The Tempest Compared to Paradise Lost

The play, The Tempest, by William Shakespeare and the poem Paradise Lost, by John Milton are similarly written during the same time period of the sixteenth century. Both author’s create characters who have congruent roles, yet still make them different and unique. Not only do the writers use character roles that are related, but they also use coinciding settings, weather situations, and wording. Throughout this essay I will discuss and provide examples to support my theory. In The Tempest, Shakespeare creates the character Prospero to resemble certain qualities that God has. The author grants Prospero with special powers that allows him to control over things. For example, part of Prospero’s magical powers is to be able to watch over the relationship between Ferdinand and Miranda. He watches the couple very closely because he wants his daughter to keep her virginity until she is married. This is a deed that is nearly impossible to be fulfilled because they are stranded on an deserted island. For instance, in Act 3, Scene 1, Ferdinand and Miranda sneak away behind Prospero’s back and think that they are finally alone. However, Prospero is using his powers and is watching every move that they make. Prospero demands Miranda to stay away from Ferdinand because Prospero has little knowledge about his background and his personality. In order to get to know Ferdinand, Prospero makes him a slave in the beginning of Act 3, Scene 1 where “Ferdinand enters, bearing a log.” (T.T 3,1: 1) Throughout the play, Prospero makes it as if he does not want his daughter to be with Ferdinand. On the other hand, it was just an act that he way playing to test their love for each other. After getting to know Ferdinand, Prospero allows him to date his daughter. God does the same in Paradise Lost, when he introduces Adam and Eve to each other while informing them that they will be mates. There response was as stated:

“To give thee being I lent Out of my side