In Act 4 we find a play within the main play of The Tempest. This tactic is used in several other works of Shakespeare and in every instance there is some significance in what occurs in this mini play in respect to the main play as a whole. In Act 4, Prospero charges his helper Ariel in putting together a group of spirits that will put on this play for Miranda and Ferdinand who are going to be married.
The players in this performance are the ancient mythological gods Iris, Ceres, and Juno. The Norton describes these gods as Iris the goddess of the rainbow and messenger of Juno, Ceres the goddess of agriculture, and Juno the goddess of women and the queen of the gods (3101-3102). These three goddesses come together in front of Miranda and Ferdinand to commend them on their upcoming nuptials, but within their congratulations is a common forewarning message of Prospero. He warned Ferdinand that he cannot consummate/ have sex with Miranda until after they are married or the wedding is off. Iris mentions that they thought Venus and Cupid had enchanted the couple by giving them lustful thoughts that they almost acted upon but that their presence has sent both of them away (lines 94-101). After that, Juno and Ceres sing a song of blessing upon the couple to ensure that their marriage be a fruitful one, that they should never want, and be filled with passion and love for each other (lines 107-117). Iris, later on brings forth other nymphs that dance to celebrate the "contract of true love" (line 133). It is this last line which hints to the fact that this love is a contract that will help Prospero gain the lands that were once stolen from him. Now that the two will be married, he will once again be a powerful man in Naples.
This play is technically a rouse created by Prospero and his helper Ariel. Since he uses these important figures in this play, it establishes ethos, making the play believable to both Ferdinand and Miranda. This also in a cunning way reinforces the idea that they should not succumb to the ways of Venus and Cupid, and should stay chaste until they are finally married.
1 comment:
Christina,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post. You provoke an extremely interesting question regarding Prospero's motive/desire to marry off his daughter, Miranda, to Ferdinand. Does he view their love as a contract that will help him regain his stolen land? Personally, I believe that he does. It is the perfect opportunity for Prospero to regain the territory that was once taken from him. In other words, I agree with your statement, and think that "he will once again be a powerful man in Naples."
I appreciate your analysis of the “play within the play” that occurs in The Tempest. I also believe that the figures present in the mini-play establish ethos, and definitely make the play more believable for its audience (Ferdinand and Miranda). Furthermore, the fact that the message of the performance is to “stay chaste until marriage” conveys the tremendous value of a woman’s chastity during Shakespeare’s time. Thus, perhaps pre-marital sex could be viewed as a way to “annul,” or “void,” the marriage contract between Miranda and Ferdinand. Therefore, since this contract is a way for Prospero to re-control Naples, he needs to make sure that it is not “voided.”
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