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Scene Study prepares you to perform key scenes for your theater class or audition. We've got all the information you need for a great performance.
Excerpt from Act 3, Scene 1 Dialogue: Ferdinand, Miranda, Prospero
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Understanding the Given Circumstances
- The scene takes place on Miranda’s father Prospero’s island, near his cell, where Ferdinand performs the laborious task of carrying logs. This is part of Prospero’s test of Ferdinand’s love and character.
- Ferdinand is a prince who believes he has lost his father in the shipwreck. His willingness to perform hard labor shows his devotion to Miranda, whom he has just met but quickly fallen in love with.
- Miranda, having lived in isolation with her father, has never interacted with young men other than Ferdinand.
- Prospero remains hidden for much of the scene, secretly observing the interaction between Miranda and Ferdinand to determine whether Ferdinand is worthy of his daughter. Prospero’s asides signal his satisfaction with their growing bond.
Blocking and Movement
In theater, blocking is the process of planning the actors’ physical movements and positions. Be sure to show respect and establish trust when working with scene partners. As you prepare to block this scene, ask yourself the following questions:
- Where should Ferdinand begin the scene? How does Ferdinand’s physical labor influence his movements?
- How does Miranda’s entrance affect Ferdinand? How close should Miranda stand when she enters? Think about Miranda’s initial feelings for him. How do her feelings affect how she first approaches Ferdinand?
- How does the distance between Ferdinand and Miranda change, and how do they move throughout the scene to reflect the shifting conversation? How can this physical proximity reflect their growing emotional connection?
- How might Ferdinand’s posture and movements shift when he confesses his feelings?
- At what point do Ferdinand and Miranda make physical contact?
- How should Prospero’s hidden observation be staged?
- When Miranda proposes marriage, how might both characters physically react?
- How do Ferdinand and Miranda exit “severally”?
Character Relationships
Thoroughly exploring each character’s background and relationship with other characters in the scene can be one of the most crucial aspects of developing a performance.
When approaching this scene for performance, ask yourself the following questions:
- What motivates Ferdinand’s actions toward Miranda? How does his willingness to endure physical labor reflect his feelings?
- How does Miranda view Ferdinand? How do her words and actions reveal her feelings?
- What is the nature of Ferdinand and Miranda’s developing relationship? How quickly do they trust each other? What is the impression that they give off based on their dialogue?
- How does Prospero influence their relationship? How might his silent presence in this scene affect its tone?
- Ferdinand is a prince performing manual labor, while Miranda offers to share his burden. How does this reversal of expected roles of their time impact their connection?
- What role does trust play? How can the performance of Ferdinand and Miranda highlight the tension between fear of rejection and hope for acceptance?
- How does Miranda’s isolated life on the island affect her understanding of love?
Full Act 3, Scene 1 Dialogue: Ferdinand, Miranda, Prospero
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