What follows is a brief and incomplete comparison of The Tempest by William Shakespeare and the classic science fiction film Forbidden Planet.
Prospero vs. Morbius
When Prospero referred to his books, he understood what he was doing. When Morbius tapped into the Krell machinery, he only thought he understood what he was doing. Prospero’s backstory is richer. Morbius, on the other hand, has something to learn (and to regret) before the end of his story. Prospero would win in a fight, but it’s easier to relate to Morbius. Winner: Prospero, if only because Shakespeare wrote his dialogue.
Miranda vs. Altaira
Both are only children. Neither has seen a human man besides her father until after the story begins. Both are beautiful. Miranda has been educated by her father; presumably, Altaira was also (unless he hooked her up to the Krell computers, which doesn’t seem likely). Prospero did a better job educating his daughter, but that’s hardly Altaira’s fault. Miranda has a strong sense of propriety, whereas Altaira must figure that out on her own (consequently, she probably had more fun). Miranda is the less offensive stereotype.
Ariel vs. Robbie the Robot
Both serve their masters with their innumerable and immeasurable skills. Morbius made Robbie, and the robot must obey him—there are no conflicts between them. Ariel serves Prospero as part of a bargain made long in the past. Once Ariel has served the purpose Prospero has for him, he will be set free. They have disagreements about the end of their “contract,” so he is more than an appliance. Robbie can do amazing things, manufacturing any material thing anyone could want from nothing. Ariel can’t do that, but he can conjure up a tempest that delivers a direct hit to a particular ship, and then he can see to it that the ship and its passengers are unharmed.
Caliban vs. the Id Monster
Caliban was the son of a witch (Sycorax), and he embodies the basest impulses of humanity. He is manipulative, he lies, and he is resentful. He also provides the play with its best conflicts and plot reversals. Without him, the play is little more than a soap opera without villains. While he isn’t exactly a villain, he’s not the sort of character one would want to spend any significant amount of time with in real life. He is slightly more thoughtful than Morbius’s Id Monster, an invisible beast that wreaks havoc when Morbius sleeps. The Id Monster is violent and uncontrollable, and would easily defeat the weak Caliban in a fight. But the Id Monster is thoughtless and not his own character, being a part of Morbius’s subconscious mind.
Overall, Forbidden Planet isn’t a patch on The Tempest, and comparisons between the two, while common, are also a bit of a stretch. The Tempest really is about the characters, while Forbidden Planet is about the visuals. I know some people don’t think The Tempest should be considered one of Shakespeare’s comedies, and while it isn’t as funny as some of the others, it can’t possibly qualify as a tragedy (no one dies) or a history (it is fiction). And there are exquisitely ridiculous scenes, such as the scene on the ship during the titular storm, in which the noblemen on the ship demand to be treated with respect and gentility by the crew, even as the crew labors to keep the ship under control.
