Guilty Gonzalo
"Gonzalo's guilt valorizes his conduct and speech" (Yachinin 43).
Gonzalo is a old and honest lord. But he constantly plagued with guilt. Why? I'm not too sure. It might be because he helped Prospero and Miranda escape to the island after Prospero was usurped, and now Prospero is getting revenge on all those who wronged him. I was not able to understand why he felt so much guilt through his speech - it seemed like all he did was remark on the beauty of the island.
In Act 5, Scene 1, Ariel remarks that all Gonzalo does is cry. I truly have no clue as to why he constantly cries. Is all of this his fault? The ambiguity within the play leave this question up for grabs constantly.
Comments
Gonzalo's guilt comes from the fact that he was part of the unjust exile of Prospero and Miranda. He didn't help them to escape he was just kinder to them by giving them clothes and sustanence. He was the one who was ordered to send them off to their deaths. His guilt is because he isn't a bad man and he didn't necessarily want to obey his orders, ergo his giving of food and supplies.
Posted by: Mara Barreiro | February 12, 2009 8:51 AM
Gonzalo feels guilty for obeying the orders of Antonio when he abandoned Miranda and Ferdinand at the island. Gonzalo gave them supplies, which demonstrated his personal values.
Posted by: Jenna | February 12, 2009 5:25 PM
Wow, Corey. I don't know the answer to your question about why Gonzalo always feels guilt; I don't even have an idea as to why. However, you really cleared a lot up for me about this play. I generally don't have trouble with Shakespeare, but I was majorly confused during my reading of "TheTempest." I didn't realize the reason why Prospero was on the island, which, I'm pretty sure, is a pretty important thing to have an understanding of.
Posted by: Bethany Bouchard | March 14, 2009 3:28 PM