Miranda in Act 4 of the Tempest

Prospero in Act 4 is very fatherly like. He is too over protective. Nevertheless he issues them a warning. If Ferdinand takes Miranda's virginity before their ceremony, their union would be cursed. Ferdinand, of course, swears he won't do anything not until the day of their ceremony. Prospero calls upon Ariel to perform one of his last acts of magic. Prospero's decision to let Ferdinand and Miranda marry was made even before Ferdinand came into the island. Miranda's virginity is very important. Why? Back in their time, a woman's virginity was so golden that it was important it gained a great deal of power throughout her reign. So Prospero tried his best to keep Miranda well informed of her importance. Prospero suggest that while he keeps Miranda's virginity he will be able to get back to Italy and gain back his power. If Miranda's virginity is thrown away, then Prospero's greatest hope of regaining his position is gone too so he is very careful with Miranda. Don't you see? He keeps her hidden. She has no idea there are more people out there in the world than Ferdinand and her father. Prospero keeps Ferdinand warned as to the consequences to his actions.
Prospero uses a metaphor to compare his daughter to something "rich" to exchange. Prospero's metaphors could be meant to distract Ferdinand from what Prospero and Miranda are getting in the bargain.

Reflections on Act 5 of the Tempest

Prospero has everything under control! He wanted revenge right? Well, he really doesn't give that.
I think Prospero's actions in the final act reveal his true character. Prospero actually forgives. He makes up his mind about revenge and makes a speech that signifies his formal rejection of magic. Prospero charges Alonso for throwing Prospero and his daughter out of Italy, and Sebastian and Antonio for being part of this crime. Prospero announces Ariel's freedom and Ariel sings a song out of joy. Prospero's judgement on his enemies generally have been justified. Gonzalo was always a honorouable man. Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo are too drunk to even get punished. But Prospero's character is changed in the last act so much he forgives those that gave him wrong. Caliban apoligizes Prospero for taking Stephano's foolishness and Prospero acknowledges Caliban and takes him as his own.
Prospero's first words suggest a metaphor, the words "gather to a head" suggest things coming to a cimax.
There are also a ton of allusions Prospero puts in his speech such as "green sour ringlets". These ringlets are small circles of sour grass caused by the roots of toadstools, made by fairies dancing.
When Prospero at last confronts Alonso and his brothers, he uses another metaphor to demonstrate the gradual process of Prospero's spell fading from them. Prospero gives up his magic something ironic in this act. A major theme running though the entire work is forgiveness versus vengeance.

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.

Trinculo and Stephano in The Tempest: Act 2

Caliban enters with a load of wood and the noise of thunder strikes him. He says "[let] marshes infect Prospero, inch by inch, until he's nothing but a walking disease!" He suggests Prospero needs to curse himself away. He reassures he won't let Prospero step on him, damage, or even pinch him.
That is when he spots Trinculo and covers himself with his cloak.
Trinculo compares Caliban to "an old salted fish" and crawls under Caliban's cloak.
Trinculo and Stephano act as comic foils to the main action in Act 2. They do little but very entertaining things. Furthermore, Stephano is drunk and singing. He gives Caliban a drink for him to soothe away the "fever" in this case, his anxiousness. Caliban soon worships Stephano because he is not like other Gods; Caliban enjoys the liquor and begs to worship Stephano.
Both Stephano and Trinculo discuss how they arrived safely to shore and dance around.
There role is present comically. They seem very live, and energetic. They are having a hard time finding friendship with Caliban.
I think these two minor characters are significant to the play because they introduce comic effect to the play. It's quite natural to see a drunk man dancing around and singing, obviously. But in terms of the serious issues in the play, this scene is none of that circumstance rather humorous.

