68 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



He is moved that the work of mediation, forgiveness and charity, which had so 

 long devolved upon himself, is so ably borne by another. He is movgd by the joy 

 of the lovers: " Look down, you gods, and on this couple drop a blessed crown, 

 for it is you that have chalked forth the way which brought us hither." He points 

 out in a longer speech how all their actions, even the worst, have worked together 

 toward a good conclusion, and especially he rejoices that their experiences have 

 given them self-knowledge, a quality in which he professes himself to have been 

 deficient along with the others. His last words, in response to a good wish uttered 

 by Alonzo, are: 



" Be it so: Amen!" 



In this last scene the immense authority of Prospero confirms the impressions 

 already received of the character of Gonzalo. Prospero is actuated by personal 

 gratitude; but his firm utterances are not the exaggerations of sentiment, and a 

 closer observation of his praises show that he ascribes no powers to Gonzalo which 

 have not been clearly displayed by the counsellor's career. 



Gonzalo is to be judged by his actions, his utterances, and his reputation among 

 his associates. In the first scene, he appears cool and self-possessed in a moment 

 of the utmost peril, where action is impossible. He shows great fortitude, the 

 virtue of a situation of that nature. In the third scene he exerts himself to cheer 

 and revive the spirits of his comrades. It is true he falls asleep in innocent trust- 

 fulness though his master is in peril, yet it cannot be said that his sleeping was in 

 the circumstances blameworthy, nor out of harmony with the strictest sense of 

 duty to the King. It may, however, be said that a more suspicious and vigilant 

 counsellor would have taken greater precautions to protect the King from such a 

 friend as Antonio. In the latter part of this scene Gonzalo acts promptly and 

 wisely. 



In the seventh scene we learn that he has kept up with the younger nobles in 

 their search " through forthrights and meanders," and that he is fatigued by his 

 exertions for Alonso. After the magic banquet and the searching exhortation of 

 Ariel, Gonzalo acts promptly and kindly in despatching the younger followers of 

 the King to preserve him. 



In the ninth scene no action is called for on the part of Gonzalo, and he bears 

 himself with quiet and respectful attention in the presence of a greater and equally 

 benevolent man. The striking common quality of the actions of Gonzalo is that 

 they result from a hearty acceptance of charitable duty as the rule of life: he does 

 all he can to make others better and happier because unselfish devotion is his nature. 



His utterances in the four scenes agree with his actions: they are uniformly 

 gentle and moderate, long-suffering without meanness, good without cant, humble 

 without hypocrisy. His patience is boundless, and hence he recommends patience 

 with sincere faith in its transcendent benefits. When the others are in trouble 

 he thinks only of them and not of himself. When forgiveness and joy crown the 



