Tempest – The lovers are the chief source of hope in the tempest

despite representing hpe te young couple are engaged in love that has been engineered, thus allowing shakespeare to suggest that the hope they embody is not a true emotion. it is a situation controlled by a “power monger”
the most significant source of hope wthin this play is one of the numerous examples of Prospero exerting his power and therefore not truly depicting an accurate representative of a hope for humanity “full control of all romantic elements of the plot”
representing the youth and vitality of the future, Miranda and Ferdinand are the primary source of hope within the Tempest as Shakespeare presents, through their relationship, love in the purest form. critics state that “there is nothing of the kind of poetry equal to the scenes between Ferdinand and MIrnada”
it is the instant compatibility between these two characters that allows them to manifest hope “when at first sight they have changed eyes”
shakespeare’s exploration of the theme of love at first sight through Miranda and Ferdinand not only highlights the depth of their compassion for one another, but also parallels the love bound relationship of romeo and Julliet. “when at first sight they have changed eyes”
with the two star crossed lovers from opposing families, completely lost by their love for one another, initially appearing as an echo to the two lovers within the Tempest it is the contrast between these relationships that allows Shakespeare to present Miranda and Ferdinand as a source of hope rather than mirroring the tragedy of Romeo and JUlliet.
Within the Tempest Shakespeare is re-visiting love at first sight but through design , rather than chance, yet allowing the marriage to become a symbol of healing shown when Alonso addresses Ferdinand and miranda at the end of the play with his blessing “give me your hands;let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart”
Shakespeare has re-kindled the idea explored in Romeo and Juliet yet incorperated a comedic resolution this highlights that despite the tempest exploring many faults in humanity such as betrayal and abuse of power, amid this world of vengance, Mirada and Ferdinand’s marriage sis a symbol of reconciliation and a promise for the future.
In the last scene of the play, shakespeare opens his final debate of the extent of hope to which Miranda and Ferdinand can offer. with the suggestion that the niaveity and the purity of their love will be corrupted by humanity on entering the reality of the world.
miranda’s words throughout the tale have reflected her innocence as she is constantly seeking to view the best in people, as shown when believed “the boat no doubt had some noble creature in her”
yet miranda’s fathers knowledge of the wider world and awareness of the curdity of mankindevokes prospero’s comment of “tis new to thee” in response to his daughter’s niavety and innocence as she marvels at the men arrayed bfore her saying “how beauteous mankind is”
within the last scene there are implications that miranda will learn that people arent really so “beauteous” at all allowing shakespeare to emphasise that even the female who has been viewed as “perfection personified” can escape the faults of human nature, and highlighting Prospero’s awareness that the faults within humanity can corrupt even those who represent a hope for the future.
within act 5 Ferdinand and Miranda metaphorically reduce their parents political fueds over “kingdoms” into a game of chess displaying the conflict for power as merely amusement rather than vengeance.
although Miranda and Ferdinand are in matrimonial harmony by the denoument, their discussion over the game foreshadows the poltical movement they will in encounter in their own future. miranda states that ferdinand will “play false”; which mirrors prospero’s false accusation of treason against Ferdinand in the first act “thou dost here usurp”
Miranda openly admits to complicity in any disloyalty that ferdinand may “for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle, and i would call it fairplay” this remark forecasts that the same ambition, deceit and struggle that marked their parents lives is likely also to be present in their own, suggesting that despite being the primary source of hope within the play, it is almost inevitable that they will suffer the same corruption as the rest of mankind.
despite being underlying faults by the two individuals bound by love, overall they are a source of hope for the future with ferdinand himself emphasising the synonym of miranda’s anme “wonder” allowing shakespeare to alert the audience to Ferdinand’s capacity for admiration
despite ferdinand’s mannerisms of a courtly lover shown through his declartations of love, shakespeare presnets their relationship as far more honest due to the extent of the compassion they hold for each other. “my spirits as in a dream are all bound up”
Ferdinanad and Miranda can be interpreted as courtly lovers, yet courtly love revolves around male idolatry, wheras miranda and ferdinand’s love represents a mutual idolatry, as there is a reciprocal of love within Miranda’s innocence as she offers to “bear his logs a while” “the perfect courtly lovers, fitting all ideas of a fantasy romance”
by cleansing Ferdinand of his sins, shakespeare presents a man who has been metaphorically re-born to match miranda’s innocence and therefore depicts an equality within their relationship with miranda’s “piteous heart” and Ferdinand who has “come out of the water”
It is the lessons the two learn from each other, allowing them to become stronger individuals when they are together than when apart, as there is a change in Ferdinand’s language as he reverts to the sincere approach in response to miranda’s candid honesty, as there is an equal sincerity in their language when she asks “do you love me” and he responds “do love,prize,honour you”
in exploiting language that reflects the wedding vows with a complete equilibrium in affection and honesty shakespeare is presnting the posibility of the utopia that Gonzalo talks of when he dreams of a world where they can “weigh our sorrows with comfort” thus through the character’s of Miranda and Ferdinand shakespeare has materialised Gonzalo’s hopes and desires as through their love they represent balance and harmony.
