Post on 17-Jun-2020
THE TEMPEST – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Amir Hashemi Pour
THE TEMPEST Human condition & Personal Growth
Topic sentences: 1. Our ability to discovery ourselves and the world around us may change as we mature and
gain personal wisdom.
2. The aging process allows individuals to gain new perspectives on situations and events as
values change.
3. Traumatic situations can lead the individual to discover hidden personal strengths and
resources they may never have realised they have possessed.
Prospero/Miranda/Ferdinand: ● One aspect of self-discovery is Prospero’s discovery of hidden humanity and his ability to
forgive
● As the play progresses, Prospero undergoes a gradual transformation initiated by various
events, eventually coming to discover his morality and rediscovering his humanity
● Self-discovery and character growth with Alonso who is most affected by Prospero’s plan
for the men to learn a lesson and repent
● Quote Technique Effect
‘I will play them all, even to
roaring’ ~ Prospero Metaphor,
intense
imagery
Prospero creates the tempest due to his malignant nature
and his desire for vengeance and inflict torture against
people who have wronged him. This quote demonstrates
that he is mentally committed to his process and he will
roar through disease, pain and torment.
“oh how oddly it sounds that I
must ask my child for
forgiveness”
Dialogue The new world has potential for life-giving, metaphorically
shown in the blossoming of love between Ferdinand and
Miranda. This blossoming of love allows for Alonso’s
re-evaluation of his sovereign title as king and the renewal
in perception of priorities, so Alonso begs for forgiveness
for his son Ferdinand
“you brother mine expels…” Dialogue Prospero praises and weeps with Gonzalo is an example of
his emotional growth
“my charms I’ll break, their
sense I’ll restore and they shall
be themselves” (Act 5 scene 1
line 27)
Metaphor self-discovery turning point which creates an image of
restoration of order and regeneration, the relinquishing of
power
“I do forgive thee unnaturally
though thou art” (Act 5 scene 1
line 180)
Kind,
forgiving tone
of voice
Prospero shows his forgiveness despite their betrayal and
wrong-doing.
“If you now beheld them now,
your affections will become
tender” (act 5 scene 1 line 17)
Metaphor Depicts Ariel’s opinion that can be considered as the
turning point for Prospero’s realisation causing him to
question his actions
I thus neglecting worldly ends Dialogue Emphasises his movement from being angry and bitter to
a moment of self-reflection
This rough magic i abjure dialogue Prospero recognises his power over himself as a human
being and reclaims his own sense of responsibility
Most wicked sir, whom to call
brother would even infect my
mouth, i do forgive thy rankest
fault
Disease
Imagery Restoration of the play as it underlines the moment where
Prospero rediscovers humanity and learnt the values of
forgiveness and to overcome his desire to seek revenge
My library/was dukedom large
enough Couplet Demonstrating that through Prospero’s political downfall,
he was able to discover the value of wisdom and
knowledge as more potent tools of personal agency than
political rank
For what strength I have my
own Symbolism Symbolises his rediscovery of the human Prospero he left
behind initially
Rediscovery________________________ Rediscovery can allow individuals to rationalise past experiences and reassess their
perceptions, leading to reconciliation.
Rediscovery can be prompted by other’s perceptions of an individual.
→ Ariel is Prospero’s prompt for Prospero’s rediscovery
Quote Technique Link to Discovery
“And mine shall” A5S1
Short diction Represents the point of rediscovery where Prospero
decides to let go of his revengeful nature and move toward
reconciliation
their rising senses
Begin to chase the ignorant
fumes
Metaphor The sensory metaphor represents how rediscovery can
restore clarity to an individual and allow them to move
forward to reconciliation.
Would even infect my mouth,
I do forgive
The rankest fault - all of them
-
Disease
imagery
This marks the restoration of the play, and implies that
through the rediscovery of his humanity, Prospero heals
himself.
