The theme of providence is developed throughout The Tempest through cycles of destruction and creation. As stated above, the order of both nature and government is upset by the storm and by Antonio's taking reign away from his brother Prospero. Once Prospero arrives on the island, he shifts the natural order of the island by taking Ariel and Caliban as his unwilling servants. However, as the play continues, these cycles begin to reverse themselves, and this reversal is most evident in the marriage of Ferdinand and Miranda. Ariel and the other spirits preside over the wedding ceremony, and the marriage is thus a natural union. Later, Prospero creates the magical circle in which the crimes of the past are revealed. At this point, the characters repent and social order is restored. Prospero sets Ariel free so that things can return to normal.
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