# Ferdinand — The Tempest character guide

> Ferdinand in The Tempest by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ferdinand Ay, Ferdinand Admired Miranda, O Ferdinand, Ferdinand Sir, Young Ferdinand

**First appearance:** 0000-the-tempest

## Snapshot

The Prince of Naples, separated from his father by the storm, submits to log-bearing servitude for the sake of a girl he has just met.

## Who they are

Ferdinand believes his father Alonso has drowned and finds himself alone on an island where a strange old man and a beautiful daughter are his only company. Prospero accuses him of spying and sets him to carry logs, a humiliation the prince accepts with surprising grace because Miranda's presence transforms the labor into devotion. His willingness to endure bondage for love, and the speed with which he and Miranda pledge themselves to each other, give the play its romantic engine and test whether Prospero's designs will permit genuine happiness.

## Relationships

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_romantic_

Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love, representing pure, youthful romance blessed by Prospero.

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_romantic_

Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love, representing pure, youthful romance blessed by Prospero.

### [Miranda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/miranda)

_romantic_

Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love, representing pure, youthful romance blessed by Prospero.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Bearing logs as a trial set by Prospero, he finds joy in the labor because of his love for Miranda.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Receives Prospero's blessing to marry Miranda and vows to remain chaste until the wedding.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Revealed playing chess with Miranda, reunited with his father.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters/ferdinand
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tempest_se/characters