Character sketch Of Ferdinand
Ferdinand is the son of Alonso, King of Naples, and heir to the throne. While voyaging back from Tunis, after attending his sister's marriage, he is shipwrecked. During the shipwreck, Ferdinand shows courage and presence of mind. He braves the fury of the angry sea waves and manages to escape by pacing the waves with brawny strokes. This is proof of his courage, physical strength and will power. He undergoes the hardship imposed upon on him by Prospero and shows himself as a fearless and courageous man. He draws his sword but is rendered helpless by the magical powers which he cannot fight against.
The young man is an ardent lover. He is drawn to the divinely beautiful Miranda at the first glimpse of her and is hooked for life. He says that, if he can have a glimpse of her, it would compensate him for all his hard work to which Prospero is subjecting him. He is willing to do the manual labour entrusted to him, just so that he can be with Miranda. He says that he comes in contact with many ladies possessing several qualities but he always found some flaw in each of them and also they fade in his eyes after he meets the lovely daughter of Prospero. He says that Miranda is to him"perfect and peerless" and "created of every creature's best". He is a chivalrous young man who gently refuses to take the help of the lovely lady. His sense of responsibility and honesty makes him resist the temptation of taking a respite from his arduous task.
Ferdinand is a true lover. His love is not just infatuation. He promises that he will not take advantage of the innocence of Miranda, under any temptation. He is prudent enough to think of the future of their marriage as he wants peace, trust, and the happiness of an enduring marriage and family life in the company of healthy children.
Ferdinand loved his father and was much attached to him. The heir of Naples proves to be a loving son. He has been gloomy grieving when he realizes that his father has drowned. He says that, since he saw the shipwrecked, his eyes have not been "at ebb".Prospero speaks of him as "something staine'd with grief". He automatically assumes the position left by his father but not with glee or any ambitious goal. His delight in reuniting with his father is genuine, without any trace of pretence. He also admits to his father that he has taken the liberty to choose Miranda as his wife, under the impression of he being no more. When he meets his father, he experiences a thrill of joy and kneels before him with a son's devotion.
Although Ferdinand has the qualities required for a hero, however, he falls that short of that larger than life caricature usually meant for a romantic figure. This is mainly because he is only a hero of subplot and his overshadowed by Prospero, the protagonist of the main plot. At the same time the integrity of his character, his passion for his lady love, his genuine respect for his father and would-be father-in-law, his delight at the wonderful masque and other supernatural happenings in the island, all portray him as a lovable young man who has to learn with experience and exposure.
Thus we can conclude that Ferdinand is brave, honourable and pure in his thought. In his relationship with Miranda, he displays loyalty, grace, and self-sacrifice.