Second life Motif of birth Demonstrates how rediscovery offers the chance of a new
life and the reshaping of identity for an individual
Circle motif Full turn of circle of discovery brings Prospero back to his
humanity (rediscovery)
“My charms I'll break, their
senses I'll restore, and they
shall be themselves.” A5S1
Metaphor Creates an image of restoration, order and regeneration
See Caliban and his
companions
free; Untie the spell
Freedom motif Caliban’s freedom parallels Prospero’s freedom from his
revengeful nature, each of which represents the
importance of rediscovery in reshaping human experience
Brim full of sorrow and
dismay
Accumulation
of unhappy
words
Ariel becomes the prompt for Prospero’s rediscovery
through the insinuation that his lack of humanity has led
to human
suffering
The rarer action is in virtue
than in vengeance
Binary
opposites
Implies that the difference between human and animal is
the ability to reason, which leads to the rediscovery of his
humanity and ability to forgive
Mine would sir, were I
human.
Emotional
tone and
personal
pronoun in the
dialogue
This implies the dehumanisation of Prospero by creating
the notion that Ariel, as a spirit rather than human, has
greater human qualities than Prospero. This prompts him
to rediscover his humanity
Political opinions ___________________
Political discoveries-Sebastian, Gonzalo, Prospero, Alonso, Trinculo, Stephano
Shakespeare explores the notion that the gain in political power leads to personal
discoveries which allow individuals to better understand themselves.
Thesis statements:
1. Discoveries can be both constructive and destructive
● While Prospero’s political power has dwindled significantly since his exile and
usurpation, it has allowed him to enrich and discover his intellectual abilities.
2. Political power results in self-discoveries for individuals which impact meaningfully
upon their understanding of themselves.
3. The discovery of one's political influence significantly impacts their own understanding
of themselves and their abilities, especially when placed in difficult situations.
● Shakespeare effectively explores this notion through Prospero’s realisation of his
lack of political influence upon being usurped and exiled to an isolated island.
His exile, however, allowed him to invest in the discovery and understanding of
his own power and intellect and thus neglecting his responsibilities as the Duke
of Milan.
4. Political discovery may create new understandings of the dangers of leadership.
● Prospero as ruler of the island, discovers his significant political power over
other characters. Responsibility / talk about resp as duke of milan neglected
● Dangers of leadership Antonio plotting to kill the king of naples because of his
high ambitious nature.
● Power is seldom satisfactory.
Definition: Political dis - the Eurocentric attitudes established in Shakespeare's play The
Tempest highlights aspects of political discovery which reveal the corrupt nature of modern
political regimes.
Quote Technique Link to PD
The tempest itself
“Nay, good, be patient./
When the sea is”
Metaphor,
allusion,
foreshadowing
The storm is both political and natural
Reinforces the notion at hierarchy on the ship and in their
society
Alludes /foreshadows Prospero's’ patience in watering for
his vengeance.
“By foul play, as thou say’st,
were we heaved thence. But
blessed holp hither”
Dialogue
The political intrigue is evident through the notion of
responsibility and kingship which were subdued due to his
interest of intellectual discovery.
“What cares these roarers for
the name of king?
Rhetorical
question
allusion
Alluded to the power of nature: it is more powerful than
man and politics
Boatswain “Keep your cabins.
You do assist the storm”
“”
Discovery of the lesser importance of politics when faced
with a dangerous situations
Prospero:
“To what tune pleased his
ear” (ref Antonio)
Musical
metaphor
Demonstrates Antoni’s political intrigue which leads him
to perfect the power to govern others
-Antonio discovers the power one has over society through
politics, kingship and machinations (plots or schemes) as a
monarch
“Treacherous army levied,
one midnight...gates of Milan
and i‘th’dead of darkness”
Light/dark
imagery
Political intrigue
Positive and negative aspects of politics
“Didsty thou, Alonso, use me,
and my daughter. Thy
brother was a furtherer in the
act-”
Dialogue
The use of dialogue suggests a sense of political discovery
where Prospero is pitched by consciousness and hardship
“Knowing I loved my books,
he furnished me from my
own library, with volumes i
prize above my dukedom”
Enjambment The dangers of Prospero’s love for liberal art has affected
his duties as the Duke of Milan and thus halted his political
discovery.
“To what tune pleased his
ear,”
Musical
metaphor
Highlights Antonio’s political intrigue in his personal
discovery of the power found through governing the
kingdom. Pg 13.