Reflections on the Tempest Act UNO

Act 1, Scene 1, shows the "tempest" of the play's title. Really, every character takes the "tempest" or the storm very differently. Poor Boatswain, he is trying to take it as professionally as he can and get everyone safe to shore. "Good boatswain, have care. Where's the master? Play the men!" King Alonso directly says to put those men to work! He wants those those Mariners to act with spirit and keep moving. Gonzalo takes the "tempest" with patience. He is calm and tries to comfort the other characters in the play. Sebastian on the other hand, is very coward and aggressive like his brother Alonso. You can quickly grasp Antonio's foolishness.
In addition to these unique characters, there are huge roles Prospero is doing behind the scenes. Here this is the play's protagonist. Prospero was the duke of of Milan. He forces Antonio to flee with King Alonso and his daughter.
In all of Act 1 there is reflection on the role of power and authority. Power means to have the ability to change someone's beliefs or actions through influencing others. Like Prospero, he has personal power. He has magical powers that he uses on other peoploe in order to do stuff for him. Prospero has the power with the commanding of Ariel. We also have power introduced within Gonzalo and Boatswain. "Good, yet remember who thou hast abroad." Boatswain does say if the King of Naples has so much power why doesn't he use it to control the ship. Authority and power are different. Authority is the right given to a manager to achieve his objectives of the situation like Mr. Boatswain, he has the right to stir the ship and he is the one to make decisions within the ship as well as give orders. This demonstrates people's arrogance and yet still take conflict about class, power, and authority.

Gonzalo in the TEMPEST

Oh Gonzalo. How marvelous Gonzalo is he.
In Act 1, with Gonzalo we have a very calm, wiseful, good guy with an optimistic look in life. Well I mean at least that is how, we as a reader, look upon him. We are told Gonzalo is "an honoest old counsellor of Naples." Withint Act 1, Gonzalo is travelling with the King's party when he's shipwrecked with other passengers.
Gonzalo is like Dory in Finding Nemo except he has a beard instead of fins and is a human.
In Act 1, Gonzalo breaks down a small rather nasty argument with Mr. Boatswain. Weird huh? This good guy actually stepping ground. But, while everyone was worrying about drowning and the strom and the ship, Gonzalo keeps his cool and says he is sure "good Fate" has something other than drowning in store for everyone on board the ship. He keeps positive. I like him a lot. Way to go Gonzalo!
In Act 1, Scene 2 we also know that Prospero was booted out of Italy with his baby girl Miranda. And guess who was there to povide comfort and food and shelter? Yeah, Gonzalo. Gonzalo was the one who made sure Prospero had enough food and water to survice. Prospero loved books. That is why Gonzalo made sure Prospero had fancy linens and books. There is really no dark side to Gonzalo. He is an honest, warm- heated man which is why I chose him as a favorite character. I can relate with Gonzalo in many ways because I also do my best to stay positive in tough situations. We have look up the trail, to the light.
"Nay, good, be patient."

"Hold Us Together" - Matt Maher, Outside Reflection

http://youtu.be/-he2DohfwWE
Christian singer Matt Maher "Hold Us Together" is the official theme song for Glenn Beck's "Restoring Love". With that, these powerful lyrics capture a story behind a man's journey into the importance of love back in 2008 with his stepfather. His stepfather was his favorite people to talk to. That's how he calls him. His stepfather challenged him to stop writing song about faith and instead to try and write songs FROM faith. He did rather that. He chose to write about his personal faith and prayer life. "I am an optimist, so I tend to try to find the good in people and situations- even with those that I disagree with". I am easily this way as well. Anyways, he was about to fly to Nashville and tv reporters talked about the controversial stimulus bill and the economic dead our nation was gripped on. It was the news report that served as a final straw to this song. That day he got on that flight he immediately pondered and a year worth of experiences and emotions and pictures and conversations and arguments and grace came pouring out of him. And the first phrase was "love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm, and I'll be my brother's keeper..."
He has reminded us that love is important and worthy enough to keep the center worth caring for. Through my church, we have gotten the opportunity to sing this song and every time I get to sing it bits of goosebumps sprint through my arm. I feel as though I'm singing out to those that need to be loved.  It's like there's nothing like loving one another in today's world. There are tons going on out there and the only thing we really need is peace from all of that stuff. This song examines the concept of "love" and it challenges us that we need to all take care of one another and open up doors to those that need total admiration.


"To love is to risk and be promised extraordinary highs and lows; it will help you soar through the highs, and carry you through the lows, so you can help carry your neighbor through." - Matt Maher