# data[].attributes.body
Major Themes

Power and Control: Prospero wields immense power through magic, controlling the island and its inhabitants (Ariel, Caliban) to achieve his goals, reflecting themes of political power and exploitation.

Magic, Illusion, and Art: Magic blurs the line between reality and illusion, with Prospero's control over the tempest mirroring Shakespeare's role as a playwright creating a story.

Colonialism and Servitude: The relationship between Prospero (the colonizer) and Caliban (the colonized) explores themes of language, subjugation, and resistance.

Revenge vs. Forgiveness: The play contrasts Prospero's desire for vengeance against his usurping brother with his eventual choice to offer mercy and forgiveness, highlighting themes of redemption and reconciliation.

Freedom and Imprisonment: Many characters are trapped – physically on the island or by circumstances – while seeking freedom, particularly Ariel and Caliban.

Nature vs. Nurture: The play questions whether characters' behaviours stem from innate qualities (nature) or their upbringing and environment (nurture), seen in Caliban's character.

# data[].attributes.body
Key aspects of colonialism in the play include:

Prospero as Colonizer: Prospero assumes ownership of the island, treating Caliban as an inferior, "savage" subject to be exploited for labor.

Caliban as the Colonized: Caliban represents the indigenous population, resisting Prospero's rule and mourning the loss of his island, which he inherited from his mother, Sycorax.

Language as Power: Prospero uses language to dominate Caliban, who learns it to express his rebellion and curse his captors.

Ariel's Servitude: Ariel represents a different facet of colonization, acting as an indentured servant who seeks freedom through obedience, contrasting with Caliban’s open defiance.

Context of the New World: The play reflects contemporary Elizabethan-era interest in colonization, including accounts of shipwrecks in the Americas (like the Bermuda-bound Sea Venture).

# data[].attributes.body
In The Tempest, Ariel and Caliban are both natives of the island and colonized subjects of Prospero, but they react very differently to oppression.

Caliban resents Prospero, feels betrayed, and responds with rebellion, curses, and rejection of language and knowledge. Yet, when he meets Stephano and Trinculo, he willingly submits to them, showing he is incapable of true autonomy.

Ariel, instead, submits willingly to Prospero because he owes him a debt (Prospero freed him from Sycorax) and because obedience promises eventual freedom. As the play progresses, Ariel becomes more confident and authoritative, eventually gaining true freedom.

Language plays a key role: Ariel uses poetry and music, showing harmony and creativity, while Caliban uses curses, reflecting frustration and alienation.
By the end of the play, Ariel is the only character whose condition truly improves. Shakespeare suggests that human nature, when combined with power and modern civilisation, tends toward oppression, challenging Montaigne’s optimistic view of the “natural man.”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Plot Summary

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Characters

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shakespeare in Seven Minutes: The Tempest Summary

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest - Helen Mirren - Ben Whishaw - Djimon Hounsou - Julie Taymor - Subtitles - 2010 - 4K

# data[].attributes.headline
The Tempest played by The Royal Shakespeare Company

# data[].attributes.subject
The Tempest played by The Royal Shakespeare Company

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest | Cinema Trailer | Royal Shakespeare Company

# data[].attributes.body
Prospero is a magician and he is the rightful duke of Milan and he lives with his daughter, Miranda on an island, because they were exiled by Prospero's brother, Antonio and the King of Naples, Alonso. Their house is a cave in the rock, where Prospero studies magic in order to have revenge of his enemies.
This island was put under a spell by a witch called Sycorax, who locked up some spirits in trees. Prospero sets them free and meets Ariel, who swears to serve the wizard.
Prospero meets also Caliban, an ugly monster and Sycorax’s son and he turns him into his slave.
One day, Prospero and Miranda see a shipwreck in the middle of the sea and many men cast up on the island. Among them, there is Ferdinand, prince of Naples, who falls in love with Miranda. Sebastian, who is Ferdinand's brother, and Antonio plan to kill Alonso so Sebastian could become king. Prospero puts Ferdinand to work manually, controlling all his movements with magic. Ariel pesters Prospero for his freedom and Prospero promises it once he has done some things for him, regarding the newcomers. After some time Prospero releases Ferdinand and gives his blessing for the marriage of the prince and Miranda. Prospero then explains that he tested Ferdinand, and betroths a willing Miranda to him. He then asks Ariel to bring some other spirits and create a masque to entertain the young couple. These spirits present a blessing by Iris, Ceres, and Juno, followed by dancing. Prospero suddenly remembers the plot against his life, dismisses the spirits and Miranda and Ferdinand, and sets a trap for Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano, three people who tried to kill Prospero. They are chased offstage by goblins in the shape of hounds. Then Ariel arrives and he talks to Prospero and he persuades him not to kill them. Prospero  tells Ariel to fetch the nobles while he breaks his charms. In the conclusion, all the main characters are brought together before Prospero, who forgives Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian. Ariel is charged to prepare the proper sailing weather to guide the King's ship back to the Royal fleet and then to Naples, where Ferdinand and Miranda will be married. After discharging this task, Ariel will finally be free. Prospero forgives Caliban, who is sent to prepare Prospero's cell, to which Alonso and his party are invited for a final night before their departure. (It is, however, not made clear whether, after their departure, Caliban will remain on the island or whether he will be taken to Naples.) Prospero indicates that he intends to entertain them with the story of his life on the island. Prospero has resolved to break and bury his magic staff, and "drown" his book of magic, and in his epilogue, shorn of his magic powers, he invites the audience to set him free from the island with their applause.