“My false brother awaked an
evil nature”
Devil imagery Highlights political, personal and familial discoveries in
regards to the nature of Antonio
“Thy brother was a furtherer
in the act.”
Characterises
Antonio
‘Furtherer’ suggests plotter
Antonio
Further in the act of politics in his plan to overtake his own
brother and usurp him as a result.
“I will be correspondent to
command”
Dialogue
Personal
Pronoun
Recognise of one’s position in social hierarchy, also
reinforces Prospero's position on the island as a parallel to
what he should be in Milan. This reiterates Prospero’s lack
of power in Milan.
Social hierarchy - those who are given power ultimately
discover their influence on others - political
Antonio “For all the rest,
they’ll take suggestion as a cat
laps milk”
Simile
Use of simile suggests Antonio’s belief in the inferiority of
others, suggesting they are essentially simpletons he could
control. This highlights the dangers of leadership in that,
regardless of already having power, deems himself
superior and deserving of more power, hence his ambition
increases. Ultimately a dictator rules Milan.
“I’ll teach you how to flow”
Antonio
Metaphor Describes water and its fluctuations suggesting the fluid
nature of political movement and power, as Antonio plans
to influence Sebastian when he assumes the throne.
“The occasion speaks thee,
and my strong imagination
sees a crown”
Antonio
Metaphor
Personification
of imagination
Beginning of political intrigue, further fuels his ambition to
kill the king of Naples and assume more power as one who
has influence over Sebastian
His ambition results in murderous desires and further
fuels his need for control and dictatorship - a dangerous
position for a leader to be in both morally
“True: And look how well my
garments sit upon me”
Antonio
Irony
“But, for your conscience?
ANTONIO
Ay, sir; where lies that?”
Rhetorical
question - Ant.
Demonstrates his desire for political power that has
clouded his conscience, thus revealing the dangers of
leadership
Self-discovery_- personal growth
Prospero discovers his own power through his art then he discovers what it is like to be
human, Ariel, Caliban/magic, power
Caliban:
The discovery of one’s own social position can occur through the recognition of
power structures within relationships. The acknowledgement of one’s own inferiority
due to a lack of power is a significant self-discovery, as shown through the character
development of Caliban.
● Prospero’s arrival on the island incites Caliban’s self-discoveries regarding the notion
of power and power relationships.
● Throughout the play, and following his transferral to a different power relationship,
Caliban discovers his own inferiority as the subordinate savage, as he willingly
embraces the role of the powerless inferior.
● The hyperbolic language in, ““I must obey: his art is of such power,/ It would control
my dam's god, Setebos,/ and make a vassal of him,” reflects Caliban’s recognition of
Prospero’s power and his inability to “compete” with that power
● Caliban’s statement, “For I am all the subjects that you have for first was my own
king” – demonstrates his acknowledgement of himself as a mere ‘subject’ whose life is
under the control of Prospero his ‘king.’
● The submissive tone in “Let me lick thy feet,” displays Caliban’s willing acceptance of
Stephano as his new master and resulting desire to worship and please him due to the
power he holds over Caliban.
Miranda:
Intellectual and self-discoveries empower individuals due to a newfound sense
of understanding.
● Miranda undergoes significant self-discoveries regarding her past identity, with
Prospero enabling and facilitating her intellectual realisations of her tumultuous
narrative.
● The personification and hyperbolic dialogue, “O, my heart bleeds to think o’th’teen
that I have turned you to, which is from my remembrance.” reflects the detrimental
consequences her prior lack of understanding and knowledge of her past has had. The
pleading tone in “Please you farther” reflects Miranda’s intense desire to gain a
self-awareness regarding her past.
● This newfound knowledge enables the once-ignorant Miranda to gain a sense of
understanding and consequent empowerment.
