The Tempest-Act I

In the play, The Tempest,  the main character, Prospero believes himself to be a banished king that does not have control over his subjects anymore.  However, upon closer observation of the text, one can see that this statement is not entirely true.

Though it is true that Prospero is isolated on an island,  the statement that he is without subjects is a false matter.  Prospero has control of Miranda, Caliban, and Ariel by manipulating history.  This manipulation is parallel to 1984 when the Party manipulates reality by presenting a false view on history.  Prospero manipulates his world through not only magic, which he uses to conjure up a storm, but also through the use of rhetoric, the art of using language effectively.  His historical narration to his daughter, Miranda is one example of this.  Prospero recites history by saying that he and his daughter were cast out of Milan through foul play, "By foul play, as thou sayst, were we heaved thence, But blessedly holp hither."  Through the use of careful wording, he makes it appear that he and his daughter were wrongfully banished from his kingdom, thus swaying the opinion of his naive daughter.  Thus he succeeds in making his daughter pity his status, and wins her loyalty.  Also, Prospero also describes himself rather pridefully, "And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed In dignity, and for the liberal arts Without a parallel." so that he appears as an almost godlike entity, just like how Big Brother is portrayed as an omnipotent being. 

Prospero also displays control over the island by using his rhetoric to his servant Ariel.  "It was mine art, When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape The pine and let thee out." The previous quote describes how  Prospero seems that he was  a savior to Ariel by releasing him out of his torment.  Prospero purposefully tries to bring guilt out of Ariel, and uses Ariel's emotional disarray to his advantage.  This can also compare to 1984, how the Party proclaimed that it released all the citizens from the torturous restraints of capitalism, and transforms the citizens moment of emotional weakness into unwavering loyalty.  Prospero's success in bringing guilt to Ariel helps him control the island because he now has the service of an all powerful spirit to carry out his plans.

Prospero's greatest asset is his skillful use of narratives and rhetoric to bring other beings under his control.  This, along with his endless supply of magic, allows him to constantly alter and manipulate the world around him so that he can carry out his plans of revenge.