In The Tempest, the character Prospero has magical abilities. He can use these abilities to manipulate other characters in the story. In the first act, he manipulates his daughter, Miranda, his spirit slave, Ariel, and his ugly slave, Caliban.
Prospero is talking to Miranda about the incident that got them on the island. Once Prospero thought she had heard enough, he put her to sleep so she wouldn’t hear the conversation between her father and the spirit Ariel. This made me wonder how often this happens. Just imagine how much she misses if her father can easily knock her out. This causes her to not have any control over her life what so ever, but instead, her father does.
Ariel, the spirit, is completely controlled by Prospero. Prospero freed him from a spell that confided him for 12 years and now does all Prospero asks of him because he feels he is in his debt. Whenever Ariel asks Prospero if he can be released Prospero would remind him, ‘“Dost thou forget from what torment I did free thee?”’ Prospero convinces Ariel to obey him out of guilt.
The poor slave to Prospero and his daughter is treated very unkindly. He partially deserves this treatment because Prospero and Miranda pitied him and tried to help him. In return he attacked Prospero’s daughter and as a result, he is prevented to travel much of the island. Caliban has no choice other than to obey. If he doesn’t obey, Prospero threatens him, ‘“Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up.... urchins... for the vast night they work... thou shalt be pinched... each pinch more stinging”’ Caliban knows Prospero means what he says because he used his magic on him before.
I think Prospero is similar to Big Brother in 1984. He controls and manipulates everyone and they don’t have a choice to say no to him or else they’ll suffer the consequences.
HI!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog but it seemed to me like you did a lot more summary than expressing your ideas. I also agree that Prospero can be representative of Big Brother in that he manipulates all those around him. Also just as Big Brother ruled through fear so does Prospero in is own mini Oceania that is the island on which he rules. But i think that they contrast in that The Party controls through manipulation and control differently than Prospero would and i would have liked to see how you felt on that topic. -M.D.