Dear all,
Thank you for all your wonderful responses to Sir Thomas Gainsborough’s portrait of John Joseph Merlin.
This week we turn our attention to Gainsborough’s rival Sir Joshua Reynolds and his painting “The Hon. Mrs Tollemache as ‘Miranda’. Work through the PPT and watch the animated version of Shakespeare’s play.
As always we look forward to reading your responses to the painting and play below.
I wrote from Miranda‘a point of view.
Thank you Emilia. What a fantastic first post on the Tempest. I think the balance of your opening two sentences works really well.
As soon as I saw a young man standing right in front of me I looked at him then we intansly fell in love we were girlfreind and boyfreind
I really love it keep going bff
Miranda is thinking is that a spirit
Yes. What does she mean by that Indika? Why does she compare him to a spirit?
Miranda
As he looked at me ,I saw the sun glinting in his
eyes. He was the most beautiful thing in my life.
I could imagine Miranda saying this.
Prosperous who is this he’s like us but younger. I know he shall Mary my daughter yes an they will be the next airs to the throne .But what if he is not worthy of the throne and what if he is not kind .
miranda: “Oh my, who is that over there . he looks like someone from my girly dreams.
Ha. That made me smile Laurel.
as soon as my father brought me here i never thought id never see a man or even dream of
Yes that’s very close to what Miranda was thinking. Do you know what she actually said?
i was so shocked to see him because we thought it was a spirit i was terrified it wa a terrible feeling i thought i was going to die maybe i will die!!
Thank you for sharing Louis.
“I felt so excited, as I thought he looked like a hansom spirit.
Yes she does call him a “spirit”. Why do you think she says this?
Miranda
“Oh my god!” Miranda said. “Am I dreaming?Dad,please can you bring him to me.” Miranda exclaimed desperate to meet this ‘godly’ man. As he docked the bay Miranda ran forward.
Thank you Arun. Does Prospero approve of Miranda’s love?
miranda:
who is this? I have never seen some one like him. she feels
happy
“Oh my!” Miranda gasped. “Who on earth is that dazzlingly young handsome man”? She lunged forward. “I must meet him”she exclaimed
I wonder if Miranda would lunge forward Bela? Maybe she wouldn’t be able to help herself?
I am so astounded that man is so hansom and beautiful !
I must marry him !
His eyes are so dazzling .
Oh my I’ve never seen anyone so gorgeous in my life I must marry him right away. I wonder if he loves me. I shall spend all my time with him but father will not agree he is furious.
Why is Prospero furious Eva?
Prosper: (thinks) He looks a bit dodgy. I must meet him ! “Hello young boy what is it that thy desires?”
Boy “Your daughter.”
Prosper : (thinks) oh my no!
Ha. That made me laugh Paddy.
I think prospero is stubborn. Prrosper is feeling very angry because he is thinking how can they try and kill the king and his father.
Prospero’s point of view
“Who is this young man? Why is my daughter reacting so strangely to him? I’m not sure about him. I don’t trust him.”
Thank you Rowan. It’s interesting exploring Prospero’s perspective too.
miranda must of been thinking who is that and were did it come from
Prospero
As soon as I saw the prince, I knew he would fall in love with my beautiful Miranda so I set him working day and night.
I chose to be: Miranda
I looked at the man. He had flaming red hair and sea blue eyes.
I instantly fell in love. “Who is he?”I asked my father “a spirit?”
“No,” murmured my father “a prince.” As we watched, he came forwards. He held his hands out and I took them. “You are a very nice woman,” he told me. I was speechless.
A lovely account Emma. Do you think Ferdinand may have used a more flattering phrase when first greeting Miranda?
Ferdinand:Oolala she is cuuuuuuute!
This man , I know my daughter likes him
but is he really worthy to be Duke and my daughters love . He is so
ROMANTIC! we will just have to see.
Prospero: Let’s test this young man to see if he is worthy of my daughter
As my eyes met his,
my heart started to race, my stomach filled with butterflies.
I knew he was the one
Thank you Iris. Miranda would indeed speak in verse. Shakespearean high-ranking characters like gentlewomen would usually speak in verse while minor characters would speak in prose.
Prosper: “Uh oh, I think Miranda is in love with this man. She has never seen a man before, and he’s already asked her to be Queen of Naples! I don’t know if this man is kind or good. Maybe he is evil!”
Thank you Alexander. I think you sum up Prospero’s thoughts well.