Gonzalo (Shakespeare)
Encyclopedia
An honest and trusted adviser to King Alonso of Naples, Gonzalo is one of the few characters in The Tempest
who has a good heart and is described as noble. For example, when Prospero
and his daughter, Miranda, were set adrift at sea, Gonzalo took pity on the two of them, supplying them not only with the food and water necessary to survive but also with those things that make life easier. In addition, Gonzalo is the only character able to see Caliban
for more than a demonic beast. Gonzalo first arrives on the Prospero's island
with Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Antonio, Stefano, and Trinculo during a storm whilst returning from the wedding
of Alonso’s daughter. During their time on the island, Gonzalo repeatedly attempts to lighten the mood by discussing the beauty of the island. An old, honest lord, he speaks cheerfully on the miracle of the reconciliation of the lords.
Gonzalo is Shakespeare's "role model" for Elizabethan society, and Shakespeare uses the character in many ways, such as to voice his own opinion.
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
who has a good heart and is described as noble. For example, when Prospero
Prospero
Prospero is the protagonist in The Tempest, a play by William Shakespeare.- The Tempest :Prospero is the rightful Duke of Milan, who was put to sea on "a rotten carcass of a butt [boat]" to die by his usurping brother, Antonio, twelve years before the play begins. Prospero and Miranda survived,...
and his daughter, Miranda, were set adrift at sea, Gonzalo took pity on the two of them, supplying them not only with the food and water necessary to survive but also with those things that make life easier. In addition, Gonzalo is the only character able to see Caliban
Caliban
Caliban is a character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest.Caliban may also refer to:* Caliban , a moon of Uranus* Caliban , a metalcore band from Germany* Caliban , an acoustic Celtic folk duo...
for more than a demonic beast. Gonzalo first arrives on the Prospero's island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
with Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Antonio, Stefano, and Trinculo during a storm whilst returning from the wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
of Alonso’s daughter. During their time on the island, Gonzalo repeatedly attempts to lighten the mood by discussing the beauty of the island. An old, honest lord, he speaks cheerfully on the miracle of the reconciliation of the lords.
Gonzalo is Shakespeare's "role model" for Elizabethan society, and Shakespeare uses the character in many ways, such as to voice his own opinion.