Prospero

• Where is your master?”

  ·       The construct of a Tempest as a device, class, relationships and create conflict. Structurally significant as this theme is developed throughout the play.

  ·       The Jacobeans, and prior to that Elizabethans believed in the natural order of things which was defined by God. everybody was born to a specific class, and they were expected to know their place.
• Where is your master?”

  ·       By asking after his master, and using his job title, he is implying Boatswain is not important.

  ·       The Boatswain might be a symbol for dismissive attitudes at the time towards the lower classes.
• Where is your master?”

  ·       Antonio uses the possessive pronoun your derived from the formal, instead of which is surprising, because it was the custom to use thou when talking to superior. 

  ·       Antonios and Sebastian’s incorrect use of you reflects the social changes that were taking place at the time as people were beginning to use thou, and you interchangeably.
• ‘If by your art, my dearest father, you have done put the wild waters in this roar allay them.’ — Miranda

  ·       Learn about the characters relationship.’dearest father’.

  ·       Miranda links Prospero to magic, asking him to stop the storm (art = magic)

  ·       By depicting Miranda’s pity for those on board, Shakespeare creates sympathy for her, encouraging the audience regard Prospero as a powerful magician.

   
• ‘If by your art, my dearest father, you have done put the wild waters in this roar allay them. — Miranda

  ·       Extra syllable in the first line, emphasises Miranda suspicions of her father’s power and responsibility of the storm.

  ·       Second line, the rhythm of the blank verse completely breaks down. Mirroring the wild unpredictability of the storm and the turbulence of Miranda’s emotions.

   
• ‘My brave spirit’

  ·       Power relationship between Prospero and Ariel can be seen through the first line of address. 

  ·       Adjective ‘brave’ — intended to praise and flatter. 

  ·       Pronoun ‘my’ shows that Ariel is a slave, belonging to Prospero.

   
• ‘Malignant thing’ 

  ·       Prospero yields power over Ariel, using a range of language functions.

  ·       If Ariel shows any desire to be set free, Prospero becomes abusive.

  ·       As with Miranda he shows his power by controlling his version of the past.

  ·       Psychologically bullies Ariel by forcing him to remember the pain of being imprisoned in the tree. Prospero positions himself as the brave rescuer.
• ‘Whelp, hag-born’

  ·       Distinct contrast between Prospero’s treatment of Caliban and his handling of Ariel.

  ·       Noun ‘whelp’ was an insulting name for a boy.

  ·       Prospero is saying that Sycorax gave brith to an animal not honoured with human shape. (Hyperbole).

   

  ·       Calls Caliban a ‘tortoise’ — suggests he is slow and lazy.