Analysis of Prospero (I.ii.70-200) - The Tempest

            In act one scene two of The Tempest, Prospero talks with his daughter about the injustice they have been subjected to in the past. He generates sympathy from the audience by explaining, “As my trust was [in Antonio], which had indeed no limit / A confidence sans bounds” (I.ii.116-117). In these lines, Prospero paints himself as the victim. He trusted his brother with his kingly records and life, so he rightfully feels betrayed by the usurpation of his dukedom. He deserves to get revenge on Antonio, or so the audience is led to believe up to this point. In the closing lines of the passage, Prospero mentions that Gonzalo “furnished me / From mine own library with volumes that / I prize above my dukedom” (I.ii.198-200). These books allow Prospero to attain his magical powers, and they distract him from his duties as the duke. This neglect causes Antonio to sweep in and usurp the dukedom from Prospero whose character now generates less sympathy from the audience because those lines give reason to Antonio for taking control of the land. Although it was a harsh move to exile Prospero and Miranda to a deserted island, at least it was done with a reason. Prospero’s character is both sympathetic and unsympathetic due to the fact he lost everything from a brother he once trusted, but his obsession with magic and neglect of his power suggest that he had the usurpation coming to him all along.