The various social standings and control that characters desire to have over one another is central to the play. The relationships between Prospero and his servants are a major part of the play as well as other relationships such as that of the nobles on the ship with the Boatswain. The Boatswain expresses to the nobles his view that at a time when death is being faced, the life of most importance is his own. When the storm is attacking the ship and Gonzalo mentions the king to the Boatswain, the Boatswain responds saying that there is "None that I love more than myself." (Tempest, pg. 61). The Boatswain expresses the view that just because a man has a great title that does not make his life of more value than others; this thinking does not sit well with the nobles. .
What is fascinating about all the characterizations is that even though there are characters ranging from the servant Boatswain to Alonso, the King of Naples, almost all of the characters are corrupted and intoxicated by the idea of power. This corruption occurs as early as twelve years prior to the setting of the play. Prospero tells his daughter Miranda that it is "Twelve years since, / Thy Father was the Duke of Milan." (Tempest, pg. 65). Prospero was stripped of his dukedom by his brother, Antonio. Prospero, however, returns one theft of power with another as he takes advantage of who is now his slave, Caliban, and takes control of the island. .
Such desires for power permeate the minds of almost all the characters once they land on the island. The corruption begins quickly, as Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill the king, Alonso, so that Sebastian can take control of Naples: .
"As thou got'st Milan,.
I"ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke.
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest,.
And I the King shall love thee." (Tempest, pg. 93).
Sebastian is telling Antonio that as Antonio stole claim to Milan, so Sebastian will claim the Kingship of Naples.