Hayley Lazzari “The Tempest”IRE-Quarter 4
Cast into the sea by a traitorous brother and his accomplices[h1], Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, are forced to abandon their life in Milan and begin anew on a deserted island[h2]. Twelve years after they are stranded, William Shakespeare picks up their story when Prospero’s betrayers become shipwrecked [h3]off the coast of their little island in his play The Tempest. This play is chalk full of memorable moments as the plot twists and turns, leaving the reader craving answers and explanations. However, the most memorable moment occurs when Ferdinand and Miranda decide to wed. The passage reads:
Ferdinand: Wherefore weep you?
Miranda: At mine unworthiness that dare not offer
What I desire to give, and much less take
What I shall die to want. But this is trifling;
And all the more it seeks to hide itself,
The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning!
And prompt me, plain and holy innocence!
I am your wife, if you will marry me;
If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.
Ferdinand: My mistress, dearest;
And I thus humble ever.
Miranda: My husband, then?
Ferdinand: Ay, with a heart as willing
As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand.
Miranda: And mine, with my heart in't; and now farewell
Till half an hour hence.
This passage is a segment of the rising action in the play. This relationship is the point when the two different parties intersect for the first time[h4]. It serves the piece as a wholeby creating a reason for the opposing sides to intermingle[h5]. If Ferdinand and Miranda had never met, the shipwrecked men may have never explored the island for their missing comrade. This would mean that they would have never met Prospero and his servants, which is the instance that the play reaches its climax[h6]. Therefore, the passageserves to push the storyline along toward the climax and the eventual resolution that works out in favor of all parties.
Also, since this passage represents a metaphorical bridge being forged between Prospero and his long lost associates, it works to further the theme of the play. Throughout Shakespeare’s tale, there are many situations that seem completely irreparable. Such situations include: Ariel[h7] being stuck in his tree, the shipwreck and thunderstorm for the boat passengers, and Prospero being banished from his city [h8]by his own brother. However, all of these dilemmas work out in the end, no matter how insurmountable they may seem, due to the determination of the people involved. This lesson is the theme of the play. The scene with Ferdinand and Miranda above adds to this theme because it represents the solution to the biggest conflict of all: the rift between Alonso[h9] and Prospero. Prospero worked for years to bring those men to his island, and, due to his determination, he was able to solve his incorrigible situation[h10] and return to his former glory.
This passage serves many purposes in the play, but what makes it so effective? First, Shakespeare uses such powerful diction in this section that the reader really feels the genuine passion between the two lovers. Phrases such as “with a heart as willing as bondage e’er of freedom” and “I’ll die your maid” make the passage much more credible emotionally. Secondly, the way that Shakespeare bonds the two groups is such a huge contrast to the past events that put them all in their current situations. Prospero and Miranda were cast out because a bond of brotherly love was broken. However, the bridge between Prospero and his brother was then forged again out of a new love[h11]. This contrast is extremely ironic, which Shakespeare uses in his favor. Finally, it is so effective because it is what the reader wants to see. Every reader wants a happy ending and finds themselves hoping for Ferdinand and Miranda to pull through. Shakespeare obliges, which gives his tale the final wrappings of a wonderful gift.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare is full of notable instances, but the instance when Miranda and Ferdinand decide to wed is a moment that furthers the plot, helps establish a theme, and really hits home with the reader emotionally. Everyone adores a well-written love story, and Shakespeare writes a great one with a little magic and mystery mixed in for good measure.
[h1]His brother is Alonso and his accomplices are Sebastian and Antonio, evil men that eventually plan to kill Alonso for power
[h2]They only survive because they are helped by Gonzalo, who is also on the ship with Alonso and the others
[h3]Prospero causes the shipwreck using his magic books
[h4]Once again at Prospero’s doing
[h5]Prospero is orchestrating a big meeting for the two groups in the end, which is when he will finally get his revenge for his exile and eventually his reinstated dukedom
[h6]The climax occurs when Prospero finally gets everyone in one place on his own terms and reveals himself to the shipwrecked men
[h7]Ariel is Prospero’s faithful servant that Prospero rescued from a tree in which he was imprisoned
[h8]He was originally the duke of Milan
[h9]As previously stated, Alonso is Prospero’s brother who is now the king of Milan
[h10]He used his magic powers to orchestrate the meeting
[h11]The contrast resonates strongly with readers that can sympathize with Prospero