Prospero influences those around him by manipulating history and portraying it in a way that only suits him. He tells Miranda, his own daughter, the history of his life, yet he portrays it as he has made no faults and that it was only his enemies who did anything wrong. While telling his story, he mentions, "I pray thee, mark me (that a brother should be so perfidious)." This emphasizes that it was Antonio who performed an evil act, when he was just reacting to the laziness and irresponsibility of Prospero. Prospero's angle of telling the story causes Miranda to hold him in high regard. She says, "Your tale, sir, would cure deafness," and, "I, not remember how i cried out then, will cry it o'er again," meaning she considers it as amazing and shocking that someone could betray her father. Also she assumes she must feel for her father because she is basing her feelings on the story Prospero has told her and nothing else. Prospero has presented Miranda with a single story-a single story of his life. Miranda holds her father's story in high regard because it is the only version she knows. She is oblivious to the fact that Prospero did not perform his duty as duke because Prospero purposely hid that information from her for his benefit. Furthermore, he repeatedly asks if she is listening because he wants to make sure she hears only what he is telling her and will not be side-tracked by anything that could contradict his story.
Also, Prospero belittles Ariel when he asks for a year to be removed from his service. Through this tactic, Prospero hopes to intimidate Ariel in to thinking that he needs Prospero. While reciting the story Prospero, he says, "Though, my slave," and calls him "too delicate" to do anything. This diction in his story allows Prospero to demean Ariel so he will never ask for freedom again. By rearranging historical facts and changing how history itself is told, he effectively manipulates the people around him.
No comments:
Post a Comment