The concise idea of
evil describes
wrongdoing and wickedness; in literature it can be viewed by immoral
actions
and the corrupt behavior of characters. In the Shakespearean
play The Tempest, the theme of evil is present from different
perspectives. The setting is on enchanted island of the Mediterranean
which is inhabited by a magician named Prospero, his daughter, Miranda,
a misshapen monster who is a servant of theirs, Caliban, and an airy
spirit Ariel.Throughout the play, Prospero seeks revenge in attempt
to takeover control and become the duke of Milan. His unjust brother,
Antonio, acts as antagonist in the play, and with the co-operation of
the
King of Naples detains Prospero of his rightful position. When
Prospero states, “Of homage and I know not how much tribute, should
presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom and confer fair
Milan, with all honors, on my brother” he explains Miranda how
Antonio’s lust for power represents his treacherous actions in the play
(I.II.145). During the tempest, a lot of the character’s traits are
revealed to the reader. In the first act, Antonio and Sebastian are
portrayed as rude and foul towards the boatswain. The rude action
foreshadows their questionable behavior throughout the play. By
contrast, Alonso, Ferdinand, and Gonzalo, behave respectfully, and give
up their authority to listen to someone with more skill in such matter
such as: the ship wreck. In the second act, the question of
authority defines the argument of evil in the play. Ariel, the winged
spirit, is sent on mission. Invisible, he approaches the group of
Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, and the other lords. For example, when
Sebastian says, “Draw thy sword. One stroke shall free thee from the
tribune which thou payest, and I the king shall love thee” he expresses
his arrogant feelings to Antonio and plans murdering Alonso, king of
Naples (II.I.333). However, as soon as, the spirit warns Gonzalo the
king is saved. This incident shows the tremendous lust for power and
authority which corresponds to the nature of evil and greed in The
Tempest. A final example that helps bring out the theme in the play
occurs in the third act. Caliban, having been brutality mistreated by
Prospero, unites with two shipwrecked survivors; Trinculo and Stephano.
As they drink wine freely, Caliban urges to free him by murdering
Prospero. For instance when Caliban says, “As I told thee before, I am
subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of
the island” he expresses his hatred and rage towards his previous
master (III.II.45). Although, at first it seems Prospero is a virtuous
and benign character in the play, he takes on a role of a ruthless king
that takes advantage over inferior beings to bring justice to his cause
and humiliates them. Thus, it ties in with the argument of evil in the
play. In conclusion, throughout these instances, the nature of evil
has presented itself from the following dimensions: greed, lust for
power, and personal satisfaction. These examples gave a clear notion
that evil arises from the habit of immoral actions and corrupt behavior
of characters.