Act 1 of The Tempest introduces us to the play’s characters and the history behind Prospero and Miranda’s arrival to the island. From the early interactions between the characters, different types of relationships begin to make their presence felt.
For your first response (due Friday, Feb. 2 at 8 a.m.), I want you to pick one of the characters in Act 1 and, in 300-500 words, discuss your first impression of them as well as their relationship to one other character in the play. What can you tell about this character’s role in the play? Where do they fall in the play’s hierarchy? What form of relationship do they have with the other character you have chosen? Consider how this relationship structure fits in with what you know about the play so far, and with the complex relationships that join the characters together. Can you already detect a theme here?
Make sure to give evidence from the play to support your commentary (remember to specify the Act, scene and line number(s) you are referring to (for example, 1.2.74-76).
Add your post as a comment to this post. I encourage you to read other people’s posts as well, and to comment on a couple of them!
In act 1 of The Tempest the character that particularly stood out to me was Antonio and his relationship with Sebastian. Antonio’s character in act 1 gave a bad first impression, he seems to be very power hungry. Sebastian got easily influenced by Antonio. Antonio and Sebastian both play the role of traitors, they both betray their brothers, Antonio was Prospero’s brother and Sebastian was Alonso’s brother. “Sebastian: A pox o’ your throat, you bawling blasphemous, uncharitable dog.” (1,1,40-41) In these lines we can see how Sebastian has a very rude and insensitive character by the comments he is making to the boatswain. He and Antonio both had very insensitive and rude characters, throughout the act they both make rude remarks towards others which proved their insensitivity. The friendship between Antonio and Sebastian later proves their arrogance, when Alonso reacts to the loss of his son and Gonzalo tries to cheer him up, we can see Antonio and Sebastian mock him from the side. “Antonio: We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards. This wide-chopped rascal-would thou mightst lie drowning the washing of ten tides.” (1,1,57-59) Throughout the act, the relationship between Antonio and Sebastian suggests that we have the theme of power. I say this because as I have read throughout the act even after the Prospero gave Antonio full power he still wanted more, he wanted the title of duke. This continues to prove that he was power hungry, in addition it suggests that in the later acts we can predict more fights for power.
Fatima, you quoted one of my favorite lines from Act 1. Shakespearean insults show such a clever and funny way to use language. You also point to a key relationship in the play: that of Sebastian and Antonio. They are both power-hungry and show, so far in the play, no limitation in how far they are willing to go–even if that means Sebastian has to murder his own brother. In mocking Gonzalo as he tries to comfort the king, Sebastian also adds more guilt on his brother by reminding him that if it weren’t for his decision to marry his daughter off, they never would have been at sea and shipwrecked, and his son would still be alive.
In the act 1 of the tempest, the Boatswain is a supporting character in the play, he plays an important role in the opening sequence. The boatswain is in charge of steering the ship and trying to prevent tragedy as the storm hits the ship carrying Alonso, the King of Naples, and other people. The practical and no-nonsense style of the Boatswain is evident from the beginning in (1.1.13-15). Overlooking the social hierarchy that usually comes with having a king on board, he is aggressive and focused on the work at hand. The Boatswain emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the need to deal with an approaching danger when Gonzalo, a nobleman, tries to dictate commands to him. The Boatswain’s practical attitude and his dedication to guaranteeing the crew and ship’s safety are evident in this conversation. Even though he comes out as obedient, the Boatswain’s personality is important for emphasizing the conflict between authority and reality. The way he resists Gonzalo’s attempts to take charge during an emergency highlights the way the play examines power relationships and how unpredictable the supernatural powers involved are. The Boatswain’s small but significant role indicates the chaos that will occur on the island, highlighting how conventional hierarchies may collapse in the face of supernatural and natural difficulties, forcing humans to forge new paths. The role of the Boatswain, despite his brief entrance, establishes the mood for the events that follow and the examination of power relationships on the island. Disregarding social standing during a storm highlights the play’s theme of hierarchy and order being disrupted. In both the political and physical areas, the tempest itself comes to represent disorder and turbulence. The play explores themes of disruption of the established social structure and individuals navigating a world of supernatural forces and political corruption. His aggressiveness in the face of a crisis is indicative of these themes.
