Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Unveiling the Identity of Prospero



      Prospero's actions in the final act reveal the long restless character about him in all his dignity and splendor and ardor about him. He is so used to his power with magic he realizes his need for a final break in his secret duties and comes back to reality to restore back to himself his dukedom-ship about his true character. He will reflect on all his miseries and success full revenge and plots he unfoiled in his former plans and take a lasting vacation that will retain Prospero from any magical reign he may possess. His righteous duty of sacrifice of his loyal servant, Ariel, serves a purpose as to a hint of humbleness, yet much pride in his heart as he knows he has the power to keep Ariel against his will and promise. Yet, after a few faithful tasks are performed, Prospero grants his freedom in diligence and respect. In this intriguing epic scene, this is the unveiling of Prospero's last spoof of game in his magic.   
   After a long drawn-out period of ruling in self-pity, magic, and desolation or confinement within his own entrapped curse upon his head, Prospero finally decides to relinquish all his powers of secret deception and magic, along with his pride and final revenge to finally relax and take a vacation from his “work”. He announces a huge surprise to all the characters in this play of his retirement of his magic. His “elderly” like actions suggests one or retiring from fifty years of service in a military. It also hints to one who is finally making and following his New Year’s resolution to never again eat such unworthy food like pork. Prospero demonstrates an act of self-control and release from his burden’s and furious, crafty power which has formerly destroyed and restored numerous lives and hopes and events. I found it humorous in this scene how Prospero brought in the crew under a trance by Ariel in a revelation unto Alonso, the King. It would seem as if he would have released the spell from those characters and dragged them in as slaves. 
In addition to that humorous thought, I found it satirical that Prospero would go through such trouble as to reveal behind the curtains Miranda and Ferdinand. This demonstrates a “closed behind doors” privacy invasion I my initial impression of this occurrence. It’s as if a demonstration to reveal their “nakedness is portrayed in this scene. Yet, as portrayed innocently, numerous periods throughout the Tempest, Prospero’s love for Miranda is thoroughly emphasized with passion as we see that not only did Prospero greedily, yet graciously and willingly allowed Miranda and Ferdinand to have an attraction to each other, and commit themselves to a future marriage. But now that Prospero is fully relinquishing his magical duties, he has indefinitely suspended his option of domination over Miranda because of her commitment to marriage.
Although it initially appears as if Miranda has long been traveling drunk on cloud 9 where she makes a startling comment following her sighting of the “humans” walking into her perception or view, this appears, or suggests Miranda’s innocence of character, he naïveté, and genialness. Miranda acts as though she has lived like Tarzan for ages and has seen nothing but apes and her love (Ferdinand). Perhaps she is just in awe or amazement, or just delighted to see all those characters. Miranda’s quality of character justifies Prospero’s acts and character, and further serves to emphasize and demonstrate Prospero’s relinquishing of power, and his sense of humility in one perspective. Prospero’s action s of accusations and forgiveness appears to make him initially arrogant as I perceived this to demonstrate a god-like action or heart. Yet, I see that he is trying to restore peace to the crew and Alonso, the King, as he forgives all who have wronged him. He is displaying a Christian-like behavior in this sense.

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