The Tempest raises many questions regarding the formation of authority and power. Is the hierarchy understood as natural or as constructed? Furthermore, what are the consequences if authority is usurped? This article will attempt to answer these questions succinctly using textual references to solidify its arguments. As the play progresses, Prospero builds the hierarchy in such a way as to return things to their "natural" state. Any type of usurpation, whether attempted or successful, will always end with power returning to its rightful place, and in most cases with a lesson learned. The events that take place in the play are all made possible by the original usurpation against Prospero. , the true Duke of Milan by Antonio, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan. The usurpation itself is initially made possible because Prospero has become increasingly fascinated by his library of books, the same books he will later use to take revenge. This is to say that not only are these books primarily the sole cause of Prospero's loss of power, but they are also entirely responsible for restoring Prospero's dukedom, because the magic they grant him gave him the power to do just that. This is an example of how power will always return to its rightful place. As for the usurpation, Antonio (in league with Alonso) decides to overthrow Prospero's dukedom. In exchange for Antonio's homage and tribute, the king raised an army, removed Prospero from his rightful position as duke, and replaced him with Antonio, the new duke of Milan. The work's vision of the natural order was based on the hierarchy of all beings and things. According to this point of view, when the hierarchy was destroyed, disorder and chaos re...... in the center of the card ...... the island. In conclusion, as the play progresses, Prospero builds the hierarchy in such a way as to bring things back to their “natural” state. Any type of usurpation, attempted or successful, will always end with power being restored to its rightful place and, in most cases, with a lesson learned. We have seen that the work, in its entirety, is nothing more than a series of plots conceived (or constructed) by Prospero, to bring things back to their "natural" state; the most notable of which, of course, was the restoration of his duchy. We have also seen that, ultimately, power lies in the hands of the rightful owner. Caliban learns a lesson in his attempt to usurp power from Prospero, and Alonso also learns a valuable lesson even though it had been 12 years since he witnessed Prospero's overthrow. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Storm. New York: Dover, 1999.