The Tempest Group

Question:

sarah-xox
sarah-xox
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In Act III of "The Tempest", how does Prospero treat Ferdinand? Why? How is this treatment like and unlike the treatment of Caliban?

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Posted by sarah-xox on Friday October 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM and tagged with act iii, caliban, characters, ferdinand, prospero, the tempest.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    In Act Three (not Two), Prospero treats Ferdinand like a slave. There are several reasons for this. He is still angry over the loss of his kingdom, and Ferdinand is linked to that. He (Prospero) is showing his mastery over the island. He's trying to keep control of his daughter…though losing to love. And he's trying to test Ferdinand's character and make him work to demonstrate his love of Miranda. It's a test, like those in fairy tales and myths.

    It's like his treatment of Caliban because both must labor for Prospero due to his authority and magic (and both want Miranda). It's unlike because it will end.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/tempest/act-iii-scene-1-summary-ana...

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    Posted by gbeatty on Friday October 10, 2008 at 10:28 AM