Queer Interpretations and Gender Fluidity in Shakespeare’s The Tempest
Shakespeare’s plays have long been the focus of literary analysis and criticism. While many academics have concentrated on his language and the nuanced characters he creates, a growing body of study has begun to look at the themes of gender and sexuality in his works. Shakespeare’s decision to make Ariel genderless in The Tempest has drawn significant attention recently. This decision has been seen as a statement recognizing the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals.
This paper examines possible queer interpretations of The Tempest and argues that Ariel’s lack of gender was a political statement about societal power structures and gender roles. It analyzes the relevance of Shakespeare’s decision to erase Ariel’s gender and the social and political ramifications of this decision through an analysis of the text and its historical setting. Moreover, the paper attempts to illuminate the complexity of Shakespeare’s work and its relevance to current concerns of gender and sexuality by analyzing the themes of power and gender in The Tempest.
Sex and Political Power: Prospero’s Motivations
Prospero is a complicated character in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. His motivations are influenced by several things, including his desire for political power and his sexual yearning for Miranda, his daughter. Prospero’s actions are motivated by his desire to safeguard and maintain Miranda’s sexuality, in addition to his ambition to establish himself as Milan’s legitimate ruler.
Early in the play, Prospero’s reasons for wanting to restore his political authority are evident. He employs sorcery to conjure the storm that transports his adversaries to the island, where he intends to seek revenge and reclaim the dukedom of Milan (Shakespeare 33). Prospero’s encounters with his adversaries throughout the play show that his ambition for political gain is a primary driving force behind his actions.
Prospero’s goals, nevertheless, go beyond his desire to advance politically. He also has a strong desire to control and limit Miranda’s sexuality. This may be seen in how he treats Ferdinand, whom he perceives as threatening his authority over Miranda. To prove to Ferdinand that he deserves Miranda and that his control over her is firm, Prospero uses his magic to test and manipulate Ferdinand’s love for her.
Furthermore, sex and power conflicts hinder Prospero’s relationship with Caliban (Shakespeare). Prospero used Caliban’s attempted attack on Miranda as evidence for his captivity of Caliban and as proof of his dominance over him. The way Prospero treats Caliban is a reflection of the colonialist ideas of the time, when racial and sexual power dynamics rationalized the subjugation of non-white populations.
The motivations behind Prospero in The Tempest are relatable to the queer community, particularly how he tries to govern and control Miranda’s sexuality. Miranda’s treatment by Prospero in many ways reflects the patriarchal beliefs of the time, when women’s sexuality was viewed as a danger to male authority and power. The queer community frequently addresses the subject of regulating and managing sexuality.
The social and political status quo has historically been threatened by the sexuality of queer people, which has resulted in their oppression and marginalization. The actions of Prospero can be regarded as a reflection of this same repressive mindset, in which the control and regulation of sexuality are utilized to retain power and control. Shakespeare may have chosen to acknowledge the presence of the queer community by having Ariel not have a gender. In this sense, Ariel’s persona reminds us that gender is not binary and that there are people who identify as LGBTQ+ who do not conform to conventional gender roles.
The regulation and management of sexuality have been used as a tool to maintain the social and political status quo, which has often resulted in the persecution and marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals. This same repressive attitude, which uses the control and regulation of sexuality to maintain power and control, can be seen in Prospero’s activities. Additionally, Shakespeare’s characterization of Miranda in The Tempest follows gender norms of the period.
Miranda is supposed to be subservient and obedient to her father’s demands as a young woman. As a masculine authority figure, Prospero is in charge of policing and regulating her conduct and sexuality. This dynamic is evident when Prospero confronts Ferdinand and accuses him of harboring immoral intentions for Miranda. In this scene, Prospero establishes his paternal authority and makes an effort to control and restrain Miranda’s sexuality. He does this by questioning Ferdinand’s motives and making him complete challenging tasks to demonstrate his worth.
The character of Caliban can also be understood as a mirror of colonialism and the gendered power structures of the time. Prospero and other European characters regard Caliban as a barbaric and uncivilized native of the island who is beneath them. The colonial attitude and the conviction in the superiority of European culture and morals are reflected in this picture of Caliban as the “other” and as someone to be dominated and controlled. Furthermore, another illustration of how gender roles and power dynamics are entwined in the play is the way Caliban is portrayed as being sexually aggressive against Miranda. Caliban’s yearning for her threatens Prospero’s authority over Miranda, and his effort to seize her is perceived as a breach of accepted gender norms and boundaries.
Miranda and Gender Expectations
As a female character in The Tempest, Miranda is bound by the gender norms and restrictions of her era. While she is depicted as being educated, compassionate, and brave, her actions and behaviors are restricted by the gender expectations that were prevalent in Shakespeare’s day. Being chaste and submissive were two of the main demands placed on women throughout the Elizabethan age.
Prospero, Miranda’s father, tries to regulate Miranda’s sexuality and keep her a virgin. To prove that he deserves her hand in marriage, he utilizes his magic to test and influence Ferdinand’s love for her (Shakespeare 45). This reflects the societal expectation that men should manage women’s sexuality and that a woman’s value is based on her capacity to entice and satisfy men.
Cultural norms of femininity constrain Miranda’s actions and behavior and her possible role as a bride. As a caregiver for her father and Caliban, she is described as kind and compassionate. Instead of using reason and reasoning, which were once regarded as masculine attributes, she lets her emotions dictate her choices.
Miranda is portrayed as a strong and resilient character, despite her drawbacks. She criticizes her father’s decisions when she thinks they are incorrect and stands up to him, demonstrating a willingness to defy social expectations in the name of justice and fairness.
In addition, the relationship between Miranda and Ferdinand in The Tempest represents the societal expectations for gender roles during the Elizabethan era. Miranda is portrayed as the embodiment of femininity, soft and nurturing, whereas Ferdinand represents the pinnacle of masculinity, strong and heroic. Regarding behavior, feelings, and power dynamics, their connection mirrors cultural expectations for men and women.
Ferdinand is the one who starts their courtship, displaying his masculine authority and agency. He uses strong, clear language to declare his love for Miranda, while Miranda responds in a more subdued, delicate manner. In relationships, men are expected to be forceful and dominant, while women are expected to be submissive and receptive. This dynamic reflects this social expectation.
Moreover, Ferdinand’s treatment of Miranda exemplifies how society expects males to care for and protect their relationships. He decides to move logs physically to impress Miranda and establish his suitability. This reflects the social expectation that males should provide for and protect women while providing for and protecting men. Despite these established gender boundaries, Miranda and Ferdinand’s relationship does show some degree of autonomy and independence. She challenges patriarchal authority and is willing to make decisions when her father questions Ferdinand’s motives.
In addition, rather than solely on physical attraction, their relationship is based on respect and appreciation, showing a more sophisticated and deep view of relationships beyond conventional gender norms. Miranda and Ferdinand’s relationship in The Tempest generally mirrors the gender norms and standards prevalent in Shakespeare’s day, with Ferdinand representing traditional masculine attributes and Miranda’s traditional feminine ones. However, their connection also shows that Miranda has some degree of agency and independence, which challenges some of the prevalent power relationships and gender stereotypes of the time.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2016.