The Oppression of Miranda in The Tempest Essay - 1998 Words

The Oppression of Miranda in The Tempest Mirandas schooling in The Tempest shows the audience the conflicting arrangement white women in the Shakespearean drama as well as Shakespearean times are forced to act within. Paul Brown points out that the discourse of sexuality†¦offers the crucial nexus for the various domains of colonialist discourse (208) and the conduct in Prospero manipulates his followers sexuality is the mainstay of his power. The Miranda-Prospero relationship servers to represent a sort of patriarchy, which is unarguably the system many Renaissance women and women of Shakespeares time found themselves in. It is thus unsurprising that Prospero controls Miranda and her sexuality as well. The†¦show more content†¦As a Renaissance woman protagonist, she acts within an completely male world: I do not know/ One of my sex; no womans face remember (3.1.48-49). While no other women appear in the play, references are made to other women, but the count here is still minimal and sums up to three. Mi randa speaks of the lack of female companionship around her because of her location, but simultaneously the audience sees that the references to women that do occur within the play often have a sinister purpose for appearing within the lines. The other women mentioned in the play seem to provide a sort of dark cloak over the proceedings of the play, even if they are completely absent. Regardless, Miranda, as the only physical woman in the play the audience actually sees and hears, is described by Prospero with kind words, and few, if any, negative imagery revolves around the appearance of the innocent Miranda. For example, Prospero informs Miranda that this Art is prompted by his concern for her; I have done nothing but in care of thee (1.2.16). Prospero also tells Miranda that his mistreatment and harshness toward Caliban stems from the fact that Caliban attempted to rape Miranda and Prospero wants to protect her from any harm that could come about from Caliban.(1.2.347-51). P rospero also indicates that Miranda, to him, is a third of mine own life,/ Or that for which I live (4.1.3-4); therefore after she isShow MoreRelated Comparing Power in Shakespeares Tempest and Aime Cesaires A Tempest1297 Words   |  6 PagesPower in Shakespeares Tempest and Cà ©saires A Tempest      Ã‚  Ã‚   Power is defined as the possession of control, authority, or influence over others.   In William Shakespeares The Tempest and Aimà © Cà ©saires A Tempest, power is a key element in the relationships that exist between characters.   As Caliban and Prospero battle for dominance over the island, Miranda finds that she holds a certain power of her own as she matures from an innocent youth to a sensual, strong-headed young woman.   Seen byRead MoreThe Tempest By William Shakespeare1705 Words   |  7 PagesLiterature Mr. Nath 5 December 2014 The Tempest Written between 1610 and 1611, The Tempest by William Shakespeare is the final play penned by the famous Bard. 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