Parent Child Relationship In The Tempest

In modern society, the relationship between a parent and child is an ever-changing one. Although, parents of different cultures play different roles for their children as they grow up. In a time from Elizabethan England to the late 19th century Ireland, the fifth commandment, states, “Honor thy father and mother” although, most importantly “honor thy father” was the basis of the parent-child relationship. It was a patriarchal society and the daughters in these ages were possibly the greatest victims of that time—As the famous Scottish Reformer, John Knox said, “Women in her greatest perfection was made to serve and obey men.” Furthermore, the men regarded women in these times as “the weaker sex,” both physically and emotionally. During both periods, the men were the leaders and the females were their inferiors.

Prospero and Miranda, the father and daughter in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, are an example of a relationship between a father and daughter in Elizabethan England, however they were slightly different from the norm of their period. Prospero had to become

Prospero is in complete control of Miranda; he raises her in his image and as nearly all fathers of his day demands respect. He commands her, “obey, and be attentive” (Shakespeare 1.2.39) when he tells her the story of how they came to the island. Also alike the fathers of this time, Prospero would plan his daughter’s future marriage to Ferdinand. Ferdinand is the only man Miranda has ever seen, besides her father and Caliban so he immediately captivates her—they mutually fall in love. Prospero also controls the speed at which their relationship progresses, by accusing Ferdinand of only pretending to be the Prince of Naples and forces him to haul wood; this act only further exemplifies the power and control Prospero has over his