Prospero:
The discovery of personal power can lead to the destruction of an individual’s
humanity. The use of such power can have intensely significant and detrimental impact, as
Prospero uses the personal power he discovers as an antagonising device, which
consequently incites the deterioration of his own humanity.
o The statement in his anecdote, “And to my state grew stranger, being transported/
and rapt in secret studies,” reflects how discovering personal power through magic
transports the individual from the physical to a transcendent dimension, hence also
transforming them from the humane.
o The high modality in, “Thou art inclined to sleep…/ give it way: I know thou canst
not choose,” demonstrates Prospero’s realisation of the extent of his power and
ensuing use of it as a manipulative mechanism. Furthermore, Prospero’s
understanding of his power over mortality is reinforced through the metaphor,
‘graves at my command have waked their sleepers, oped, and let 'em forth by my so
potent art.”
o The metaphor and Caliban’s submissive tone in, “I must obey: his (Prospero’s) art is
of such power, / It would control my dam's god, Setebos, / and make a vassal of
him,” shows how Prospero’s discovery of power ignites his greed for superiority and
control, reflecting his diminishing humanity.
Self-discoveries regarding one’s authority and morality may incite significant
self-reflexivity, the surrender of power and consequent personal growth.
o Prospero’s undergoes significant self-discoveries regarding the implications of
knowledge (his art) when wielded as a tool to enforce an individual’s authority, with
Prospero’s art enabling the manipulation of Ariel, Caliban and Miranda.
o Ariel facilitates Prospero’s realisation that the use and abuse of knowledge and power
has been detrimental to his morality and humanity, as well as to others.
o The implications of his art are realised by Prospero himself, with the violent natural
imagery, “I have called forth the mutinous winds, and ’twixt the green sea and the
azured vault…set roaring war”, asserting that the discovery of power results in
cruelty and brutality.
o Prospero’s recognition of the futility of employing magic as a destructive force to
state his vengeful desires incites his surrender of power, with the symbolism in the
soliloquy, ‘I’ll break my staff/Bury it certain fathoms in the earth/And deeper than
did ever plummet sound/I’ll drown my book,’ reflecting Prospero’s moment of
realisation and consequently enables the re-discovery of his humanity.
Emotional Discovery – inconsistent and confronting
challenges as perceptions are changed
Miranda and Ferdinand need to discover more than love/lust, Prospero discovers his
humanity and regains a sense of self. Emotional and personal discoveries are: ● Revelations to particular characters that may occur through external influence or
through internal reflection.
● Discoveries that
Thesis Statements:
1. An individual’s isolation from the wider world may be a catalyst for new emotional
discoveries.
2. Confronting and provocative experiences can create environments for emotional and
personal discoveries.
3. Profound personal and emotional revelations can greatly impact on an individual's
sense of morality.
4. Unexpected and unanticipated events can lead to new discoveries and a change to an
individual’s context.
5. Confronting and provocative experiences can act as a catalyst to emotional and
personal discoveries.
THESIS
POINT
Technique Character Quote Link to emotional/personal
and thesis
1. Emotive language
Metaphor
Miranda “I might call him a
thing divine, for
nothing natural i ever
saw so noble”
Miranda experiences Ferdinand
as being almost god-like when
compared to her previous
experiences with the ‘unnatural’
Caliban - the only other man she
knows apart from her father. Her
isolation has created this intense
emotional and personal discovery.
1. Emotive dialogue Miranda ‘This is the third man
that e’er I saw; the
first that e’er I sighed
for’
Miranda is experiencing love for
the first time following her
isolation from outside influence -
this new experience leads to her
emotional discoveries about love
and relationships, which are even
more intense due to her previous
lack of it.
1. Emotive language Miranda “I have no ambition to
see a goodlier man”
Miranda wishes to not know
about any other man than
Ferdinand, since he is the only
man that she knows to be
associated with love. Her
emotional and personal discovery
has self-imposed limitations, yet
are still ground-breaking.
2. Hyperbole,
symbolism
Prospero ‘Your charm so
strongly works ‘em
that if you beheld now
them, your affections
would become tender’
Prospero is confronted with the
real, dangerous power of his
magic and the consequences it
can have - making him realise the
wrong in his actions. This is the
beginning of his emotional
discovery and personal
redemption.
2. Poison imagery,
simile
Alonso,
Sebastian,
Antonio,
Gonzalo
“Their great guilt, like
poison given to work a
great time after, now
‘gins to bite the
spirits”.
