Close Reading Essay of The Tempest

In the passage from pages 6-8, (5.1.33-73) of The Tempest by William Shakespeare could be said to mainly use apostrophe, though part of the passage is directed at certain people present in the room. The reader is unable to tell if the spelled beings in the room are able to understand him or not.    

            The first half of the passage is talking to the spiritual beings of earth, which resembles Pantheism. He addresses whatever may reside in nature and is thankful when talking about all the powers that Ariel has bestowed him indirectly. He states all the great things he has done and then turns around to humbly thank them and promises that he is done with his boastful and harmful deeds. Shakespeare’s imagery takes a turn when the tone of the poem is changed repeatedly from awe to criticism and power when commanding the other characters to do his bidding. The tone shifts again when he starts praising Gonzalo’s faithfulness and loyalty almost reverently. There’s another shift as he moves onto his brother, Alonso and Sebastian. Prospero starts out with an angry tone and then starts chastising Antonio which leads to his forgiveness of his brother.