The Tempest byShakespeare is a play whose main character, Prospero, is a narcissistic, manipulative, well-versed in magic, former duke of Milan. Prospero was stranded on an island with his daughter, Miranda, and is portrayed as a colonizing figure over the locals, but also manipulates and mistreats every character he comes in contact with. Miranda is portrayed as an innocent and pure character. She is the only female character in the play, other than Sycorax, who is mentioned briefly and has no lines in the play. Prospero plots to get Miranda to fall in love with Ferdinand, the prince of Naples; this is part of his revenge against Alonso, the duke of Naples, who assisted in the plan to overthrow Prospero. Miranda may seem like a minor character, but she plays an important role in Prospero’s plot. What were to happen if she were no longer on the island? Let’s assume she saw things differently after laying eyes on Ferdinand and see:

“Ariel,” whispered Miranda, as she leaned on a sandy rock admiring the tumultuous waves smashing against the seashore. Majestically, as usual, Ariel appeared when summoned. He was very curious about what Miranda needed, but also quite busy with Prospero’s tasks, so he hoped she would make this quick. He couldn’t have imagined the conversation he was about to have. Miranda began speaking softly, but hurriedly “Ariel, wouldn’t you like to be free? Have you ever thought about what you’d do if you weren’t enslaved to my father?” Ariel cautiously thought of how to respond, and eventually replied “Miranda, where is this coming from? You know the trouble you’d be in if your father heard you speak in this manner.” He said this even though he had indeed given this much thought, and had a strong desire to be free from Prospero’s cruel reign on the island. She had caught his attention.

Miranda went on, “Well, I met a Prince named Ferdinand. He is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. But I couldn’t help but think about how I don’t know what being a wife is or if I would even like it. And I’m sure there are more people like us out there. I don’t really want to get married; I want to be a ruler. I know how father treats everyone he comes in contact with. I know exactly how to be a good and kind ruler, all I have to do is be the opposite of him. I would just need your help to escape the island. I’ve been reading his books on magic and his notes on his evil plots, and I no longer desire to be a part of it all. We could both run away and be free, if you choose to help me.” Miranda said while deeply looking into his eyes, with a look so piercing that Ariel felt she could read his mind.

Ariel thought to himself for a moment, could this be a trick? Did Prospero send her? But he entertained the thoughts of freedom long enough to realize he had agreed. “Okay Miranda, gather your things and the books so he could not figure out how to find us, and we’ll leave at dawn. I know just the place we can go to.” At dawn, Ariel and Miranda had gone to a land not too far away. The weather was nice, the resources plenty, and the people as beautiful as Miranda had imagined.

Prospero’s plan immediately fell apart. Ferdinand was devastated when he found out; he refused to work for Prospero one minute longer. Caliban lost all the fear he had and also refused to continue working for him, since Prospero lost most of his power, and even his own daughter abandoned him. Caliban instead, found a way to free his mother Sycorax and take control of the island again. The rest of the visitors on the island plotted against Prospero’s life since he no longer had power. They were all stranded on this strange island with no hope to continue their lineages since there were no means of procreation. Shortly before dying, Prospero wished he hadn’t used his powers in the way he did – not because he felt bad about his behavior, but because he knew he’d die a failure.

Miranda flourished on the new island. She was a gentle and kind ruler loved dearly by everyone. With a new matriarchal system in place that was inclusive of the habitants of the land, Ariel and his irreplaceable abilities were also welcome. Ariel enjoyed being in a place where he was adored and appreciated. Miranda eventually decided she didn’t need to be a wife, but then met someone she fell in love with, married, and had children.

By Miranda leaving the island, and taking Ariel with her, there really isn’t much power left for Prospero to seize. Since Ariel’s assistance and Miranda’s presence was so crucial for his plan to come together, his plan crumbled. This change in the plot shows that Miranda and Ariel were more powerful characters than Prospero was in this play. If they wanted power, they could have easily had it.

Watch The Tempest (full action movie) on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw03uCfM0QM