Act 1 Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s Tempest introduces two important characters in the play: Prospero and Miranda, his daughter. Prospero, in particular, appealed to me because I initially sympathized with him because he was a duke mistreated by his brother, who eventually overpowered him. However, as he converses with Miranda, Caliban, and Ariel, his character reveals more about his ruthlessness and fixation with power. Throughout the scene, his superiority towards people lower than him is demonstrated, including Caliban and Ariel. His continuous threats to them highlight his poor temper, harshness, and relationship with these characters. Prospero’s part in the play appears to be rather significant, and while he lacks great power, he does wield some control by employing Ariel for magical purposes and causing the storm. It is obvious that there is a reliance and close link between Ariel and Prospero. If Ariel tries to disobey Prospero, he uses threats to keep those inferior to him under his control. As stated in At 1, Scene, 2, Lines 349-351, Prospero says, “If thou more murmurs’t, I will rend an oak. And peg thee in his knotty entrails till. Thou hast howled away twelve winters.” In these lines, Prospero manipulates Ariel by reminding him that he was freed by Prospero and fearing that if he continues to “murmur,” he will harm him. As a result, implying threats he gains some control over the spirit, allowing him to continue to obey his commands. There is a profound link between these characters, but it is also problematic. Ariel appears to be scared and wishes to be free of authority, but Is unable to do so because of Prospero’s help to him. This relationship can strengthen or break during the play, and a theme that is already emerging is power and how are characters are continuously yearning for it. Finally, based on what was seen in this act there will be a perpetual power struggle, which can result in tragedies, as seen evident in many of Shakespeare’s other plays.
We will talk more in class about how many of the characters sort of play with our emotions. Here, you accurately point out that although Prospero initially earns our sympathy, the play is quick in revealing a darker side to him. Does his tragic past justify his harsh treatment of Caliban and Ariel?
In Act 1 of The Tempest, Miranda is introduced as the daughter of Prospero; and as someone who is inquisitive. She constantly asks questions pertaining to her origins, to which Prospero vaguely answers. Miranda’s relationship with Prospero is laced in secrecy, especially because Prospero seemingly evades her inquiries about the nature of how they ended up stranded on the island. Miranda is frustrated by this, telling Prospero that he often “Begun tell me what I am, but stopped and left me to a bootless inquisition, concluding ‘Stay. Not yet’” (1.2. 43-45). Miranda finds it almost futile to ask Prospero about her origins because she understands that he has a tendency to tell Miranda half-truths. Nonetheless, Miranda does respect and cherish Prospero to a degree. For example, she expresses empathy for the stress Prospero must have been under when he was aboard the ship with her baby self: “Alack, what trouble was I then to you!” (1.2. 180-181). Miranda is at odds with what to think about her father. On one hand, he single handedly cared, raised, and nurtured her for 12 years on an almost desolate island. On the other hand, Miranda does not exactly know why she is on this island aside from what Prospero has selectively told her. Miranda and Prospero’s relationship, which is characterized by secrecy and evasiveness, points to a potential theme of cynicism. Her dissatisfaction with Prospero’s evasive answers and partial truths is indicative of mistrust and skepticism. Moreover, the ambiguity surrounding her past creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, fostering a cynical perspective for both the characters and the audience. This theme is made even more complex considering that there is the factor of familial love involved. Bearing in mind Miranda’s relationship with Ferdinand, there could also be a romantic component that diminishes her trust in Prospero.
Great observation on Miranda and Prospero’s relationship. I like that your point of view of their relationship is based on secrecy. Mine was a based on the control that Prospero has over Miranda.
In Act 1 of the tempest what interests me is the father daughter relationship between Prospero and Miranda considering they really only have each other on this Island. Prospero is Miranda’s only authority figure and example of what a man should be. In Act. 1 Sc. 2 Prospero begins to tell Miranda for the first time the full story of how they came to the Island. Miranda listens, fully believing everything her father tells her. In Act. 1 Sc. 2 line 127 Miranda tells her father “Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.” Prospero tells Miranda their story in long bursts of dialogue and Miranda encourages him to go on while listening intently. In Act 1 sc.2 line 220 Prospero announces “Here cease more questions. Thou art inclined to sleep” and Miranda falls asleep right after. This line shows Miranda’s obedience to her father and how she is almost under his control. Since Prospero is Miranda’s only social interaction all she knows of the world is what her father tells her and Prospero has considerable power over his daughter.
