Elucidate the theme of usurpation as presented in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’.

Answer

Elucidate the theme of usurpation as presented in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. (2021) ✪✪✪ 

Usurpation means taking power or a position unlawfully or by force. In ‘The Tempest’ (1623), William Shakespeare (1564-1616) shows how greed and betrayal destroy peace. The story happens on a lonely island where Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, lives with Miranda. His brother, Antonio, has stolen his dukedom. This crime of usurpation becomes the heart of the play and controls every event.

Antonio and Alonso’s Usurpation of Prospero: The first and main usurpation in the play is done by Antonio and Alonso. Prospero, Duke of Milan, loved study and knowledge. Prospero spends most of his time in his library, studying magic and books. He neglects his duties as Duke of Milan. He gave all state power to his brother, Antonio. Antonio betrayed him and joined hands with Alonso, King of Naples. They sent Prospero and baby Miranda to the sea in a rotten boat. But Prospero survived by Gonzalo’s kindness and reached the island. The event changed his life forever. Prospero says to Miranda,

“My brother, and thy uncle, call’d Antonio—

He whom next thyself 

Of all the world I loved.”

This line shows Prospero’s pain. Antonio’s betrayal is the root of the play’s story and the start of all other usurpations.

Prospero’s Usurpation of Caliban: On the island, Prospero himself becomes an usurper. The island once belonged to the witch Sycorax and her son Caliban. After Sycorax died, Caliban ruled the place. When Prospero came, he took control and made Caliban his slave. He used magic to rule the land. He forced Caliban to obey. Caliban angrily says,

“This island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother,

Which thou takest from me.”

This shows Caliban’s pain of being ruled. So, even Prospero becomes part of the circle of usurpation. He takes another’s home and rules it as his own.

Sebastian’s Plan to Usurp Alonso: Usurpation again comes when Sebastian plans to