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Threw ropes to magic castaway… (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prospero

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'castaway' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'threw ropes to magic' is the wordplay.
'threw' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'throw' mean this).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'magic' becomes 'pro' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ropes' anagrammed gives 'spero'.
'spero' put after 'pro' is 'PROSPERO'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prospero that I've seen before include "stage hero" , "29 9 [TEMPEST CHARACTER]" , "magician on stage" , "Shakespearean magician" , "Magician in the 5" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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