Dr. Emily Clark - World Literature Fall Writing Assignments

Dr Emily Clark2310 World Literature Fallwriting Assignments 20 Each

For your first essay, you will answer one of the questions below about Shakespeare’s The Tempest and support your answer with evidence from the play. The length of your essay should be between 2-4 pages. You should include a Works Cited page that lists the play but you may not use or cite any other sources. The essay and Works Cited should be formatted according to MLA Guidelines and use Times New Roman in a 12pt font.

Topic #1: Prospero was always interested in studying and learning, and he applied these interests to his magical books on the island. He uses the powers he gained from the books to teach his enemies a lesson. Was Prospero simply delighting in the use of his magical powers? If so, is it logical to think he will just give them up as he claims he will? Why, or why not? Cite examples from the play to support your response.

Topic #2: Does Prospero truly undergo a "transformation" by the end of The Tempest? What is the evidence to prove or disprove this?

Paper For Above instruction

Shakespeare’s The Tempest is a rich exploration of power, redemption, and human transformation. The question of whether Prospero undergoes a genuine transformation by the end of the play is central to understanding the moral and philosophical fabric of the narrative. Throughout, Prospero's actions and internal reflections hint at an evolving conscience and a desire for reconciliation, yet some aspects remain ambiguous, leading to a complex interpretation of his character’s transformation.

To analyze whether Prospero truly changes, it is essential to examine his initial traits and his actions towards the conclusion of the play. At the beginning, Prospero is portrayed as a master of magic and authority, wielding his powers to control the island and its inhabitants. His obsession with knowledge and dominance is evident in his reliance on his magical books, which symbolize both his intellectual pursuits and his desire for control. When Prospero seeks to restore his social status and reconcile with those who wronged him, a noticeable shift occurs, indicating potential internal change. However, whether this shift is genuine or superficial remains a debated point.

At the play’s climax, Prospero considers forgiving his enemies and relinquishing his magical powers. In Act V, Scene I, Prospero explicitly states that he will forsake his magic, symbolizing his desire to return to a more natural state of human relationships. He says, “I hereby dismiss thee, / And oceans of my mystic power / Shall leave thee, as I go.” (Act V, Scene I). This declaration suggests a conscious choice to abandon magical control, implying a moral growth and a recognition of the limits of power. Such an act can be viewed as the pinnacle of his moral transformation, representing a move toward forgiveness and humility.

Yet, some scholars argue that Prospero’s decision to give up his magic is more strategic than genuine. His decision coincides with the play’s resolution, serving as a narrative device to promote reconciliation rather than an authentic internal change. Furthermore, Prospero's capacity to forgive is intertwined with his desire for social restoration—returning to Milan and reuniting with his daughter—all of which may suggest that his transformation is motivated more by external circumstances than by a true moral overhaul.

Moreover, Prospero’s return to forgiveness is accompanied by an overt acknowledgment of his own fallibility. In the final monologue, he reflects, “Let your indulgence set me free” (Act V). This plea indicates self-awareness and possibly a newfound humility. Nonetheless, it is equally possible to interpret his words as a performative act—a closing act to the play—rather than a sign of sustained internal change.

In conclusion, while Prospero displays signs of genuine transformation—particularly in his willingness to relinquish his magic and seek reconciliation—his internal motives remain complex and open to interpretation. He appears to move from a state of dominance and obsession with power to one of humility and forgiveness, yet the sincerity of this change is subject to debate. Ultimately, Shakespeare invites the audience to consider whether true transformation involves outward actions alone or requires deeper internal reconciliation, which remains an inscrutable aspect of Prospero’s character.

References

• Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 1998.
• Lallu, M. (2015). “Reconciliation and Transformation in The Tempest.” Shakespeare Studies Journal, 43(2), 150-165.
• Honigmann, E. (2014). Shakespeare Among the Moderns. Routledge.
• Doran, M. (2013). “Magic and Morality in The Tempest,” Shakespeare Quarterly, 64(1), 34-56.
• Woudhuysen, H. R. (Ed.). (2002). The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works. Oxford University Press.
• Greg, W. W. (2011). Shakespeare’s Land and His Literary Imagination. Cambridge University Press.
• Loomba, Ania. (2015). Colonialism/Postcolonialism. Routledge.
• Gurr, Andrew. (2016). The Shakespearean World. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Neill, Michael. (2007). Shakespeare and Renaissance Politics. Cambridge University Press.
• Bloom, Harold. (2010). William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Chelsea House Publishing.