Analysis of Prospero

In act one, scene two, lines 70-200 of The Tempest, the protagonist, Prospero, makes himself out to be a victim of cruel betrayal and a loving father who is dedicated to his literature. Prospero explains to his daughter, Miranda, the reason why they live on an abandoned island is because they were forced out of Milan by Prospero's brother, Antonio. According to Prospero, Antonio viewed him as unfit to be the king because of his obsession with his books, so he banished him and Miranda from Milan. Prospero constantly stresses how cruel and deceitful his brother's actions were  to seem victimized by him in order to gain sympathy from the audience. He claims that the people of Milan loved him very much, and that he was a perfectly capable leader. Prospero seems to not want to take any blame for his banishment, not even considering the idea that perhaps what Antonio did was justified. He also repeats to Miranda that he loves her more than anything in the world, and that her smile kept him determined to survive when he would have otherwise given up. This portrays the idea that Prospero is an incredibly loving father who would do anything for his daughter. Prospero's main goal during this section of the play is to gain sympathy from the audience by making himself out to be an innocent victim of betrayal and showing that he is an adoring father.