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प्रश्न
Referring closely to Act IV, scene i:
Describe the blessings showered by Ceres and Iris on Miranda and Ferdinand. What is the significance of these blessings?
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उत्तर
In order to celebrate the betrothal of Miranda and Ferdinand, and to demonstrate his prowess as a magician. Prospero entrusts Ariel to organise a masque. Goddesses are invited to celebrate “a contract of true love” and grant blessings to the couple.
Juno, the goddess of all goddesses, confers honour, riches, all happiness in married life, and the continuance of all these throughout their life. She wishes that their happiness will double and multiply day by day.
Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, summons Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, to bestow her blessings on the young couple. She promises Earth’s increase arid foison plenty and blesses that their barns will never be empty, thick bunches of grapes will always grow on their vines, and trees will be overloaded with fruits throughout the year. She wishes “Spring come to you at the farthest/In the very end of the harvest”, so that there cannot be winter in their lives. In other words, scarcity or lack of anything will never trouble. them, and that is assured by the goddess of plenty.
Iris is the rainbow that unites the earth and the sky. She blesses their wedded lie and summons the nymphs of the stream and the reapers to the dance on the green. The blessings emphasize fertility- a desired quality in any marriage. The significance of this most “majestic vision/ and harmonious charmingly,” as Ferdinand describes, is that it is a father’s gift to his daughter and her betrothed, a most befitting way to shower his blessing through the words of the divine beings. These are the divine gifts every parent wants their children to have. Prospero only presents the masque after a frank discussion of sexuality, as he feels Ferdinand may feel tempted by his attraction towards Miranda. It is pertinent to note, together, these two deities symbolise family and prosperity, giving the couple a blessing that moves away from any suggestion of physicality. The role of marriage in society is emphasised.
