The effect of boundaries to seal off Miranda from society in “The Tempest”
In the play “The Tempest” by Shakespeare, the isolation of Miranda, the daughter of Prospero, from society makes her naïve and loyal to her father. Miranda’s character is an innocent and naïve girl that has a possible hidden opinionated character as well. Miranda’s naivety and emotion is displayed throughout the play. When she exclaims that she has “suffered with those that [she] saw suffer” (I.ii.5-6) in the wrecks of the ship, this line specifically demonstrates to the reader Miranda’s delicate and sensitive nature. Another example of Miranda’s adolescent and immature nature is when she asks Ferdinand if he loves her (III.i.80) showing that she is not sure about how to assess Ferdinand and his actions. This nature of Miranda fuels the character that Miranda embraces for most of the play. These characteristics develop the reader to think of Miranda as a sort of child that is innocent and unaware of the ways of the world.
Another important aspect of Miranda’s character is that she does not doubt her father and she is oblivious to most that is going on around her. For example, she does not question as to why they live on an island separated from the world. She is told the reason for their dilemma by her father in the first act and begins wondering “what foul play had [they] that they came from” (I.ii.75) their kingdom and in retaliation to which her father tells her the story of their betrayal. Her belief in the story and obedient character represents her faithfulness and trust in her father. Furthermore, as Prospero plots the meeting, and eventual marriage, of Miranda to Ferdinand, Miranda is exhibited as being completely unaware of her father’s control and regulation of the matter. These events demonstrate the fact she is oblivious to what is going on around her thus may be used and extremely loyal to her father.
Miranda’s strength and astonishing behaviour is displayed unexpectedly in the play. As she converses with Ferdinand,