them both.
Prospero’s books are symbolic of his power. Caliban feels that if he is successful in stealing the books than Prospero’s downfall is imminent. He feels that Prospero is only powerful through his magic. This is illustrated when he states, “Remember first to possess his books, for without them he’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not one spirit to command.” (Shakespeare ).
The Theme of Magic
Magic is very prevalent throughout “The Tempest”. In this act it is symbolic of both power and trickery. Prospero’s magic is considered his power, but Ariel also uses his magical flute to enchant the men and distract them from their task.
As a magical creature, Ariel is unpredictable and mysterious. Magic enslaves him and dictates his life. Trinculo and Stephano do not seem to know quite what to think about Ariel. They are mesmerized by his music but can’t decide if he is a source of evil or not. This is evident when they state, “If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness. If thou beest a devil, take ’t as thou list.” (Shakespeare).
In conclusion, Act 3, Scene 2 of “The Tempest” builds upon the other acts by further developing characters and explaining their motivations. The act also acts for a catalyst for change in upcoming acts. A shift of power is happening at this time as the weak band together in an attempt to overthrow the more powerful. A complex plot is constructed by the mastermind Caliban. Caliban’s manipulation of others speaks of his obsessive and dangerous vendetta against Prospero.
Works Cited:
Shakespeare, W. The Tempest. Penguin Classics, 2010. Print.
