Prospero’s Game? A discussion of chaos and control in Shakespeare’s The Tempest

Abstract

This thesis looks at an excerpt from Peter Hulme’s book Colonial Encounters, “Prospero and Caliban”, where Hulme explores the notion that Prospero, like Shakespeare, is dramatist and creator of theatrical effects. Like Hulme, I believe that there are two plays being enacted, yet I do not share his opinion regarding Prospero as a stage director or a playwright, nor that the play within the play is a means for Prospero to regain his dukedom. In my opinion, there is a high emphasis on the notion of “pretend” in The Tempest, of assuming to have different qualities in order to hide one’s true nature. As I intend to show in this essay, Ariel has a larger role in the play within the play than Prospero lets the audience believe, and through themes such as power and authority, chaos and control, forgiveness and release, a “game” within The Tempest will be revealed. My aim in this thesis is to refocus Hulme’s reading, and through the examination of the relationships between the characters in The Tempest, Ariel’s role in the play within the play will become evident.