Characterizing Prospero in 1.2.70-200

             The predominant aura Prospero gives off in Act 1 Scene 2 is one of egotism. He thinks that he is the most intelligent, most powerful, and most important person on the island. To be fair, he probably is. Prospero is in control of everything going on, and he revels in it. Prospero relishes in the telling of his story to Miranda, ensuring that she pays close attention by continually asking, “Dost thou attend me?” (1.2.96). He paints himself as a man above petty affairs of state; he tells of “being transported / And rapt in secret studies” (1.2.94-5). Prospero feels that his knowledge elevates him to a level above others, and by embracing his passion rather than making excuses for his inattention to the state, he shows that he still believes in his power. Indeed, he admits that the books Gonzalo provided him he “prize[d] above [his] dukedom” (1.2.200). He essentially considers his personal knowledge more important than the people he ruled. Prospero refers to Antonio as “The ivy which had hid my princely truck / And sucked my verdure out on ’t” (1.2.105-6). This again shows Prospero’s self-absorption. Trees are often associated with knowledge, and ivy is a type of weed. Prospero creates this image of Antonio sneaking up and choking the life out of him, the life he deserves because of his vast knowledgebase. Prospero continues this metaphor of himself as a tree of knowledge, describing how Antonio “extirpate[d],” or uprooted, him from his dukedom (1.2.149). Throughout his story, Prospero alludes to (or blatantly describes) his intelligence and image of self-importance.  

Prospero may be confident and narcissistic, but there is no denying his cleverness. Perhaps his shrewdest action is accepting some of the blame himself. He admits that by “neglecting worldly ends,” he gave Antonio the opportunity to taste power and foster a desire for more of it (1.2.109). However, his self-deprecation serves almost as a distraction from his own shortcomings. Had Prospero completely blamed his brother for everything and claimed total innocence on his own part, the audience would have been skeptical. They would have begun to analyze his actions and perhaps question his judgments and perceptions. Instead, Prospero comes off as the good guy who was taken advantage of by his conniving brother. The audience sympathizes with him because it sounds like he is partially excusing his brother. Clearly he is not doing any such thing, seeing as he has just raised a tempest to trap Antonio on the island. Furthermore, although he acknowledges his own role in bringing on the usurpation, Prospero still refers to Antonio as traitorous. Prospero shows not only his ego but also his cleverness in this scene.