Important Quote

Northrop Frye - 'allergy of the spiritual salvation of humankind'

Essay Question

1. Consider Act 3 Scene 1 and explore the significance of this scene in the play.

What happens in Act 3, Scene 1?

• In this scene Miranda goes to find Ferdinand who has been carrying logs under Prospero's instruction.
• Ferdinand, unlike Caliban, enjoys his task as he see's it as serving the woman he loves.
• This is against her fathers demands and for the first time we see Miranda as her own person rather than a pawn of Prospero. This is especially shown when Miranda tells Ferdinand her name, which Prospero forbade her to.
• Ferdinand denys Miranda's request, which accentuates his characteristic as a suitable match for Miranda. 
• This scene expresses clearly the love between Ferdinand and Miranda.
• It also presents to the audience the idea that this relationship is set up as Prospero can be seen by the audience to watch over them. Alluding the idea that on the island he is all powerful and he controls and as initiated this relationship.
• Ferdinand flatters Miranda, stating that he is a prince and will be king. Yet Miranda's innocence characters pays little attention to this instead wishing to know is Ferdinand loves her.
• Ferdinand enthusiastic reply saying that he does, emboldens Miranda propose marriage.
• Prospero, who has been watching all of this, is subdued in happiness accentuating how he knew this would happen. He knows he has other business to attend to.

The Scene's importance...

• The scene is the beginning of the forgiveness and reconciliation of the Lords by Prospero, by uniting Miranda and Ferdinand he is also uniting the two states in Italy.
• It clearly shows to the audience the control that Prospero has over the characters and the island.
• For the first time the audience see's Miranda as an independent character and rebelling against her father, which makes the audience gain respect for her.
• This is the only scene of actual interaction between Miranda and Ferdinand and it helps to really create the characters.
• The final speech by Prospero we understand that he is in control of what Miranda says and does 'glad of this as they' yet the preceding lines present a more sorrowful tone. This insinuates that Prospero is not as in control as first believed and setting him up to be the father, who is sad and proud to see his daughter grow up.
• Prospero can be see to play the role of any ordinary father when their daughter finds a suitor and be protective.

Themes

• Servitude - The scene revolves around different images of servitude. 
• Ferdinand is being made to serve Prospero, but does so willingly for the sake of Miranda. 'The mistress which I serve... makes my labours pleasures.'
• Ferdinand speaks of the servitude of the love her feels for Miranda, which is unlike the love he has felt for other women. '
• The idea of the servitude being slavery is also repeated throughout Prospero's speech. Yet this slavery is done willingly unlike how Caliban treats his situation. 'My heart fly to your service, there resides to make a slave of it.'
• The end of the scene we see Miranda become the servant as she proposes marriage, which at the time would of made her property of Ferdinands. 'I am your wife, if you will marry me; if not, ill die your maid.' She accentuates her servitude by adding that she will 'die you maid' as shocking statement as it makes her beneath him.
• The audience understands that Miranda is a very innocent character and since she states 'my modest the jewel in my dower' the audience could easily believe that Ferdinand is taking advantage of her. By making him a servant, we see him as lower status to her, wherein he must be humble. 
• Since they both talk in a servitude fashion makes the union seem not only believable but also trusting.
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