![]() Prospero warns Ferdinand several times not to let his sexual desires get out of control before the wedding- many productions have had Ferdinand and Miranda kissing behind Prospero's back in Act 4 Scene 1 or something similar in order to provoke Prospero's warnings to Ferdinand.Lots of the images of their marriage refer to Ferdinand being active in their sexual relationship with Miranda fairly passive- "If thou dost break her virgin knot" He could be read (especially by feminist critics) as a sexual predator who exploits Miranda's innocence, hence the constant checking whether she is a virgin before he makes a move on her.In Jacobean society, women rarely had a choice in their husband while men could Ferdinand is probably not as innocent as Miranda in their relationship- unlike her, he has "eyed with best regard" many other women but found flaws in all of them.He is respectful towards Alonso by the end, kneeling at his feet, and to Prospero, his "second father".Love seems to make Ferdinand more humble- for Miranda's sake "Am I this patient log-man".Ferdinand belives himself the king of Naples and at the start seems quite arrogant for it- "I am the best of them that speak", and his promises to make Miranda "Queen of Naples" (should she be a virgin, that is).Ferdinand claims that Prospero and the island have given him "second life"- is this simply an expression of thanks at surviving the shipwreck, or a hint at deeper personal growth? At the beginning of Act IV of the tempest, Prospero presents his daughter Miranda as a gift and something that Ferdinand has earned, further, he adds his.Ferdinand may represent the hope of the younger generation who will not repeat the mistakes made by Prospero and Alonso.He represents the wonder of the Europeans at the magical new world- "Let me live here ever".Ferdinand is the audience for whom the masque is put on.His supposed drowning provides the "penance" and suffering Alonso must go through in order to be forgiven, if the play is read from a Christian/moralistic point of view.To provide the sub-plot of the romance, something which would probably have appealed to the upper classes in Shakespeare's audience.Like Miranda, Ferdinand serves to unite Milan and Naples and so facilitate Prospero's political aims.A caring son- at the start he is "weeping again the king my father's wrack," and rejoices to see Alonso in Act 5.Loving- Miranda is "So perfect and so peerless".Sexist? He asks if Miranda is a virgin before even asking her name, claims women have often tricked him with "th'harmony of their tongues.".The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. Proud- "I am the best of them that speak this speech " Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio.Noble, chivalrous- "I'd rather.break my back/Than you should such dishonour undergo.". ![]() Religious- he is "at prayers" in Act 1 Scene 1 and believes the shipwreck is due to "devils".
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