Freedom and Servitude in the Tempest: A Theology of Grace

Abstract

The Tempest is unusual in its epilogue. Instead of the actor stepping forward to discard his role and ask approving applause, he maintains his role as Prospero and draws the audience into the fictional realm of the play. It is the audience who will decide what happens next: they can keep Prospero on the island or send him on to Naples. Because he has pardoned his deceiving enemy he claims that it would be unjust ' to dwell in this bare island by [the audience's] spell' (5.1.326). He asks for release.