Prospero's Selfishness

John Thompson

        Being a good parent is a difficult job, and demands full time attention. In Shakespeare's The Tempest we observe a single father rearing his daughter. This is a very delicate situation. I would like to analyze the character of Prospero to see whether or not he would be considered a good parent by today's standards. I have chosen How to Be a Super Dad from about.com as a reference in determining how a good father should act.

        In The Tempest Prospero, the Duke of Milan, and his daughter are left for dead in the middle of the sea. This is an evil plot by Prospero's brother to take over as the Duke. However, Prospero and Miranda do not die. They are left shipwrecked on a deserted island. This leaves Prospero with the task of rearing Miranda all alone from a young age.

        A good father should know that life doesn't revolve around his wants and needs. It seems as though Prospero is not very aware of this. He spends the majority of his time reading books on how to become a magician. Prospero spends very little of his time with Miranda. Also Miranda would need some kind of social interaction with someone other than her father, which she can't get by staying on the island. Yet, Prospero seems to be in no hurry to leave the island.

        Another quality of a good father is patience. Prospero is lacking in this characteristic. He is continually hypnotizing his daughter to avoid dealing with her. Also, if he had been more patient he might have dealt with Caliban in a better manner. However, Prospero chose to socially exile him.

        Prospero does manage to take time for fun each day, but he excludes Miranda. He reads about magic all day for his entertainment. At the same time he seems unaware that Miranda requires entertainment also. He is happy leaving her with Caliban until he sees him as a threat. Then Prospero shelters Miranda from Caliban.

        He doesn't seem to have a problem with being flexible. Since they live on a deserted island what is going to happen that will press him for time? That is one of the few things he does get right, but how could he get it wrong in his situation.

        Another thing Prospero seems to get right is being the authority figure. There is no question as to who runs the household. Clearly Caliban and Miranda recognize his authority. Caliban learns this first hand when he is chained for his actions against Miranda.

         Prospero doesn't seem to be a good listener. Caliban would have been bound to say something in defense of himself after attempting to “rape” Miranda. However,
Prospero did not listen. With his powers of hypnosis Prospero was not forced to develop good listening skills.

        Prospero is lacking in honesty. He keeps Ariel hidden so it will seem as though he has the magical powers. Prospero also puts Miranda to sleep with hypnosis without
her knowing. He hides the truth that they could get off the island. So he definitely is not an honest father or man.

        Prospero seems to be adequate in keeping Miranda healthy. We are not led to believe she is otherwise. However, he fails miserably in bringing the community into the home. He chooses to keep out what community there is in Caliban. Prospero could have gotten Miranda and himself back to society anytime he wanted. All he needed to do was ask Ariel.

        I have omitted some qualities from the list, but that is because they do not apply. I believe it is painfully obvious that Prospero is an unfit father. Sadly, he thought he was doing what was best for his daughter, but actually with time it would have hurt Miranda. However, she was fortunate by meeting Ferdinand. When looked at with today's standards we see that Prospero was not a good father.

© 2001 John Thompson

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