Contrastingly after Ferdinand catches Miranda’s eye (considering he is the 3rd man she has ever seen) Miranda starts to disagree with her father more. In Act. 1 sc.2 line 556 Prospero tells Miranda “Speak not you for him. He’s a traitor.” however in like 565 Miranda begs “O dear father, Make not too rash a trial of him. For He’s gentle and not fearful” showing Miranda’s disregard of her father’s warning and how she speaks up for herself for what she believes. Considering what I know about the story thus far, I am curious to see how the dynamic of Prospero and Miranda’s relationship will change and whether or not Miranda stays just as obedient to her father as she was in the beginning. I theorize that as Miranda gets older and more independent she may disobey her father which could cause conflict between the two characters.
I also wonder how Miranda and Prospero’s relationship will evolve in the play. Probably Miranda will have to choose between her father and Ferdinand. I’m looking forward to seeing how it ends.
Miranda is also quite literally under her father’s control! In the scene you mention ( 1.2.219-221), Prospero uses a spell to put her to sleep. Why do you think Prospero would use his magic against his own daughter who hasn’t shown much resistance or rebellion thus far in the play. I also like that you emphasize obedience in your response. We see more than one form of obedience in the first two acts. How does Miranda’s obedience differ from that of Ariel’s and Caliban’s?
The Tempest is full of captivating characters, yet none stands out more to me than Miranda. She is such a naive and sweet girl with a tragic past, making her a unique character in a novel full of power-hungry characters. Early in Act 2, we meet a teenager with a gentle and very compassionate heart, as she says, “O, I have suffered with those that I saw suffer!” (1,2, 5-6). Miranda has spent most of her life on a deserted island with just two other beings: her controlling father Prospero and a monster called Caliban.
Her father, Prospero, has authoritarian control over Miranda. We see that he even controls her destiny. He has been hiding Miranda’s past in Milan and only reveals it to her because she is part of his plan. Over the years, he has molded Miranda into what he wants, and she is blindly loyal to her father. What surprises me is that Prospero sets up the first meeting between Ferdinand and her daughter, saying, “It goes on, I see, as my soul prompts it” (1, 2, 501-502). I can infer that Miranda is a key player in Prospero’s unknown plan.
Miranda’s relationships with men are not ideal. On one side, she has a controlling father whom she loves and respects. On the other, her integrity has been violated by Caliban, who attempted to rape her in order to populate the island with his heirs. Before the incident, they had a good relationship; Miranda even taught him to speak. But Caliban took advantage of her goodness, and she can’t stand him now. As a result, her father makes Caliban his slave. By the end of the second scene, we see that thanks to her father’s control, Miranda finds love in Ferdinand. Ferdinand’s love for Miranda becomes intense, and he talks about making Miranda a Queen, saying, “O, if a virgin, and your affections not gone forth, I’ll make you the Queen of Naples” (1,2, 538-540), which is probably what Prospero wants. But Prospero doesn’t want that to happen yet, so he sees Ferdinand as a threat, and Miranda is caught between both of them, trying to understand her father’s attitude and fix the situation.
In Act two, Miranda represents the goodness in a story of manipulation and power, where she is able to find romance, but probably not one that would have a happy ending.
My favorite characters in Act 1 of The Tempest are Prospero and his daughter, and their close relationship through which he has shared his life story after spending twelve years stuck on a desolate island with his daughter Miranda, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, tells her that he raised the storm using magic while ensuring no one on the ship was hurt. Then, he describes to her how his brother Antonio worked with Alonso, the king of Naples, twelve years prior, to seize Prospero’s dukedom and cast him and Miranda out to sea, where they stumbled across the desolate island that is now their home. (1.1. 15-25) I believe it was crucial to explain to her the backstory as it provided her with context for what had transpired. Prospero looks protective and compassionate based on the tone of his speech, yet the term “magic” also casts us in a surreal frame of mind. However, if we look closely at his face, there is a crucial moment in his tale where we can see the rage in his eyes. In Act 1 of Tempest Prospero states ” My brother and thy uncle, called Antonio- I pray thee, mark me that a brother should be so perfidious!” (1.2. 84-85) Given that Prospero was fervent about being a Duke and that his brother Antonio had taken over his realm, it is clear from his tone that he felt deceived and guilty about it. Subsequently, Antonio marched to Milan, demanding that his brother Prospero leave the city. Furthermore, I believe that Prospero harbors resentment towards his brother Antonio, who rose to prominence as the Emporer while Prospero was focused on his political studies after reading the whole act, However, Prospero reveals that he eventually lost interest in politics and focused more and more on his studies, ignoring his responsibilities as duke. The theme that I can indicate after putting the act together would be the betrayal that he got from his brother.
