The Tempest is a celebration of human life. It celebrates man’s spiritual and emotional depth, diversity, and ability to possess knowledge and purity. Yet Shakespeare also reveals the dark side of mankind as all characters are flawed. Prospero is in every way the most intricate character as he plays many roles in The Tempest. Prospero is a ruler, scientist, victim, sorcerer, father, master, politician, and slave throughout the play. His complexity is the core of humanism’s appreciation for man. In the final Act of the play Miranda, Prospero’s daughter explains spellbound, “O! Wonder! How many goodly creatures are t

ge with his nature and the outcome is what makes Prospero a complex and round character. As readers we accept him for his lack of control knowing that humans are not always in control. There is an element of supernaturalism present in the human life.

Each of the mentioned elements: celebrating human life, knowledge, learning, and individual development, Christian emphasis, and pride in the English language are all intricately manifested into The Tempest and reflect the core ideas of humanism. After all, in the words of Shakespeare, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”

One final glimpse of knowledge in The Tempest is seen through Gonzalo’s utopian speech. In this dialogue Shakespeare introduces the idea of a utopian society and the balance of all people as equals living off the land. “Letters should not be known; riches, poverty, and use of service, none… All things in common nature should produce.” This utopian society of Sir Thomas More’s is a humanist idea.

When Shakespeare first introduces the reader to Prospero one learns that it is because he studied too much that his stepbrother took control of his kingdom. Thus too much knowledge leads to foolishness. Yet knowledge can also lead to power, control, and ultimately imprisonment- both to the master and to the slave. When Caliban plans a revolt against Prospero he advises Stephano and Trinculo to capture Prospero’s book. “First, to possess his books for without them he’s but a sot, as I am.” Caliban emphasizes

Some topics in this essay:
William Shakespeare’s, Prospero Caliban, Ironically Caliban, IV Prospero, God God, Miranda Prospero’s, Caliban Ariel, Stephano Trinculo, Tempest Prospero, Trinculo Stefano, individual development, human life, learning individual development, learning individual, pride english language, humanist movement, knowledge learning, shakespeare introduces, act iv, pride english, english language, knowledge learning individual, utopian society,