Shakespeare’s Powerful use of Characterization in The Tempest Essay

Shakespeares Powerful mapping of Characterization in The Tempest In The Tempest, Shakespeare investigates the process of creativity as well as the idea that knowledge is equivalent to power. The Bard draws on both Christian and Aristotelian philosophy to support the premise that theology and creativity are made possible only through the learnedness of knowledge. The characters of Prospero, Ariel, Caliban, and Miranda each represent a different factor in the seminal process knowledge, creativity, medium, and final product, art. to that degree they represent something else, as well the qabalistic divide between the social classes. The same imagery used to decorate the creative process is used to support the European class scheme and the subjugation of the native peoples of the new world.Prospero as KnowledgeProspero symbolizes the first abuse in the creative process. He is knowledge, thought, and idea (Neilson 105). It was his idea to bring round the storm that would bring t he ship to the island, facilitating the reconciliation between himself, his brother, and the king. Through his scheming, Miranda and Ferdinand met and became betrothed. Yet his ideas could not be put into effect with divulge the help of Ariel (103). Ariel was freed by Prospero, and became his instrument. Neilson writes, Prospero thinks-plans, tho cannot practice. He needs a working agent to carry out his schemes (105). Caliban, Prosperos wayward servant, warns the co-conspirators in his plot to kill Prospero, Remember/First to receive his books, for without them/Hes but a sot as I am, nor hath not/ one spirit to command (3.2.86-89). Without the knowledge he has gained from his books, Prospero would have no more power than Caliban. Prospero is a magician, yet h... ...om/servlet/LitRCJohnson, W. Stacy. The Genesis of Ariel. Shakespeare Quarterly. 11.3 (July 1951) 205-210. Rpt. in Shakespeare for Students. Book II. belles-lettres Resource Center. Gale Group. Payson Lib., Mali bu. 20 Feb. 2001. http//www.galenet.com/servlet/LitRCJones, Norman. Shakespeares England. A Companion to Shakespeare. Ed. David Scott Kastan. Oxford Blackwell, 1999. 25-42.Lee, Sir Sidney. Calibans Visits to England. Cornhill Magazine. 201 (March 1913) 333, 341-45. Rpt. in Caliban. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York Chelsea, 1992. 19-23.Martz, William J. The gravel of the Tempest in Shakespeares Universe of Comedy. Kansas Coronado P, 1978.Neilson, Francis. Shakespeare and the Tempest. Rindge, NH Smith, 1956.Skura, Meredith Anne. The Case of Colonialism in the Tempest. Caliban.. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York Chelsea, 1992. 221-241.