Act one of The Tempest details Prospero, a Duke of Milan, and Miranda, his daughter. The betrayal of Prospero’s brother Antonio and the King of Naples leads to them getting stuck on a remote island. Prospero uses magic to live comfortably on the deserted island where he has Caliban, a servant, and everyone in fear. Prospero does all he can to protect his daughter Miranda. The son of the king of Naples, Ferdinand, survives and comes on the isle. When using a spirit, Ariel, Prospero summons Ferdinand to him. After talking and seeing Ferdinand’s worry for his fellows, Prospero calls him a “goodly person” (1.2.496) and soon doesn’t trust him because he could be a “spy” (1.2.549). This parallel questions Prospero’s character; he could be worried because he is the one who should not be trusted. He does spells on people to make them do whatever he wants. The lack of trust could be because he’s very cautious and hiding something. When Miranda tells her father about the feelings she’s getting towards Ferdinand, her father disapproves, maybe because he doesn’t like that he has so much knowledge and could use that as power. Ferdinand mentions that Miranda could be the “Queen of Naples” (1.2.540). This could be seen as a threat to Prospero because all he does is protect Miranda, and Ferdinand would be taking her away. Prospero constantly thanks Ariel for the wreck of his brother’s ship because hearing about Ferdinand’s pain satisfies him. The theme that comes across is Prospero doing anything to get revenge and how it can backlash on his daughter. He is manipulating everyone because he is calling Ferdinand an “imposter” (1.2.581) even though he is only there because Prospero guided him there. It’s interesting how Prospero seems to be both a victim of his brother’s betrayal and a manipulative sorcerer who uses his powers for revenge. He is overprotective of Miranda, which could be seen as a fatherly trait, or he could be wary of anyone who could threaten his plans. This raises questions about Prospero’s motives and whether he is truly a fair and just character.
Jeanice, you bring out a great point here: why would Prospero feel threatened by Ferdinand wanting to make Miranda the queen of Naples? If anything, as the true Duke of Milan, that should make him happy.
I also like how you picked up on the doubleness of Prospero’s character; he is both a victim and an aggressor. It’s difficult to feel bad for him given the way he treats not just his enemies, but Caliban and Ariel.
In Act 1 of “The Tempest,” the character who caught my attention was Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. Miranda appears to be innocent and pure, due to her upbringing on the remote island with her father. One characteristic I found interesting about her character is her relationship with Prospero, mainly due to the authoritarian style of parenting he presented and the relationship dynamic they have. In Act 1, Scene 2, Miranda shows her deep love and respect for her father by trusting him completely and listening to his stories about their past, “When thou didst not, savage, Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like A thing most brutish, I endowed thy purposes, With words that made them known.” (1.2.36-39). In this portion of the act, we can comprehend that Miranda is reminiscing about how Prospero taught her language and understanding when she was little. This shows their close bond and how Prospero impacted her as both a parent and a teacher. However, in their relationship dynamic, Miranda is seemingly below Prospero but still holds significance to him as his daughter. She relies on him for guidance and protection. Despite her innocence, Miranda demonstrates resilience and intelligence while navigating the challenges of the island. The relationship between both father and daughter creates an environment for themes such as family and loyalty. Miranda’s sheltered upbringing contrasts with her desire to explore the world. This tension between her loyalty to her father and her want for freedom will help foster her character development throughout this play. In short, Miranda becomes an essential character as her connection with Prospero influences “The Tempest” story. While also conveying themes of innocence, loyalty, and the pursuit of independence via her interactions with her father.
The character that stuck out to me while reading Act 1 was Miranda. My first impression of her is that she is very limited in her knowledge and worldview, in the sense that most if not all of what she knows was taught to her by her power-hungry father Prospero, and through what she had seen on the island herself (which was transformed in Prospero’s vision). Additionally, she seems to be very innocent and compassionate, as when she worried for the lives of those in the storm her father caused (1.2.1-13). Miranda’s relationship with her father then is very significant to her as she puts her wholehearted trust into him and doesn’t doubt his words, which can be seen by her enrapturedness and amazement at her father finally discussing their past in its entirety (1.2.41-219). This tells me that at least for now, she would believe and do anything Prospero told or asked of her, which could lead to trouble once Prospero continues to follow through on the plans he has for those who are shipwrecked on the island. Because Miranda is easy to manipulate due to her trust in her father, Prospero clearly will have no qualms about using her as a piece in his bigger game of reclaiming the power he once had.
