Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, presents a complex and multifaceted character in the form of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan. In Act 1 Scene 2, lines 189-321, Prospero’s language provides insight into his character, revealing a man who is both merciful and ruthless, controlling and manipulative.
Prospero’s language in this scene is notable for its use of rhetorical devices and manipulative techniques. He employs a mix of flattery and veiled threats to keep his audience in check, using his knowledge of their desires and weaknesses to manipulate them. For example, when he addresses his servant Ariel, Prospero appeals to his desire for freedom by promising to grant him his liberty if he completes the tasks Prospero has set for him. At the same time, he subtly reminds Ariel of his past enslavement, using it as leverage to keep him in line: “Dost thou forget from what a torment I did free thee?”
Prospero’s language also reveals his control over the island and its inhabitants. He refers to himself as the “king” of the island and speaks with a sense of entitlement, as though it is his right to control everything around him. He commands the elements of nature, using his magic to control the winds and seas. His language is filled with imperatives and commands, such as when he orders Ariel to “Hast thou, spirit, perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?”
While Prospero can be ruthless and controlling, his language also reveals a merciful side. He shows kindness and compassion towards his daughter, Miranda, whom he has brought up on the island. He speaks tenderly to her, expressing his love and concern for her welfare. He also demonstrates a sense of regret for his past actions, acknowledging that his own desire for power led to his downfall. When he speaks of his exile, he does so with a sense of melancholy: “Me, poor man, my library was dukedom large enough.”
Prospero’s relationships with Ariel and Caliban are also revealed through his language. His relationship with Ariel is one of master and servant, but there is also a sense of camaraderie between them. Prospero speaks to Ariel with familiarity and affection, and Ariel responds with deference and loyalty. On the other hand, Prospero’s relationship with Caliban is fraught with tension and mistrust. Prospero speaks to him with disdain, referring to him as a “savage” and an “abominable slave.” Caliban, in turn, speaks with resentment and bitterness, accusing Prospero of stealing his island and enslaving him.
Overall, Prospero’s language in Act 1 Scene 2 reveals a complex character with a mixture of qualities. He can be both merciful and ruthless, controlling and manipulative. He is a powerful figure who commands the respect and obedience of those around him, but he is also haunted by his past and his own failures. His relationships with Ariel, Miranda and Caliban illustrate different aspects of his personality and provide insight into his motivations and desires.
In conclusion, Prospero’s language in Act 1 Scene 2 serves as a window into his character, revealing a man who is both powerful and flawed. Through his use of rhetorical devices and manipulative techniques, he exerts control over those around him. However, his relationships with his daughter, Ariel, and Caliban demonstrate that there is more to him than just a desire for power. Ultimately, Prospero is a complex and nuanced character, whose language reveals the many contradictions and complexities of his personality.