Explore the Use of Magic in ‘the Tempest’ - 1556 Words

Shakespeare Coursework – The Tempest Question: Explore the use of magic in ‘The Tempest’ William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ highlights a variety of different types of magic. Magic is an important part of this play because not only does it literally give Prospero his revenge but it also shows who has power and who does not have power. Magic is important in ‘The Tempest’ because basically without it there is no play. Shakespeare uses the magic to engage his audience and to almost make the audience believe that magic does really exist. The characters are affected by many different types of magic in many different ways. The character in the play with the most control over magic is Prospero. So in the eyes of the audience he is the most†¦show more content†¦Ariel’s magic is benign- but can be dangerous because not only can he make mistakes under his lack of free will but he is also permitted to not think about what he is doing. Prospero’s magic malignant because although physically he does not harm anyone. Emotionally he harms even his own daughter. Prospero compared to Ariel is actually less powerful yet Prospero is more controlling this portrays his character as strong and cunning to the reader. Ariel’s character however is portrayed as weak, foolish, and mindless. Also Miranda is put to sleep by Prospero we know this because Prospero says ‘Thou art inclin’d to sleep ... – I know thou canst not choose.’ (I. II. 185-186). By Prospero doing this it means that she is unaware of her surroundings including the airy sprit Ariel. This would affect Miranda deeply as if she were to find out that her dad was keeping another secret from her, she could be traumatised and never be able to trust her dad again. She also would probably feel even more lonely than before. The key events are continually affected by magic for example ‘The Tempest’ at the start of the play is entirely magic controlled by Ariel. Most of the magic used in these key events has aShow MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies And The Tempest1303 Words   |  6 PagesExplore the struggle/desire/theme of power and how it is presented in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘The Tempest’. In the novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding and ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare, power is a main theme throughout both texts. Both represent microcosm of outer society at the time the text was written. In Lord of the Flies it was a time when the world’s dominant countries were struggling for power over Germany which was known as the Cold war. The capitalist American’s wantedRead MoreOpposition between Art and Reality in Shakespeares The Tempest1062 Words   |  5 PagesOpposition between Art and Reality in The Tempest      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Tempest is a self-reflexive play that explores the boundaries of art and reality. 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