246 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



philosophy. Prospero begins to tell the story of himself and Miranda, but checks 

 himself: 



" No more yet of this, 

 For 'tis a chronicle of day by day, 

 Not a relation for a breakfast nor 

 Befitting this first meeting." 

 Having said merely what is necessary to the introduction of the son whom the king 

 has deplored so sincerely, and the daughter of Prospero whom the world had sup- 

 posed certainly lost, he shows them the lover playing at chess within the cell. 

 The happy scene that follows is simple almost to commonplaceness, and sublime 

 through its typical breadth. 



And is this the conclusion of the learning and magic of Prospero — to bring about 

 a happy wedding like any ordinary comedy? Is there no deeper meaning, no 

 worthier end, after all the complicated tragedy requiring the services of spirits and 

 the most unheard-of learning and power to set things to rights ? Such is the sim- 

 plicity of the poetic point of view that from it there can be no deeper meaning and 

 no more significant conclusion. Alonso echoes the commonplace judgment admi- 

 rably: 



"This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod; 

 And there is in this business more than nature 

 Was ever conduct of; some oracle 

 Must rectify our knowledge." 

 Prospero is vigilant and practical to the end, showing himself friendly to the honest 

 sailors and severe with the irresponsible delinquents, and yet as kind as true far- 

 sighted kindness permits in the balanced interests of the whole society and of each 

 member of it. 



How may the facts concerning Prospero be generalized? Prospero is friendly 

 to Gonzalo, whom he calls his true preserver. Yet Gonzalo is a weak character when 

 compared with Prospero; he has Prospero's kind, gentle, forgiving nature, but not his 

 aggressive strength in championing what he thinks right. Gonzalo is immensely and 

 positively good, but his lack of power disables him to such a degree that he is able only 

 to conciliate, placate, remedy evils already done, and quite unable to control powers 

 and events; he renders justice possible, but cannot make it prevail. Prospero will do 

 no wrong and take none. 



Prospero tells Ariel that he loves him dearly. But Ariel is playful, purposeless in 

 any social sense, far beyond and in advance of the order of the day. When all are 

 just and ideal, Ariel will be in his element, but he is not of himself able to feel the 

 needs of the little republic. 



Prospero is hostile to Antonio. Even while forgiving him he expresses the bit- 

 terest contempt for his character. Prospero has all the brilliant reason and splendid 

 energy of Antonio; but vitally fused with these powers in Prospero is the loving kind- 