After experiencing the profound
event of Ariel’s intimidation, the
men (in particular Antonio) begin
to feel a sense of guilt and horror:
highlighting the beginning of
their emotional and personal
discoveries. Ariel’s confronting
experience was a catalyst for their
‘epiphany’ moment.
2 Dialogue Alonso “Thy dukedom I
resign, and do entreat
thou pardon me my
wrongs.”
When confronted with his own
wrongdoing, he is able to
acknowledge his guilt and ‘sins’,
leading him down a path of
emotional discovery and
rediscovery.
3. Emotive language Caliban “I loved thee and
showed thee all the
qualities
o’th’isle”..”Cursed be
that I did so!”
Caliban endures emotional
discoveries about human nature
and morality through Miranda
and Prospero’s enslavery of him,
compared to the initial
relationships they shared. He now
feels anger and revengeful, fitting
to the ‘animalistic’ character that
he is portrayed as.
3. symbolism Prospero “betterment of others”
“breaking of the staff”
Characterisation of Prospero as
he makes deep personal
discoveries that result in a
reflection of his settings. In the
presence of Miranda and
Ferdinand’s pure relationship, he
is able to rediscover a sense of
humanity and morality.
3. Metaphor Prospero ‘Let us not burden our
remembrances with a
heaviness thats gone’
Following his emotional and
personal revelation about the
essence of human nature and
morality, Prospero is able to
adopt this morality through
forgiveness of past wrongs.
Ferdinand “O heaven, o earth,
bear witness to this
sound’
Physical Discovery- perceptions of the world
and themselves are changed
Physical Discovery – Miranda and Ferdinand
● Leads to discovery of sexuality and sensuality
● Fosters intimate experiences between individuals
● Discovery of the complex nature of life and humanity gives individuals a more cohesive
understanding of themselves in terms of their physical surroundings
● Miranda’s physical discovery of Ferdinand – “A thing divine…” (Act 1 Scene 2 Line 417)
o Implies that he is not of the physical realm
o Godly figure
o Comparison to the supernatural
● “I do not know one of my sex; no woman’s face remember…” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 50)
o Miranda’s ignorance of physical discoveries about humanity
o Due to her isolation from the rest of civilisation, highlights her overall naivety
o Juxtaposition between her knowledge of humanity and Prospero’s
discovery/knowledge of humanity.
● “Sweet Lord, you play me false” and stage direction “Ferdinand and Miranda playing a
game of chess” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 172)
o Chess and courtship go hand in hand
o Parallels the course of love between Miranda and Ferdinand
o Miranda and Ferdinand are symbols of Prospero’s physical chess pieces in which he
manoeuvres throughout the course of the play, similarly to how pieces are moved
intellectually through the ‘game.’
o Checkmate – same of brinkmanship
o Metaphor (game of chess) for Prospero’s initial manipulation and control of
characters throughout the play.
● “O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, and crown what I profess…” (Act 3 Scene 1
Line 70)
o Calls on nature to bear witness to his confession
o Juxtaposition between the physical (earth) and metaphysical (heaven) to highlight
the extent of Ferdinand infatuation with Miranda.
● “Admired Miranda…” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 38)
o The technique is a polyptoton/pun
o Play on words as Miranda comes from the Latin term “Miranda” meaning
“admirable”
● “Sir she is mortal; but by immortal providence she is mine.” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 189)
o Sense of ownership
o Binary opposition
o Represents the Jacobean male mentality of physical/mental superiority over females.
● “How many goodly are there here! How beauteous mankind is!” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 183)
o Highlights Miranda’s lack of physical discovery due to her isolation form the rest of
civilisation.
o “Received a second life…” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 195)
Physical Discovery – Prospero and Caliban
● An individual’s possessions or power may render them physically powerful, though
physical discovery is ultimately catalysed through colonisation and the overthrowing
of power.
