"The Tempest" by William Shakespeare.

Essay by rgwillowsHigh School, 11th gradeB+, October 2005

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"Discuss if this play conforms to the traditional definition of romance"

In the play "The Tempest" one can observe a romantic relationship between the two characters, Miranda and Ferdinand. This relationship is based on love, a love that is pure and decent. This play conforms to the traditional definition of romance.

When one considers the traditional definition of romance the words pure and holy come to mind as the word traditional suggests the ways of old. It can be said that the ways of 'old romance' consist of not entering in sexual intercourse before marriage; if this was not done the woman would be considered as a prostitute and would be scorned. It can also be said that women belonged to their fathers until the time came for them to be married, and then they belonged to their husbands. The father of the bride also had to approve of the man marrying his daughter.

Traditional romance also has the connotations of falling in love at firsts sight and self-sacrifice and selfless love.

When Miranda first sees Ferdinand she falls in love immediately. She says, "I might call him A thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble" By this statement it is obvious that Miranda discovers something about Ferdinand that has great appeal to her. In the same way Ferdinand immediately acknowledges that Miranda is the women that he would like to marry as he says, "O, if a virgin, and your affection not gone forth, I'll make you the queen of Naples."

Ferdinand carries heavy logs for the sake of Miranda, he willingly endures the pain of carrying the logs as Prospero has forced this upon him. Miranda is concerned about Ferdinand and offers to help him. "Pray, set it down and rest you."...