The Tempest Act 1 Scene 2 MJ004.mp4

On an island close by, Prospero, the right Duke of Milan, and his fifteen year-old daughter, Miranda, watch the wreck of the ship. The compassionate Miranda is horrified by what she sees, but Prospero assures her that all the men on the ship will be safe. He reveals his role in the shipwreck and his relationship to the men on board. He tells his daughter that he was once the Duke of Milan, and, as Duke, he spent most of his time learning the art of magic. But, in Prospero's ambitious brother, Antonio, "awak'd an evil nature" (I.II.93), and he decided to overthrow Prospero and claim the title of Duke for himself. Antonio received help from King Alonso, and together they removed Prospero from power and placed him and Miranda, who was two at the time, in a boat and abandoned them at sea. Fortunately, the kind-hearted Gonzalo had given them water, clothes, and other supplies, including Prospero's cherished books. Thus they were able to float for some time at sea, and eventually they landed on the island that has become their permanent home. Now Fate has brought Prospero's enemies near him once again, and, through magic, he admits to Miranda that he was responsible for the storm that brought his brother and the King to the island. With matters now more pressing than Miranda's many questions, Prospero casts a spell to put her to sleep while he summons his servant, an airy spirit named Ariel. Ariel tells his master that he has magically put the passengers in a trance and dispersed them about the island, ensuring that the King's son, Ferdinand, is by himself, as instructed by Prospero. Ferdinand sits alone in mourning, believing that he is the sole survivor of the crash. Tired from all the tasks Prospero has made him perform, Ariel complains "Is there more toil?" (242), but Prospero quickly reminds Ariel that his "toil" is payment for Prospero rescuing him from imprisonment in a tree-trunk, at the hands of 'the foul witch Sycorax' (258) who is now dead but once ruled the island with her magic. Prospero ensures Ariel that, if his current plans are successful, he will release him from his obligations. He next instructs Ariel to make himself invisible to everyone but his master. Ariel flies away and Prospero awakens Miranda, telling her that they are about to visit his other slave, Caliban, a disfigured and savage offspring of the dead witch, Sycorax. Despite Prospero's attempts to tame him, Caliban has remained wide and barbaric, and has even attempted to rape Miranda. Prospero calls out to Caliban and, reluctantly, he comes, complaining about his captivity. Prospero replies that he has every right to enslave Caliban, in payment for all the education and kindness Prospero has given him. Caliban strikes back, proclaiming that he did not want to be educated by Prospero.

Category:

Education

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