Notes 3
Theme: Master and Servant; Ruler and Minion
Summary:Â The idea of a ruler, master, leader or simply a being with power over another being is omnipresent in this story. From the first scene in which Sebastian and Antonio ridicule a boatswain they deem as lower, to Miranda constantly needing her father's approval, to Prospero's control over Ariel and Caliban, the theme of master and servant is an important aspect that provides the backbone to the conflict of Prospero's dethroning and vow for vengeance. It is because of this thirst for power did Antonio steal the crown from his own brother Prospero before exiling him from Milan, likewise did Sebastian consider overthrowing his brother Alonso to be the ruler of Naples. This sense of superiority, however, did not only apply to rulers but to those seeking power as well, as can be observed via the excitement that Stephano and Trinculo, both servants to Alonso, experienced at the possibility of ruling the island in which the story takes place, meanwhile dehumanizing poor Caliban.
SparkNotes Excerpt:Â In the Themes, Motifs and Symbols section of Sparknotes, my selected them of ruling and power is discussed in similar terms. When Caliban tells Stephano that only slaying the current king of the island separates him from the throne, Stephano becomes excited at the idea of for once being a ruler himself. This feeling is also present in Trinculo, knowing he will become Stephano's right-hand man in the process. However, SparkNotes discusses this desire to be found in Gonzalo as well, which I did not take much notice of, but is evident via Gonzalo's visions of a utopian society established on the island (Sparknotes; 'Themes, Motifs and Symbols').
Comparison: Stephano and Trinculo ruling the islands for themselves was what I had most in common with Sparknotes, While we both stated of the omnipresence of ruler and ruled, this idea is most discussable when applied to Stephano and Trinculo because they were only servants at the start of the story but soon became eaten with the idea of ruling the island themselves. On the contrary, Gonzalo and Sycorax were also discussed on Sparknotes as having their possibilities uncapped as well. I did, however, discuss of Antonio's and Sebastian's selfish intentions to dethrone others of their crowns and of Caliban's poor treatment from Stephano and Trinculo, which goes to show how the desire for power and minions can cause individuals to make unrighteous actions.