At the end of the Act, we also see her fall in love at first sight with Ferdinand, which continues to add to the gullible and innocent mind she has due to having no real-world experience. Although Prospero acts as though he doesn’t support this, he also wouldn’t allow this at all if he truly did not want this to happen on some level, as with Caliban who Prospero claims attempted to force Miranda to sleep with him (1.2.417-418). Prospero is thus fairly in control of Miranda’s life and intends to use it for his own gain, while she just sees her father as the person she should always trust. In the play’s hierarchy, Prospero as a duke is on top and as of now in control of everything on the island, especially since he also possesses magic. He wants complete control and obedience from those around him as seen through his actions and words with Ariel and Caliban. Miranda then, especially with her lack of knowledge, is simply a pawn in his game. From what I know so far, this relationship structure fits in with the play well as many of the characters don’t realize Prospero’s power and intelligence. One of the major themes I detect here is the fight for control and power on the island. While I believe the other characters will go against Prospero, it will probably be in ways he was already plotting to happen, and in a way that will benefit him, but maybe his authority will begin to crumble at some point as not all hierarchies are as strong as they seem.
Great analysis of the relationship between Miranda and her father! It makes sense to me that part of the reason she immediately fell in love with Ferdinand is her innocence. After all, he is the first man she meets apart from her father and Caliban. I guess it also helps that he’s young and handsome! Why do you think he also fell in love with her at first sight? Surely, he’s met other young women.
In the Act I of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, I was very impressed with Prospero, and the relationship between he and his daughter Miranda. The father-daughter relationship between Prospero and Miranda is characterized by layers of complexity and emotional depth. Prospero, as a father, exhibits a blend of tenderness and rigor. He is deeply invested in Miranda’s well-being, education, and moral development, highlighting his dual role as a protector and educator. His decision to reveal to Miranda their family history and the circumstances leading to their life of isolation on the island serves multiple purposes. On one level, it is a father sharing a painful past with his daughter, seeking empathy and understanding. On another, it is an educator instilling values, imparting lessons of resilience, justice, and the importance of knowing one’s history to navigate the future(1.2.16-21). This conversation not only strengthens their bond but also sets the stage for Miranda’s understanding of her father’s complexities and the broader context of their existence.
Within the hierarchical structure of “The Tempest,” Prospero unequivocally occupies the apex, particularly within the confines of the island’s domain. His mastery over magic enables him to control and manipulate the natural elements, from inclement weather to the very flora of the island. Furthermore, Prospero’s dominion extends to sentient beings—Ariel, the airy spirit, and Caliban, the son of a witch, both of whom he commands to fulfill his bidding. Through Ariel, Prospero executes plans of retribution and reconciliation, while Caliban represents the darker aspects of subjugation and resentment (1.2.355-359). Yet, despite his apparent omnipotence, Prospero is a figure marked by internal conflict and solitude. His experiences of betrayal and loss have engendered a profound sense of isolation, which, paradoxically, is both alleviated and exacerbated by his control over others.
The relationship between Prospero and Miranda is more than just a dad and daughter. It shows ideas about rule, freedom, and what’s right or wrong with having power. Prospero looks after Miranda by keeping her safe, teaching her, and sometimes making her do what he wants. This is like how he deals with others on the island and nature. The mix of power and kindness, control and doing good things, shows how the story looks at power, what it means to be human, and the tough questions about ruling and fairness. “The Tempest” thinks deeply about power, leading others, and how people always try to understand and be in charge, using Prospero’s stories and connections.
The first act of “The Tempest” has a lot of different themes. Such as power, control, revenge, and father-daughter relationships. Prospero, the main character of the play, seeks revenge against his brother Antonio and Alonso, the King of Naples, for their betrayal and usurpation of his dukedom. The ship and Prospero and Miranda’s distant island are chaotic and uneasy during the storm. One of the things that stood out to me was that Prospero uses his magical power to control Arial, the ugly creature called Caliban, and all the evil things, but it was all to protect his daughter Miranda. Even though Prospero seems evil, Prospero is a loving parent like any other parent. He has protected Miranda on the island for 12 years, and his motivation for doing things like summoning the storm is to exact revenge on those who have wronged him and put Miranda’s future in danger. This proves that parents will always be parents and make sure to protect their kids from all the evil. Act 1 sc. 2 (85–95) Prospero reveals to Miranda that he was once the Duke of Milan, a position of great power and authority. Antonio, his brother, betrayed him by conspiring with Naples King Alonso. Antonio took over as Duke and abandoned Prospero and Miranda to die at sea in a leaky boat. All his experience makes him aggressive and motivates him to be protective of his daughter.
