Monday, December 17, 2012
Reflections on Act 3 Scene 3 of the Tempest
Here are Ariel, Sebastian, Antonio, Alonso, and Gonzalo in Act 3 Scene 3
This scene provides the climax of Prospero's plan. Alonso has lost his hope to find his son Ferdinand. This is the moment of revenge that Prospero has awaited for a long time. Everybody gives up and are powerless over Prospero's magic. I feel like Ariel in this scene was enthusiastic and eager. He carries out Prospero's wishes effficently and effectively really impressing Prospero. Ariel is eager to be free! He has been promised to be free in 2 days after this mission. Prospero freed Ariel from Sycorax. Ariel accuses Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio about driving Prospero from Milan and leaving him and his child abandoned at sea. Ariel tells them the powers of nature are upon them! Prospero has took revenge on Alonso by taking Ferdinand.
Ariel is a very minor character in this scene. She has helped Prospero reporting the plot to murder him by Sebastian and Antonio. Ariel's obedience symbolizes Prospero's humanity.
We see this scene illustrates what is real and what is not real. The music and the harp are not real. All we see that is real is madness that is confronted within 3 characters.
"You are three men of sin, whom destiny, That hath to instrument his lower world And what it in't, the never- surfeited sea". says Ariel. Ariel emphasizes that Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio are sinners because they attempting to draw their swords and kill Prospero. I think this is a very important line in Ariel's part in Act 3. Ariel's appearance represents the climax of Prospero's revenge. Ariel is taught by Prospero and does this so Prospero can give him freedom. The confusion syntax is perhaps affecting Ariel's and Prospero's agitation.
I do realize that Ariel is right to the point in this scene! He does what Prospero wants her to do. He stresses how all 3 characters are sinners. She emphasizes Prospero's good and how he is the King of Milan. "Him and his innocent child; for which foul deed, the powers delaying" says Ariel. It was the anger of the powers of Prospero that made him take it out all on Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzalo. Prospero knows his charms work. He is happy Ariel is at his service.
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This is more summary than reflection. Make thematic connections and critical assertions. Don't just tell me what happened.
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