Prospero is able to manipulate the few people around him by telling historical narratives. He goes to tell Miranda, his daughter, of how they both came to be there on the island. Since, Miranda cannot remember much from 12 years ago Prospero is able to give Miranda the only version of a story which she will take as the truth. They live with no one like them and because of their bond she will most likely take the side of her father. He sends an emotional appeal when stating that "he whom next thyself of all the world I loved..." just to trigger how close Prospero was to Antonio.
With Caliban, who was living on the island before Prospero arrived with Miranda, he tells him how he and Miranda helped him pick his self up. But, when Caliban starts to talk back Prospero responds with, "I must once in a month recount what thou hast been, which thou forget'st." Meaning Prospero will, every month, remind Caliban of how he was just a servant with no mother, thankfully rescued by Prospero. Just recalling this story every month to one person to "put them in his place" shows just how hard Prospero is trying to guilt Caliban into not retailiating in any way. Then bring in Prospero's magic that thoroughly scares Caliban gives more leverage to Prospero to make, well more so force, Caliban into doing whatever he says to do.
As for manipulated the spirit Ariel, Prospero is able to use the fact that he rescued him from a hollow pine tree in which he was locked in for twelve years. He would have stayed there if it were not for Prospero. So, in a way Prospero did help Ariel get freedom. It was just freedom from being locked up in a tree. Although, he now must act as a slave from Prospero. Again, Prospero is able to guilt Ariel into to staying around and doing things for him, because without him he would not be allowed or even capable to do anything.
Prospero will not let any of the people he has control over to let out of his grasp. Nor, will he ever let them forgot how they came to be where they are, apparantly, saved by him to live a better life than before even if it is under his orders.
i totally agree with you. Prospero creates these stories that are most of the time not true. He tells his only daughter what i'm sure are lies, in the reasoning for them being to the secluded island. And he is constantly tell poor Ariel that he needs to be grateful for he set him free. I wouldn't even consider Ariel "free" because hes under Prospero's rule. So sad. I also think he is going to use Ferdinand to get his dukedom back. He knows that Ferdinans "loves" his daughter so i'm guessing that hes going to make him his slave to prove himself worthy of Miranda. I liked what you said about Prospero not letting anyone forget how he helped them and how they have a better life. So true, he is always telling Ariel and Caliban that he saved them, and that their lives are so much better thanks to him. Crazy guy.
ReplyDeleteAlicia your response on the first act featured in Shakespeare’s The Tempest is an accurate view of Prospero’s behavior to the character’s attributed in the play. You illustrate through the employment of quotes how Prospero manipulates characters of all demeanors, from his daughter Miranda to slaves such as Ariel. This enlightens his conduct in order to achieve what he desires, even at the cost of telling a skewed historical narrative. I too enjoyed your structure to effectively share your opinion on this issue. Your ability to make separate paragraphs per person manipulated by Prospero allows the reader to digest the evidence presented. It too gives the opportunity to see how he equally influences them regardless of their position in his life. He doesn’t have mercy on those who share the same blood as him in comparison to those who he sheds the blood of. Your structure exemplifies this well and validates your assertion. Additionally your ability to incorporate quotes doesn’t only help achieve evidence to make your argument effective but gives the writing flow. The quote placement is well done and eliminates choppy syntax. These small but crucial writing techniques have been integrated into your analysis and as a result give your position on the topic more depth and respect. In addition I agree with your position made in your concluding paragraph, which ends the response well. Prospero’s unwillingness to give up power and instead will mind rape all those around him to provide assurance of his power. To do this he plays whatever role is needed to make the influenced believe him and show empathy. As a result, he gains sympathy and control, the weakness of the human heart gives him the power to control their rights to freedom. As a whole I believe you conducted your argument well on the first act and supported your assertions effectively.
ReplyDeleteVery clearly organized and easy to understand:)I like that you point out how he uses emotional manipulation to control every person. With Miranda it was the eloquent story of how the brother he loved so much betrayed him. And at the same time he portrays himself as this heroic ruler. But she has no way of verifying this story as you stated. He tried to pull at her heart strings in order to gain her sympathy and loyalty. Which is one of the signs of emotional abuse lol can I get a know more rep. up in here! I enjoyed how you said that he is going to remind Caliban every month how helpless he was before Prospero came along that’s just definitely messed and persuades him that he is dependent on Prospero and must be obedient and if that was not enough magic was another threat of disobedience. Finally for Ariel it was the “I saved your life and you owe me” card. He would not let him go free on the basis that he freed Ariel . This was definitely a contradiction in itself but Prospero somehow manages to turn I around so Ariel felt guilty. This guy was skilled. So yes you did well with finding evidence within the text and proving your point:) Id like you now to direct your attention to the fact that bagely said “mind rape” made me laugh but I think the phrase is fitting he took their minds and forcefully shoved in whatever he wanted them to think. Now doesn’t that sound like fun? not.
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