A Feminist Reading of Miranda in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

Empowering the Voice: Unveiling Feminist Perspectives on Miranda in Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

Introduction: Constraints of Patriarchy: Miranda's Position in Shakespearean Society

William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" has been subject to numerous interpretations and readings over the years. One such reading is the feminist perspective of Miranda, the daughter of the play's protagonist, Prospero. Through a feminist lens, Miranda's character can be analyzed as a representation of the social expectations and limitations placed on women during Shakespeare's time. While traditional readings of the play often overlook Miranda's agency and potential for feminist interpretation, her character can be explored from a feminist perspective. By examining her relationships, dialogue, and actions within the play, we can shed light on Miranda's portrayal as a strong, independent woman challenging gender norms.

The Constrained Existence of Miranda: Isolation and Passive Agency

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Miranda's character is introduced as a sheltered young woman who has been isolated from society for most of her life. She is raised by her father, Prospero, on a remote island, and her interactions with other human beings are limited to her father and the island's resident spirit, Ariel. This isolation and lack of socialization are representative of the societal expectations placed on women during Shakespeare's time. Women were often kept away from public life and were expected to stay within the confines of the domestic sphere.

Furthermore, Miranda's lack of agency is evident throughout the play. She is often a passive participant in the events that unfold around her and is frequently overshadowed by the male characters. For example, when she meets Ferdinand, the son of the King of Naples, she immediately falls in love with him and declares her willingness to marry him, despite having just met him. This lack of agency is reflective of the societal expectations placed on women to be submissive and obedient to men.

Defying Patriarchal Constraints

Miranda's character defies traditional patriarchal constraints by displaying traits that challenge the limitations imposed on women in Shakespearean society. She is portrayed as intelligent, perceptive, and curious, traits not typically associated with women during that era. Miranda's defiance is evident when she questions her father's authority and expresses a desire to explore the world beyond their isolated island.

Subverting Female Stereotypes

Miranda subverts female stereotypes prevalent in Shakespeare's time. She is not merely a passive love interest but a character with agency and autonomy. Unlike other female characters in Shakespeare's plays, Miranda actively participates in shaping her destiny. She initiates conversations and forms her own opinions, demonstrating a strong voice that challenges the patriarchal notion of women as submissive.

Empowered Relationships

Miranda's relationships in the play further highlight her feminist qualities. Her connection with her father, Prospero, is characterized by mutual respect and intellectual equality. Prospero values her opinions and relies on her assistance, treating her as an equal rather than an inferior. Additionally, Miranda's relationship with Ferdinand showcases a partnership based on equality and mutual affection, rather than a transactional or subservient dynamic.

Embracing Independence

Throughout the play, Miranda displays a desire for independence and autonomy. She longs for liberation from the constraints of the island and expresses a yearning to explore the world beyond. Her longing for freedom mirrors the feminist struggle for agency and self-determination, challenging societal expectations that confined women to domestic roles.

Agency in Self-Discovery

Miranda's character development is centered around self-discovery, a journey emblematic of feminist liberation. Through her encounters with other characters, she gains knowledge and experiences that shape her understanding of the world. Her transformation from an innocent and sheltered young woman to a knowledgeable and compassionate individual symbolizes the empowering potential of feminist growth.

Criticism

William Shakespeare

For argument's shake, we can draw a parralel to Miranda and Juliet. Both Miranda and Juliet experience a lack of agency within their respective narratives. They are frequently overshadowed by the male characters in their lives. Miranda's agency is curtailed by her father Prospero's control and the limited options available to her on the secluded island. Juliet, on the other hand, is constrained by the expectations of her family and the social norms of Verona. Both characters are expected to be obedient and compliant, conforming to the patriarchal expectations of their societies. However, some critics argue that the feminist interpretation of Miranda is limited in scope, as it fails to consider the play's larger themes and messages. They argue that Miranda's character is not meant to be a feminist icon but rather a representation of innocence and purity. However, this argument overlooks the ways in which Miranda's character challenges the societal expectations and limitations placed on women during Shakespeare's time. Lilla Grindlay hints at the absence of women in "The Tempest" is a notable aspect of the play, as Prospero's beloved daughter stands as the sole human female inhabitant on the island. Following the shipwreck, the island becomes increasingly populated by men, highlighting the gender disparity within the narrative. Samuel Taylor Coleridge observed of Miranda that ‘she expresses all the delicacy of innocence, yet with all the powers of her mind unweakened by the combats of life’.

Conclusion

However, despite these limitations, Miranda's character can also be seen as subversive. She challenges the gender norms of her time by expressing her own desires and opinions. For example, when Prospero tells her the story of their past and how they came to be on the island, Miranda expresses her sympathy for the people who were displaced by her father's actions. She says, "O, I have suffered / With those that I saw suffer!" (Act I, Scene 2). This statement shows that Miranda is capable of empathy and independent thought, despite the societal limitations placed on her. A feminist reading of Miranda's character in "The Tempest" reveals the ways in which societal expectations and limitations were placed on women during Shakespeare's time. Miranda's character is both reflective of these limitations and subversive of them, challenging the gender norms of her time. While some may argue that the feminist interpretation of Miranda is limited in scope, it cannot be denied that her character represents a larger societal issue that Shakespeare was addressing in his play.

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References:

British Library. (n.d.). British Library. https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/character-analysis-miranda-in-the-tempest

The Norton Shakespeare. (n.d.). The Norton Shakespeare | Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Suzanne Gossett, Jean E Howard, Katharine Eisaman Maus, Gordon McMullan | W. W. Norton & Company. https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393264029

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ‘The Moved and Sympathetic Imagination’, in Shakespeare: The Tempest, Casebook Series (1836; Basingstoke: Palgrave, 1991)

Shakespeare’s dramatic art. : History and character of Shakespeare’s plays : Ulrici, Hermann, 1806-1884 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/shakespearesdram01ulri

The complete works of William Shakespeare, with a full and comprehensive life; a history of the early drama; an introduction to each play; the readings of former editions; glossarial and other notes, etc., etc., from the work of Collier, Knight, Dyce, Douce, Halliwell, Hunter, Richardson, Verplanck, and Hudson. Edited by George Long Duyckinck : Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/completeworksofw00shakuoft