Question

What is the significance of the chess game in The Tempest?

Accepted Answer

The game of chess occurs towards the end of this excellent play in Act V scene i, during a conversation between Prospero and Alonso, who believes his son, Ferdinand, is dead. In what is reminiscent of yet another masque scene in this play, Prospero therefore reveals a scene of Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess. There are a number of noteworthy elements that we could mention about this, but let us focus on what Miranda says to her lover, Ferdinand:

Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrange,
And I would call it fair play.

We can link this quote and the chess game into a number of different themes that are raised in the novel. First and foremost, it is the result of a political "wrangle" that left Prospero and Miranda on the island, as his brother took power and exiled him. Yet, at the same time, the motif of a chess game says a lot about the character of Prospero and how he has treated all of the characters like chess pieces, controlling and manipulating them throughout the play, moving them into different parts of the island according to his will.
Therefore the game of chess highlights the role of Prospero and makes us ask how we consider and view his involvement in the play. Is he an unforgivable, manipulative tyrant, or is he more of a benign stage manager?

Answer

The chess scene shows Alonso both that his beloved son Ferdinand is not dead and that his son is playing chess with a woman he is clearly in love with, Miranda. Miranda also reveals herself to be in love with Ferdinand, saying, in effect, that no matter what strategic, chess-like moves he might make in real life, she will support him:

Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle,
And I would call it fair play.

Alonso is delighted that his son is alive, and Alonso is accepting of the relationship between Ferdinand and Miranda, though he says he will lose his son a second time, presumably to marriage.
 
The chess scene is significant for revealing good news to Alonso. It is also significant as the first time Miranda sees a whole group of men. She is excited by the sight, saying:

Oh, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in ’t!

During the chess scene, Prospero forgives Alonso, essentially telling him to let bygones be bygones.
 
The chess scene underlines that Prospero has been the master of the "chessboard" of the island, controlling all the moves. Now he is ready to relinquish his magic and give up the control he has exerted. He will show forgiveness and give others power over their destinies.

The Tempest

What is the significance of the chess game in The Tempest?

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