In Act 1 of The Tempest, written by Shakespeare, Prospero, former Duke of Milan and magician, immediately captured my attention. Living on a mysterious Mediterranean island with his daughter Miranda, Prospero’s character becomes intriguing and interesting to learn more about due to his need of wanting to protect and control others, including his own daughter.
Throughout Act 1, Prospero’s huge love for Miranda is undeniable. Prospero acknowledges the importance Miranda has had in his life, and how she has helped him keep going, stating: “Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaving…” (1.2.185). In the previous quote, Prospero expresses his gratitude to Miranda, highlighting their emotional connection.
Although Prospero’s love for this daughter is immense, it comes with an undeniable desire for control. Prospero constantly hides the truth from Miranda by lying about their past, true identities, and the fact that Prospero is bigger than what he seems. In Prospero’s words, “Who Art ignorant of what thou art” (1.2.20). In the previous quote, Prospero highlights her lack of knowledge.
While on the surface it might seem like Prospero simply wants to protect his daughter, as we dig a little deeper, we start to learn the dark truth. It is likely that Prospero does not see Miranda as an independent individual with her own thoughts and ideas, but rather as a possession that needs to be protected. Prospero’s actions, which are disguised as simply paternal actions, are contributing to a complex relationship between Prospero and Miranda.
Prospero not only demonstrates his desire for control over Miranda, his own daughter, but also over Ariel, a spirit servant to Prospero. Prospero promises Ariel freedom, but only if he follows Prospero’s orders precisely. “Thou shalt be free, As mountain winds: but then exactly do, All points of my command” (1.2.610). This shows Prospero’s desire of exercising control over those around him, including his daughter Miranda, which leads me to believe he has an inclination towards authoritarianism.
After reading Act 1 of “The Tempest”, I was LOST in Shakespeare’s writing style. However, from what I know so far, the play is a mix of politics, romance, and magic. There are many characters introduced in this act. One of the characters that caught my eye is Miranda. She is introduced at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 2. Miranda is portrayed as compassionate. At the beginning of Act 1 Scene 2, where Miranda sees the shipwreck passengers being toyed with the storm. The line “Had I been any god of power, I would Have sunk the sea within the earth, or ere It should the good ship so have swallowed, and The fraughting souls within her” Fully expresses her compassion and worries about their well-being(1.2.1-13). As the play goes on, we can see Miranda is also naive and love idealist. This is demonstrated at the end of Act 1 Scene 2 where Miranda first sees Ferdinand. Miranda immediately falls in love with Ferdinand and describes him as “Nothing natural”. Miranda even begs her father not to be harsh on Ferdinand, because she believes Ferdinand is her “Divine”(1.2.490-610). The last important characteristic I see across all lines between Miranda and her father is that she is obedient to her father. Combining all the characteristics I see in Miranda and her father’s actions from Act 1, I can predict that Miranda will be used by her father as a puppet to regain his power by marrying his daughter to the prince of Naples since I know “The Tempest” is about power and revenge”
Shakespearean language can be so tricky to understand! It’s like a puzzle that needs close examination. Did you find that the notes help? As we move through the play, you will find that you are able to more quickly understand the meanings of new words and strange sentence combinations.
What does it say about Prospero that he’s willing to use his own daughter for his secret plan? Your post also made me think about whether or not Prospero sees any difference between his daughter and Ariel and Caliban. Sure, he’s not as mean to her, but how far would he be willing to go if she decides to disobey him?
In Act 1 of The Tempest, a character I found most interesting was Prospero. He strikes me as a very revenge-driven person who thinks highly of himself and his abilities. Prospero is on top of the hierarchy on the island as he displays dominance over the characters. It is essential to his character and reflects his strong desire for revenge.
