An essay about transformation by theatre in Shakespeare's "The Tempest". Transformation of Prospero, of the audience and of Shakespeare himself

1. The Transformation of Prospero In Shakespeare's "The Tempest" the figure of Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, forms the key element of all actions and developments throughout the play. He incorporates absolute power over the other characters and generates the plot of the play almost uninfluenced. For an in-depth understanding of the play it is therefore indispensable to analyse whether or not he undertakes a transformation in character or behaviour and hence interrupts a straight …

…Now 'tis true I must be here confined by you or sent to Naples. Let me not, since I have my dukedom got, and pardoned the deceiver, dwell in this bare island by your spell; but release me from my bands with the help of your good hands." (Epilogue. 5-10) Therefore it is the theatre that made him appear like something outstanding, something special, but underneath he never changed, he was still the same man.