Prospero has educated Miranda with the hope of returning to Milan in mind, but due to her ………… it is in fact Miranda who teaches Prospero to love others and eventually it is he who learns the greatest lessons of life. “virtue of compassion”
due to Miranda’s innocence and niavety, being void from experiencing the harsh realities oh human nature, miranda represents hope for Prospero as she is a symbol of the capability of the human heart and reveals all the amiable qualities of her father which are unveiled by the end of the play when Prospero understands he no longer desires the power and control he once had “now my charms are all o’erthrown, and what strength I have mines own”
the relationship between Mirnada and Prospero explores the duality of both their characters, as when adopting a didactic manner Prospero’s attitude owards his daughter is severe and demanding “I pray thee mark me!” and in response to this miranda appears obedient and innocent “sir most heedfully”
it becomes apparent Miranda has a core of detemination that is very strong with the ability to express it clearly “my father is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself”
it is two contrasting aspects of miranda’s character that opens the debate with the audience of (critical quote). The ability of miranda to display the qualities of compassion and kindness alongside determination, suggest that these are qualities Prospero must also be capable of, being her only teacher. This evokes hope for the audience for Prospero to emerge as a humble character by the end of the play, and indeed suggest he is capable of a depth of emotion not yet revealed to the audience “is prospero a power monger or a exacor of justice?”
the reciprocal of love betwwen Prospero and Ariel brings hope for “the spirit” as it is the empathy that prospero holds for Areil, as a faithful servant that prevents him from being bound to the same fate as caliban who “must obey” his master due to his slavery
through the relationship between Ariel and Prospero, Shakespeare can explore a new hope for the future of posotive collonialism where the act of servitude is an emphasis on the relative roles within society rather than the negative example of collonialism seen through the disloyalty and decuet between Prospero and Caliban.
through the mirrored language of Prospero and Ariel – shakespeare emphasis the realitive roles between Ariel and Prospero, highlighting the mutual love between master and servant rather than the discontent between master and slave. “My brave spirit” and “my master”
it becomes apparent that this love is largely based on the element of hope that Prospero offers to Ariel, as when ariels hope for freedom is put under threat, the language changes from that of complete submissiveness to definace “since tho dost give me pains”
shakespeare explores the idea that all of Ariel’s hope for freedom is being placed in the power of prosper yet despite the contrast between ariel and caliban, it is in fact through claiban that shakespeare presents the most insightful comments of the reality of the future concealed behind the hope that Miranda and Ferdinand represent caliban described as a “moster” and a “villan”
when talking to Stephano Claiban states……. Caliban is commenting on the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. “when dreaming, the clouds methought would open and riches would drop upon me”
despite Miranda and Ferdinand representing hope, they are a symbol of human desire t=rather than a representation of the reality of society, as there is little honesty and inevitably in the world that the characters hope for where “all things in common nature should produce without sweat of endavourr” due to the corruption of human nature, is an unattainable ambition.
Shakespeare presents through the Tempest, an exploration of numerous glimpses of hope for the future, not only through the lovers but also manifested within Gonzalo an individual who amongst the corruption of his peers attempts to maintain hope.
yet it is not a coincidence that essentially the only depiction of a world where all individuals are equal remains in the desire’s of an optimist thus allowing shakespeare to suggest that due to the “selfish desires of humankind, who throughout their lives have a single ambition to gain power” this ideal of a utopia will remain a fantasy thus never truly become a reality.
evidently the young couple who appear to have defied the social norms of society by entering a love bound relationship, where both counterpoints are equal in their emotions and their authority are a poignant source of hope however shakespeare places them in an environment where all those they have encountered throughout this tale display an inner selfish and corrupt quality, suggesting that due to human nature, it is impossible to reach a compete state of equality.
July 1, 2019