His relationship with Ariel is a prime example of this. Even with Ariel’s magical abilities (that seem to overpower Prospero’s abilities) Ariel still listens to his commands and even seeks his approval. When Prospero calls upon Ariel for an update on the storm and Ariel asks for her liberty(freedom) “My liberty.. Remember I have done thee worth service, Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, served without or grudge or grumblings. thou did promise to bate me a full year”(1.2.292-298). Ariel’s pleas to Prospero highlight the dependence she has. This connects to a larger theme of power and control specifically the power of Prospero and this can be displayed further when Prospero responds to Ariel’s pleas. “Dost thou forget from what torment I did free thee?..Thou liest, malignant thing. Has thou forgot The foul witch sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop? Hast thou forgot her?”(1.2.299-300, 308-310). Prospero is able to reinforce his control and dominance over Ariel by manipulation. He reminds Ariel of the past and how he helped her from her suffering. Acting as her “ultimate savior” that she needs to be thankful for, he uses this to keep her doing the tasks he wants and as the reason for not giving her such freedom.
I’m curious to see how things are to unfold once Ariel no longer feels an allegiance towards him and realizes she can overpower Prospero. Could she possibly team up with Calliban? Or the others on the ship?
Jennisa, you make a great point here. Prospero obviously needs Ariel and his magic, so why doesn’t Ariel rebel and use his powers against Prospero? What does this say about the master-slave relationship that Prospero holds over Ariel?
It is hard to focus on any other character than Prospero due to his strong presence in the first act. We get introduced to the background stories, their arrival on the island and how Prospero treats the people in his life. His interaction with other characters include Miranda, his daughter, Antonio, his brother, Ariel, his servant and Caliban, also his servant. My first impression of Prospero is his type A personality of being head-strong, determined and loyal. He prioritizes his king duties more than anything. However, I do believe he enjoys being a father and that is the relationship I will be taking a closer look at. We find out very early on that Prospero is not Miranda’s biological father, but that does not discourage him from being her dad and loving her deeply. During the storytelling of what Prospero’s brother did to him, Prospero explained how he and Miranda were abandoned in the ocean. She immediately felt remorse of being a burden to her dad, but he reassured her by saying “Oh, cherubim thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile Infusèd with a fortitude from heaven, when I have decked the sea with drops full salt, under my burthen groaned; which raised in me an undergoing stomach to bear up against what should ensue” (1.2.182-188). He explained that her and her smile were the only reason to keep him going and that her survival was all he wanted. We are continuously showed how authoritative Prospero is to everyone else, but not his daughter. She is his soft spot and we are proven this again with their interactions with Caliban, “Thou most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have used thee, Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee In mine own cell till thou didst seek to violate The honor of my child” (1.2.412-418). He took care of Caliban and they learned to trust each other until Caliban tried to rape Miranda. Prospero commended him to live in a cave rather than on the island Caliban’s mother left him because of how harmful he was towards his daughter. Out of fear, Caliban obeys. Prospero is evidently hardcore, his daughter seems to warm his heart the way being a king does.
I like how you focused on Prospero’s love for Miranda. It’s often easy to overlook that given his harshness towards other characters, and his manipulation of Miranda at times. I’m curious, what made you deduce that he is not Miranda’s biological father? Let’s talk about this in class!
After reading Act 1 of Shakespeare’s Tempest, the characters which stood out to me were Prospero and his relationship with his brother, Antonio. My first impression of Prospero was an honest, caring father to Miranda; who was unfortunately a victim to a poor family relationship/situation. Prospero portrays himself to put his family first, and entrust in them. For example, Prospero stated “Through all the signories it was the first, And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed In dignity, and for the liberal arts Without a parallel. Those being all my study, The government I cast upon my brother And to my state grew strange.” (1.2.71-76) I have gathered that Prospero had been taken advantage of by Antonio due to the fact that he entrusted him too much. This allowed Antonio to slowly and sneakily take authority over him as Prospero was focusing on himself, and probably not worrying much about Antonio. I suspect there will be a dramatic meeting between Prospero and Antonio later in the play where Prospero seeks revenge. I believe this because of the powers Prospero has with his magic, as well as (justifiably) how he speaks about Antonio. For example, Prospero says to Miranda “Mark his condition and the event. Then tell me If this might be a brother.” (1.2.116-117) Prospero, although being overthrown, is a centerpiece of the play as many other characters revolve directly around him. He is at the top of the list of the play’s character hierarchy, and his actions will be extremely important to monitor. Prospero holds authority and power over the characters of the island he is currently on, and this leads me to believe that he will work his way back into Milan. A theme I can detect already is betrayal and revenge from Prospero and Antonio’s relationship.