The Use of Magic in William Shakespeares The Tempest - Book Report/Review Example

The use of magic in William Shakespeare's The Tempest. William Shakespeare wrote The Tempest. It is assumed that literarydepictions of the supernatural function as exaggerated representations of natural capacities and phenomena. This essay discusses the significance of Prospero's magical powers and his use of them. This essay also examines why he has to bury his staff and drown his book before returning to Milan. Prospero uses his magical powers to command Ariel, his servant tree spirit. He reveals that he is responsible for ordering the storm; 'Hast thou, spirit, Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee' (Act 1, Scene 2). The significance of this use of magic is to disperse the fleet of ships and men. The prince's and king's ship have been safely brought to harbor. Another ship with some of the king's men has been influenced to return to Naples. Prospero has separated and isolated the king because he has plans for the king. In Act 1, Scene 2, the relationship between Prospero and his servant Ariel is explored. Prospero uses magic to free Ariel from his imprisonment in his tree but keeps him bonded in servitude to him because he needs Ariel's help. When Ariel reminds Prospero of his promise to liberate him, