Mothers in William Shakespeares The Tempest Essay -- William shakespe

Mothers in William Shakespeares The TempestAlthough Mirandas draw and Sycorax never actually appear in The Tempest, their memories occupy a precarious position in Prosperos will to advocate. Prospero invokes the memory of Mirandas mother to legitimize his lineage, yet feels threatened by the control she exerts all over it. His narration deftly erases his wifes presence from Mirandas memory, variant him the sole purveyor of his daughters imagination. Prospero employs a discourse which affirms maternal situation through the denial of female sexuality. He negates the legitimacy of Sycoraxs matriarchate by constructing Sycorax as not only an evil witch, but too an unchaste mother. Such a discourse opposes Calibans claim to the island art object justifying Prosperos usurpation of power. Although Miranda recalls having four or five female attendants, she has no memory of a mother. Indeed, Prospero alludes to his wife only once during his recount of the events which co mpel him from Milan to the islandProspero Twelve years since, Miranda, twelve years since, Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and, A prince of power Miranda Sir, are not you my father?Prospero The mother was a piece of virtue, and She utter thou wast my daughter and thy father Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir and princess no worse issued. (1252-58) Mirandas unwitting question provokes a strange reply from Prospero. He admits to relying on his wifes word that Miranda is his daughter. In doing so, he reveals his alienation from Mirandas birth and the possibility of illegitimacy. Mirandas mothers power to bear children exerts a threatening cont... ...ief invocation of Mirandas mother asserts the purity of his lineage, yet also divides Prosperos parental authority. In suppressing his wifes presence, Prospero emerges as Mirandas sole guardian, fashioning his daughter into his nigh prized possession. Prosper o constructs Sycorax as an unchaste witch (foiling his construction of his own wife) in ordination to enslave Caliban and prevent him from polluting Mirandas body. Although Prospero overpowers Caliban with magic that is unrivalled in Sycoraxs absence, he cannot silence Calibans claim to the island via a matriarchal lineage. His blandishment literally bastardizes Sycoraxs dynasty, but is not convincing enough to drive the shadow of doubt cast by Calibans matriarchal discourse. Sycoraxs memory emerges as point of contention, compelling readers to question Prosperos narrative, and thence his claim to power.