The Effect of a Female Prospero

In the 2010 movie adaptation of the Tempest, Helen Miren plays the role of Prospera, a role traditionally always played by a male called Prospero. It is interesting the role in which gender plays on perception. In reading the Tempest, where Prospero is referred to with masculine pronouns, his actions towards Miranda seem much more controlling and manipulative. However, with Helen Miren cast in the role, the affection the character has towards Miranda is much more apparent. In casting a sleeping spell on Miranda, Prospera seems loving, rather than as in the text where putting Miranda to sleep seemed dismissive of her questions. In the text, Prospero seems to talk down to Miranda, acting as if he knows more as wizard who knows of the world of the island. Prospera, in the film, talks to Miranda gently, making it clear Miranda is the center of her world, and the reason she lives. This may be less of an effect of gender, and rather an effect of witnessing a play rather just reading it, or the acting ability of Helen Miren.