Abstract

This paper, entitled "The Tempest: An Analysis of Power and Relationships," discusses the ever-controversial usage of power and qualities of good leadership through the response to an Intellectual Foundations prompt. This prompt addresses William Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" and references Prospero’s relationships with the other characters and how those relationships would presumably affect his life after the play ends. The paper serves in part as a commentary on the role power plays in the widely over-preached yet under-practiced qualities of a good leader. In thinking about real-life examples and textual evidence, the paper analytically examines Prospero’s abuse of power by manipulating others. This manipulation comes back to haunt him and damages his relationships with his presumed supporters. The conclusion that “a successful leader is someone who can connect with, support, listen to, respect, be trusted by, and represent their people” is drawn by examining the qualities of real-life leaders and their use of power as well as the responses of other characters to Prospero. As someone who meets very few of these benchmarks, it is asserted that Prospero would not do better as the Duke of Milan if he were to return and resume power.