Falling in Love
Act III, Scene 1
Character Analysis
Ferdinand- Determined:
~"This my mean task would be as heavy to me as odious, but the mistress which I serve quickens what's dead and makes my labors pleasures..." (Shakespeare 3.1).
Miranda- Worried:
~" If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while; pray, give me that; I'll carry it to the pile" (Shakespeare 3.1).
~ "For my good will is to it, and yours it is against" (Shakespeare 3.1).
~ "O my father, I have broke your hest to say so!" (Shakespeare 3.1).
Prospero- Excited:
~"So glad of this as they I cannot be, who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing at nothing can be more. I'll to my book, For yet ere supper-time must I perform much business appertaining" (Shakespeare 3.1).
Theme Fighting for her love
"No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonor undergo, While I sit lazy by" (Shakespeare 3.1). Ferdinand means when he says this to Miranda he means he would strain and break his back for her love and he would rather work than her doing the work.
"O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound If I speak true! if hollowly, invert What best is boded me to mischief! I Beyond all limit of what else i' the world Do love, prize, honour you" (Shakespeare 3.1). Ferdinand is telling Miranda he loves, values and honors Miranda. He is talking to God and telling him to reward him if he is telling her the truth about his love for her.
Fighting for love is loving someone so much that you would do anything to earn their love.
Miranda
Ferdinand
Prospero
Discussion Questions
1) Does Ferdinand really mean what he says towards Miranda even though he's upset about his father?
* 2) Why was Miranda crying when Ferdinand told her how he felt about her?
3) Does Miranda believe Ferdinand when he tells her how he feels about her?
* 4) Why is Prospero so happy when Miranda and Ferdinand start to fall in love?
Important Quotes
Ferdinand
"O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound/ And crown what I profess with kind event/ If I speak true! If hollowly, invert/ what best is boded me to mischief! I/ beyond all limit of what else I' the world/ Do love, prize, honor you" ( Shakespeare 3.1).
Prospero
(aside) " Poor worm, thou art infected!/ This visitation shows it" ( Shakespeare 3.1)