● Prospero physical discovery is elicited through the physical relinquishing of power
and knowledge
● Caliban physical discovery is elicited through his possession of the land and the
ultimate loss of land through the means of colonisation
Prospero
● “I’ll break my staff”
o Staff is a symbol for power and control
o Metaphor for the ‘breaking’ of Prospero’s bond with power
o Physical discovery is elicited through the physical and deliberate act of relinquishing
Prospero’s power
● “I’ll drown my book”
o Prospero’s books are symbolic of his knowledge
o Metaphorically implies that physical discovery is catalysed through the relinquishing
of knowledge as a source of power
o Prospero’s books play a tangible role in promoting physical discovery and the pursuit
of knowledge
● “First to possess his books: for without them he’s but a sot as I am”
o Caliban emphasis that without the possession of books as a tangible source of
Prospero’s power and knowledge, Prospero is physically powerless
o Physical discovery enables the attainment of knowledge and the power that rises from
it, however, without books one becomes powerless
o Without the contents of his treasured library, Prospero's a "sot" (a stupid fool) and as
powerless as Caliban
Caliban
● “The island’s mine”
● Possessive noun “mine”
● Physical discovery highlights Caliban’s sense of ownership of the island
● However it foreshadows Caliban’s loss as once it is taken away there is an
emphasis on the role of colonisation and exploitation in inhibiting Caliban’s
physical discoveries and connection with the land
● “I’ll show thee every fertile inch th’ island”
● Personal pronoun “I” emphasises Caliban’s physical relationship with the island
● Caliban physically discovers the human interactions of wonder, admiration and
wonder
Discovery through the eyes of the marginalised other – the power of stories and
storytelling allowing new insights
Discovery through the eyes of the marginalised Other-Ariel, Caliban
● The personal discoveries made by a marginalised individual are wholly influenced by
their situation and those whom they are marginalised by
● A greater range of personal discoveries can be achieved once an individual is released
from their oppression
Ariel
● Ariel's discoveries are initially limited by his being under of the control of Prospero.
● The way in which Arial yearns for his freedom shows how life without personal
discoveries is devoid of meaning.
● The personal discoveries of a marginalised other are often dependent on the actions of
those whom they are marginalised by.
Thesis Ideas:
● Unless an individual is allowed the freedom to explore, they experience stagnation in the
development of their personal discoveries.
● The connection that an individual maintains with nature or another greater force
provides them with a medium through which to explore their own discoveries despite the
control of others
● The power held by others has the ability to inhibit and manipulate the discoveries made
by a marginalised individual
Technique Quote Effect
High modality and
demanding language.
Imperialistic speech style
"Come away, servant,
come; I'm ready now.
Approach, my Ariel.
Come!"
Shows that Ariel is under the command of
Prospero, and hence not in control of his own
discoveries. Being a marginalised other limits the
discoveries that an individual can make on their
own.
Integrated Questioning "'What is't thou canst
demand?' 'My liberty.'"
Relationship between imprisonment and
powerlessness. While imprisoned, one desires
personal freedom which can in turn relate to
personal discovery.
Disheartened tone “Pardon, master. I will be
correspondent to
command and to my
spiriting gently
Personal discoveries involve the recognition of
relationships of Power. Great self-discovery is
required for Ariel to accept his fate under the
command of Prospero
Possessive language “My Ariel, chick, that is thy
charge. Then to the
elements/ be free and fare
thou well”
● Ariel’s connection with nature is what
allows him to be truly free from Prospero
● As shown in the next quote, Ariel is the
most free when he is one with nature, away
from the control of external, unnatural
forces
Lyrical dialogue style “Where the bee sucks there
suck I/ in a cowslips bell I
lie.”
● In this scene, Ariel is dressed as a faerie,
showing his dependence on and
communion with nature.
