Tempest Themes Essay

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The Tempest. Scene two: 1 - This section shows how much Prospero cares about Miranda. ‘I have done nothing but in care of thee’ I think Miranda is aware that Prospero has magic ‘art’ but not how much he has – he can control the whole island. ‘Lie there my art’ means that Prospero is putting his magic aside for his daughter. 2 - Prospero shows his authority in ‘Does thou attend me?’ In this section the audience now knows that he neglected his duties as Duke. ‘He was the ivy which had hid my princely trunk’ I think this section shows that Antonio abused power or took some power away. Prospero knows he hasn’t been the best father in ‘Like a good parent, did beget him’. Prospero is aware of the neglect he has shown. The audience in this scene is shown some signs of Prospero losing control and weakening as he repeats the line ‘Dost thou hear?’ I think this also shows some of his fear. 3 - ‘Providence divine’ is a religious reference; I think this is meant to show what they believed in? (Along with ‘bountiful Fortune’) I think this shows how Prospero is acting like a god as he can control magic. 4 - Ariel is asking here about his freedom which Prospero promised to give him a long time ago. Since Prospero is replying in short sentences it seems like he is enjoying Ariel’s begging and taunting him, the way he only replies in short sentences ‘How now?’ shows his authority and coldness as a person. ‘Before the time is out? No more.’ This harsh statement shows the audience that he has no intention to release Ariel. We see more of his taunting and plays with Ariel’s mind. ‘Did thou forget from what torment I did free thee?’ He is tricking Ariel to believe that he is being kind to him as he freed him from ‘torment’. Ariel starts to reply to Prospero in short sentences ‘Sir in Argier’ and ‘No Sir’ this starts to show Ariel’s fear, this starts after Prospero mentions the
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