Antonio in The Tempest: The Significance of Betrayal - Essay

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Summary: The Tempest is Shakespeare's last play, written in the early 17th century. The play features the character Antonio, whose attitude towards power mirrors the political spirit of the time. Renaissance in Europe was a time of political turmoil- treaties were made and broken, and rulers held thrones for progressively smaller stretches of time. Machiavelli, who was still influential in Shakespeare's time, held the viciously ruthless view that power is to be attained by any means. In The Tempest Antonio conspires with the King of Naples and usurps the throne of his own brother Prospero, the Duke of Milan. Later in the story he conspires again, this time against the King of Naples, who was previously his ally. Thus Antonio, involved in schemes to seize power throughout the entirety of the story, is the embodiment of the precarious political balance of the era.

Essay
The Tempest is Shakespeare's last play, written in the early 17th century. It is thought by some critics to have been written in honor the marriage of Lady Elizabeth, daughter of James I, King of England. The play features the character Antonio, whose significance in the play is twofold. Antonio's attitude towards politics and power mirrors the political spirit of the time, which arguably influenced Shakespeare in writing The Tempest. In addition, the storyline of Antonio incorporates subject matter relevant to the personages for which the play was written, possibly reflecting Shakespeare's intent to tailor the play specifically for their interests.

The play relates the story of Prospero, former Duke of Milan, who was usurped by his brother Antonio as part of a conspiracy involving the King of Naples. Antonio had Prospero exiled, along with the latter's daughter, Miranda. They ended up on an island, and this is where the play begins twelve year after the exile. A party of nobles, including Antonio, the King of Naples and his son the Prince become stranded on that same island after a tempest. Antonio, with his history of treachery and usurpation, schemes once again to dethrone a personality in power- this time Alonso, King of Naples. Antonio succeeds in convincing Sebastian, Alonso's brother who is stranded with them, to kill Alonso so that Sebastian may seize the throne.

Renaissance Europe was a time of political turmoil. Treaties were frequently made and broken; rulers held thrones for progressively smaller stretches of time. At the turn of the 15th century, the Italian philosopher Machiavelli wrote his treatises on politics and state affairs. The views he expressed were viciously ruthless; Machiavelli believed in attaining power at any price, by any means. If we may judge by the themes in The Tempest, Shakespeare was influenced by these ideals of Machiavelli's. They are personified in the character Antonio, and manifested in his actions and intents.

Antonio thus becomes that continuously backstabbing character, embodying a real fear that monarchs face. These themes, of betrayal and power struggles are very relevant to the original audience of the play- the idea suggested by The Tempest that they could be dethroned, especially by someone close to them, was certainly unsettling to the King and his daughter. Shakespeare intent was not to be insolent or threatening: the play ends optimistically and peacefully, with Antonio repenting and Prospero forgiving him. If Shakespeare indeed wrote The Tempest for Elizabeth's marriage, her father would have been in the audience; this is perhaps a message from Shakespeare about handling affairs of state (or perhaps conversely, an attempt on Shakespeare's part at flattering His Highness).

Through Antonio's actions, the reader gains insight into two dimensions of the play. Antonio exemplifies the dark political mood of the era, where power is gained by extreme means and held in precarious balance. Finally, the reader receives a glimpse into the mind of Shakespeare, who utilizes very specific themes to create interest for his royal clients.

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Works Consulted
Furness, Horace H. Appendix. The Tempest. By William Shakespeare. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1892. 269-457.

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