● It is through nature that Ariel is the most
free, and therefore able to make his own
self-discoveries, thus enriching him
Caliban
● We are told that Caliban’s experience of discovery was initiated when Prospero’s
Miranda, who are so different from him, came to the isle (paradigm of colonialism)
● He discovers there are ways of thinking other than his when he attempts to “people the
island with Calibans” and is treated as a savage
● He discovers (and rediscovers) betrayal - first through Prospero and then through
Trinculo and Stephano
Thesis Statements:
● The discovery of foreign human nature can adversely affect the mannerisms of an
individual
● Sometimes our discoveries about human nature, life, ourselves and the world around
subvert our past opinions
● An individual may embark upon a quest to act upon their discoveries in order to fulfil an
emotional need
● Profound discoveries come from the most confronting experiences
● The personal discoveries made by a marginalised individual are wholly influenced by
their situation and those whom they are marginalised by
● An individual achieves discovery of oneself through reassessment of preconceived
notions of discovery
● A greater range of personal discoveries can be achieved once an individual s released
from their oppression
Technique Quote Effect
Juxtaposition “Till thou didst seek to violate
the honour of my child”
Contrasting of civility and animal instinct between
Caliban and Prospero
Juxtaposition +
imprisonment
metaphor
“Which first was mine own
king; and here you sty me in
this hard rock”
Caliban becomes the marginalised other on an island
that was his territory
“You taught me language” Intellectual discovery
“His spirits hear me/ And yet
i needs must curse”
Caliban has an emotional need to keep talking in
defiance of Prospero, to mitigate his internal feelings
of betrayal and anger
“And then i loved thee/And
showed thee all the qualities
o’th’isle… cursed be i that did
so!”
Caliban discovers and rediscovers his own naivete as
a native - he thinks he’s been double-crossed by
Prospero
“These be fine things, and if
they be not sprites”
Caliban discovers that there are humans different in
nature to Prospero, and sees this as his chance to
overthrow Prospero, and claim back the island he
believes is his
Use of past tense “When thou cam’st first /
though strok’st me and made
much of me
Caliban discovered the tender affection he lacked
from sycorax, then this was subverted and he was
alienated, enslaved by the one who previously saw
enough promise in him to teach him their language
“Hast thou not dropped from
heaven?”
Caliban believes Stephano has come from heavan.
Some early settlers in the New World claimed to the
natives that they were from the moon
Parallels “I’ll show thee every fertile
inch o’th’island”
Draws a parallel to prospero. Caliban believes
Stephano to be different and more worthy or worship
“This island’s mine by sycorax
my mother, I which thou
tak’st from me”
Caliban has discovered, for the first time in his life,
what it feels like to lose something. He’s lost his
island and then his liberty and free movement when
he is enslaved by Prospero
“I say by sorcery he got this
isle”
Caliban is extremely resentful
Nature pun,
language of
usurpation
They all do hate him / as
rootedly as I”
Caliban knows Prospero’s flaws
“Thou earth, thou! speak!
→ Caliban is the elemental opposition of Ariel, who is
of the air
→ Caliban discovers the Eurocentric, imperialist
ideology of the foreigners, who are xenophobic in
their actions
Miranda
● The character Miranda is physically marginalised from the wider society where the
arrival of the royal court awakens new discoveries for Miranda
● Miranda’s discoveries are initially limited as she is under the influence and protection of
her father
Her interactions with Ferdinand allows her to discover love thus she is able to gain her
humanity
Technique Quote Effect
Repetition “Awake, dear heart, awake;
thou hast slept well, Awake”
‘Awake’ is a metaphor for discovery → Prospero
is in control of Miranda’s personal discovery as
she is physically marginalised from society
Demeaning
language
“Abhorred slave” Moral discoveries of Miranda - not all men are
father figures → demonstrates her naivety of
men and her lack of interactions with other
“I might call him
A thing divine, for nothing
natural
I ever saw so noble”
Miranda has an immediate attraction to
Ferdinand → physical/sexual discovery
Juxtaposition “This is the third man that
e’er I saw; the first that e’er I
sighed for”
Discovery of love → Miranda has been physically
deprived from the wider society.
Biblical allusion “There’s nothing ill can dwell
in such a temple”
Physical discovery of the other → Miranda
perceives Ferdinand almost as if he were a God
High modality “Sir, have pity; I’ll be his
surely”
Miranda discovers love through her immediate
attraction to Ferdinand this in part reflects how
discoveries can have self-imposed limitations as
Miranda does not want to discover other men
Exclamatory
language
“O brave new world
That has such people in’t”
Emphasises Miranda’s physical
discovery/personal awakening