Only proSPERO HAS FREEWILL?

1. Prospero manipulates everyone to do his will. Only proSPERO HAS FREEWILL?

2. Miranda • Prospero begins by telling Miranda stories of how his greedy brother drove him out of Milan. • These stories however are never proven and we have no idea whether they are completely accurate or not. • These stories allow Prospero’s actions to be deemed appropriate in Miranda’s view, thus the manipulation takes force in controlling Miranda’s opinions, for the first time.

3. Miranda • Prospero keeps Miranda’s attention and encourages her belief in the story by again and again asking if she hears him; • “Dost thou attend me?” Act 1.2 Line 78 • “Dost thou hear?” Act 1.2 Line 106 • Miranda assures him she is listening and believing; • “Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.” Act 1.2 Line 107

4. Miranda • Prospero manipulates Miranda a second time when he makes sure that Ferdinand is the first of the shipwrecked men that she sees by getting Ariel to place them around the island in certain groups; • “The King’s son have I landed by himself” Act 1.2 Line 221 • “Ariel, thy charge Exactly is performed “ Act 1.2 Line 238-9

5. Miranda • Miranda’s reaction to Ferdinand is proof of the success of this second manipulation; • “I might call him A thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble” Act 1.2 Line 418-420

6. Ferdinand • Prospero manipulates him by making sure that Miranda is the first human he sees on the island, casting her in light of a saviour, an angel; • “O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you The Queen of Naples.” Act 1.2 Line 448

7. Ferdinand • Prospero manipulates Ferdinand again by making him work for Miranda, this increases his attraction to her, as expected; • “Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid.” Act 1.2 Line 490-1 • “for your sake Am I this patient log-man.” Act 3.1 Line 66 • “They are both in either’s powers; but this swift business I must uneasy make, lest to light winning Make the prize light.” Act 1.2 Line 449-452

8. Ariel • Prospero releases Ariel from a tree that Sycorax (the old ruler of the island) trapped him in; • “Into a cloven pine, within which rift Imprisoned thou didst painfully remain A dozen years” Act 1.2 Line 277-279 • This puts Ariel in Prospero’s debt and Prospero manipulates this situation to make Ariel his servant.

9. Ariel • Prospero also tells Ariel that he will release him from his servitude if he completes these final tasks well; • “Do so, and after two days I will discharge thee.” Act 1.2 Line 297-298 • “Thou shalt be as free As mountain winds; but then exactly do All points of my command.” Act 1.2 Line 494 • However Prospero says this many times throughout the play but does not fulfil this promise by the end of the play.

10. Ariel • Prospero’s parting line to Ariel is unfortunately another promise and we have no proof that it is ever fulfilled. • “Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free.” Act 5.1 Line 242 • This allows us to come to the conclusion that the only use that promising Ariel freedom had was Ariel’s servitude.

11. Caliban • Prospero and Caliban were originally able to converse and share knowledge but Prospero manipulated this situation after Caliban attempts to have a relationship with Miranda. • Prospero issues many threats to Caliban in order to control him; • “For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramp” Act 1.2 Line 325 • This negative enforcement results in Caliban’s hatred of Prospero but he still remains in Prospero’s power.

12. Antonio & Sebastian • Antonio appears to manipulate Sebastian by encouraging him to kill King Alonso and take his place just like Antonio banishing Prospero to the island. • “Noble Sebastian, Thou let’st thy fortune sleep – die, rather; wink’st Whiles thou art waking.” Act 2.1 Line 215-217 • However it is in fact Prospero who manipulates the situation by getting Ariel to put Alonso and Gonzalo to sleep giving Sebastian and Antonio a chance to show their true colours.

13. Antonio & Sebastian • Prospero continues this manipulation by not telling King Alonso and Gonzalo what they were going to do; • “But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded I here could pluck his highness’ frown upon you And justify you traitors. At this time I will tell no tales.” Act 5.1 Line 128

14. King Alonso & Gonzalo • Prospero manipulates Gonzalo by his guilt for letting Antonio banish him to the island. • “First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot Be measured or confined.” • “Whether this be Or be not, I’ll not swear.” • Act 5.1 Line 120-124

15. Trinculo and Stephano • Prospero uses the wine to manipulate these two and this unveils their natural leap from servant status to possible power and how it consumes them. • This allows Prospero to be in control of the situation because they are not in full self-control. • “I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen – save our graces! – and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?” Act 3.2 Line 107-110

16. Prospero manipulates everyone therefore nobody has freewill other then Prospero.