Tristan's Post!

Tristan Yerkes

English 2

Mr. Salsich

11 January 2009

Dost Thou Attend Me?:

The Use of Characterization, Conflict, and Internal Conflict in The Tempest By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare uses characterization and internal conflict on page 10 and 11 of “The Tempest” to portray how Prospero was rationalizing the act of sinking Gonzalo's ship. Shakespeare first uses characterization when Prospero repeatedly asks Miranda if she is listening. Prospero may think he is simply retaining Miranda's attention when he says, “Thou attend'st not.” but he is actually just pleading with her to not just hear what he is saying, but to agree and sympathize with him. Prospero cements this theory when he tells Miranda to listen, saying, “I pray thee, mark me” at the bottom of page 10 showing more of an air of pleading with her. Shakespeare uses internal conflict when Prospero appears swayed enough by Miranda's requests for him to stop the storm to explain why he is doing it. If Prospero had no doubts about conjuring the storm, and sinking the ship, he would most likely just kill everyone, and not pause to open himself up to vulnerability by explaining how evil Antonio is. Consequently, Prospero shows that he may be having second thoughts about the sinking of Gonzalo's ship, and he was unconsciously calling out for Miranda to keep convincing him that what he did was wrong, so that he may feel remorse. Shakespeare also uses conflict between Prospero and Antonio to show why Prospero sank Antonio's ship. Prospero says, “[Antonio] should be so perfidious!” showing his sincere dislike for Antonio, not a very well thought out reason for killing Antonio, but a reason nonetheless. Prospero also shows how they differ, telling Miranda that Antonio usurped his Dukedom. This scene is full of strong emotion, and much hate from Prospero towards Antonio, and by the end of it, Prospero has completely reassured himself and Miranda that causing the tempest was a wise choice.