Discoveries can emerge through different means and offer new understandings of ourselves and the world.
How is this perspective on discovery explored in your prescribed text and ONE other related text of your own choosing?.
An individual's discovery may be manipulated by an over-powering figure but can lead to self-discovery, thus shaping future experiences and relationships. Shakespeare's 17th century The Tempest and The Peony Lantern, set in the 19th century, by Frances Watts, both address how a controlled discovery can shape future experiences and relationships – which are the means of discovery. These texts also offer new understandings of one's self and the way the characters view the world in a new perception.
Within The Tempest, Prospero is the over-powering figure to Miranda. Miranda's discovery is carefully planned by Prospero. He deliberately conjured the storm to lure Ferdinand onto the island in order for Miranda and Ferdinand to meet and fall in love. Miranda calls him "a thing divine" as she has never seen something "so noble" before. Divine imagery conveys the reactions of Miranda and Ferdinand upon meeting. Miranda has never seen another person on the island before which displays Prospero's power over her discovery as he chose to take Miranda to the island when she was young. Miranda and Ferdinand's shared line of "Am I this patient log-man. Do you love me?" depicts their discovery of love for each other. The word patient shows that Ferdinand is waiting for the opportunity to marry Miranda since he has to do tasks before being able to be with Miranda which were set by Prospero, displaying the power that he has over Miranda. However, through the governing and orchestration of Miranda's discovery, it has enabled Miranda to pursue her love for Ferdinand and escape the traditional cultural norms of the 17th century by proposing to Ferdinand first due to her lack of understanding of the marital values during the 17th century.
