Prospero undergoes a metamorphosis in a change of character and how he uses magic. Prospero employs magical enchantments to influence the lives of his enemies. Prospero has a change in character as he seeks vengeance but later renounces his ways in the use of magic. Prospero casts spells on his captors and this is highlighted when he sends a tempest into the sea to seize his enemies. However, Prospero feels pity for his fellow individuals after casting spells upon them to change their emotional states. The spells were meant to inflict punishments on the individuals as they are sent to the wilderness. Prospero shows the changes as he indicates compassion and this is shown through “Of their afflictions and shall not myself. One of their kind that relish as sharply. Passion as they, be kindlier mov’d than thou art?” (Shakespeare 5.1.14-31).
Prospero views Caliban as his subordinate and his little respect. Prospero and Miranda have a superiority complex over Caliban and view him as an inferior individual. This is indicated through the line ‘This Island’s mine, by Sycorax, my mother’ (Shakespeare 1:2:16:355) by Caliban. Caliban on the other hand views Prospero as authoritative and in contempt and is happy to ‘curse’ his mother. Miranda views Caliban as a ‘savage’ as he has tried to rape her in the past therefore he insists that he cannot be good even after intensive training. According to Miranda, Caliban deserves to be locked up. The island is uninhabited and is a representation of infinite possibilities that may affect everyone who comes to the island. The island represents a colonial perspective and differences in culture that are existent among the inhabitants of the island. Additionally, there are persons who have power and represent a subject of power while others are ruled.
References.
Shakespeare, William. The tempest. Vol. 9. Classic Books Company, 2001.
