Why was Prospero banished?
Before Prospero was banished from Milan and arrived on the island with Miranda, he was the duke of Milan. In the second scene of the play, Shakespeare provides background information on Prospero and Miranda's situation during a conversation between them. Prospero asks Miranda if she can remember her childhood before arriving on the island, and Miranda says that she only remembers that four or five women used to care for her. Prospero then goes into detail of how his brother usurped his position with the help of King Alonso and banished him from Milan.
Prospero explains to his daughter that twelve years ago, he was the powerful duke of Milan, and she was his heiress. As duke, Prospero was known for his dignity and education. However, he trusted his ambitious brother, Antonio, to run the state while Prospero spent the majority of his time "rapt in secret studies." While Prospero was busy studying his books of magic, Antonio gained power and influence over government officials and the citizens of Milan. Antonio then allied himself with the king of Naples by agreeing to pay him an annual tribute, swear subservience to him, and place Milan under the control of Naples.
Once Antonio was in control, King Alonso agreed to make him the duke of Milan and banish Prospero and Miranda. Prospero and his daughter were rushed out of Milan in the middle of the night and carried out to sea on a small ship, where they were left to die. Fortunately, Gonzalo was able to give them rations and some of Prospero's cherished books for the journey. Prospero and Miranda were fortunate enough to reach the island, which Prospero now controls.
What circumstances led to Prospero's exile in The Tempest?
Prospero is unceremoniously ditched as Duke of Milan by a conspiracy involving his brother Antonio. The conspirators believe that Prospero is spending too much time studying the liberal arts—not to mention magic—instead of doing what he's supposed to be doing, which is governing his dukedom.
Prior to his exile, Prospero allows Antonio to manage the dukedom's day-to-day affairs. But Antonio's none too pleased at what he sees as a raw deal. He thinks it incredibly unfair that he should have all the responsibilities that come with being Duke of Milan but without the actual power and authority that the title entails. So he readily agrees to go along with a plot to usurp Prospero and send him into exile.
Prospero will still have his own little dukedom, complete with his own subjects—Ariel and Caliban—but it will be far away from Milan, on a remote little island in the middle of nowhere. At least here Prospero will be able to spend more time with his books and devote more time to honing his magic skills, which he intends to use against the men who removed him from power.
What circumstances led to Prospero's exile in The Tempest?
Prospero is the central character in the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare. He is a powerful magician and a scholar who lives on an island with his daughter, Miranda. Twelve years before the events of the play, he was the Duke of Milan. Then, in an act of betrayal, his younger brother, Antonio, usurped him and took his title and property.
Prospero was exiled because he gave away too much of his power to his younger brother, because he was too interested in books and in magic than in the land he was supposed to be looking after. It was when Prospero had his nose buried in his books, in his extensive library, that Antonio plotted against him, stole his title, and got him kicked out of Italy.
Prospero allowed Antonio to manage affairs of state so that he wouldn't have to and so he'd be able to continue his studies. Antonio was soon influenced by the money and power given to him and began believing he should be the duke. Prospero was so interested in learning new things, particularly learning magic, that he didn't notice his brother plotting against him.
I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
To closeness and the bettering of my mind
With that which, but by being so retired,
O'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother
Awaked an evil nature.
(1.2.89-93)
Alonso, the king of Naples, helped Antonio in deposing Prospero. Antonio and Alonso set Prospero adrift on a boat with Prospero's young daughter, Miranda, and the boat drifted to the island where the majority of the play takes place.
Why is Prospero overthrown in The Tempest?
In act 1, scene 2, Prospero explains to Miranda how they ended up on the magical island twelve years ago. Prospero begins by telling Miranda that he was once the powerful Duke of Milan. As Duke of Milan, Prospero became infatuated with studying logic, grammar, geometry, and astronomy, instead of focusing on politics and running the state. While Prospero was "rapt in secret studies," he entrusted his brother, Antonio, to manage his state and affairs. Antonio excelled in his position by granting his political allies powerful positions while Prospero was off studying by himself. Once Antonio established his authority, he managed to sway to the public in his favor and allied himself with the King of Naples, Alonso. With Alonso's assistance, Antonio successfully usurped power and directed his soldiers to take Prospero and Miranda out to sea, where they abandoned them in a small boat. Fortunately, Gonzalo gave them food, necessities, and Prospero's books on magic before they sailed to the island where they currently reside. Essentially, Prospero was overthrown because his ambitious, conniving brother took advantage of his political authority while Prospero was focused on his studies.
What does exile reveal about Prospero in The Tempest?
In Act I scene 2, which is when Prospero chooses to reveal his background to his daughter, and helpfully to the audience, we learn about the facts of his exile and how he had to leave his kingdom and take up residence on this strange island where the play is set. However, what is clear is that although Prospero has been living on this island for a number of years, and has claimed lordship over it, he still thinks greatly of how he was betrayed by his brother and seeks some way of gaining revenge, or at least some form of redress. Note what he says to Miranda:
Know thus far forth
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspiciouis star, whose influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop.
Prospero recognises that the arrival of the ship with its passengers, including his brother, gives him a chance to change his fortunes. The way he refers to these men as his "enemies" shows he remembers incredibly keenly the experience of being deposed and exiled, and is eager to do something about it. This is why Prospero, using his magical talents, effectively stagemanages the island, bringing his brother to a position where he admits that he regrets exiling his brother, before finally revealing himself and being able to return to his former position with his daughter.
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