Student Question
Describe the hardships and joys of characters in The Tempest on the deserted island.
Quick answer:
In The Tempest, Prospero's hardship is losing his kingdom and being isolated, but he finds joy in ruling the island, practicing magic, and his relationship with Miranda. Miranda's hardship is isolation, but she enjoys her bond with her father. Ariel enjoys freedom from imprisonment but dislikes serving Prospero. Caliban's hardships include being usurped and enslaved, with his only joy coming from dreams of rebellion.
The characters living on the deserted island as the tempest arises are Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, and Caliban. Prospero's hardship is that his former kingdom has been usurped, or taken from him, and he is separated from the people and life he once knew. His joy is that he has managed to become the ruler of his tiny new domain, has had time to practice and perfect his magic and alchemy using books, and has his daughter Miranda as a comfort and companion to him.
Miranda's hardship is her isolation, but her joy is her close relationship with her father and her ability to adapt easily to life on the island.
Ariel's joy is that Prospero freed him from being imprisoned in the cloven pine, but his hardship is that he no longer wishes to be Prospero's slave. Caliban, however, seems not have much joy: he feels, not without merit, cheated of his kingdom by Prospero and dislikes being forced to work as his slave. What joy he has seems to come from dreaming of rebellion and revenge.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.