In The Tempest how is human understanding of, and relationship with the natural world presented?
             In The Tempest, the natural world is presented in a variety of ways through different characters. Prospero has the ability to control nature through his education and the use of Ariel and the teachings of Caliban. Caliban himself represents nature as he is seen by many to be a product of nature. It is fair to view him as being a native on the island as it all he grown to know. Miranda, Prospero's daughter is a product of his renaissance education. He is able to control her through his patriarchal status. In the opening scene we see that nature has the ability to override hierarchy. All of the Europeans have different initial perspectives towards nature however towards the end of the play, they all seem to change. Gonzalo is the only European with a different perspective on nature. His ideal world is eutopic. In The Tempest, the island is enchanted and is set to look normal, untouched and uninhabited, however it is a new world, that is of the supernatural bodies and acts.
             Almost immediately, during the opening scene of the play, the natural world is presented to be more powerful and dominative over human civilization. As Prospero controls nature, in this case it is the storm (the tempest), it tends to override class and hierarchy as the Boatswain, who represents a lower class citizen, cares not about status of himself and the king or those present on board. He soon becomes the one with the power most capable to deal with the storm. 'You mar our labour. Keep your cabins – you do assist the storm...When the sea is. Hence! What cares these roarers for the name of the king?'
             Prospero represents the European colonist. Prospero controls nature through magic, and in this ability he is able to control everyone on the island. He has power over the spirit Ariel who represents the elements of nature (earth, wind, fire, wat...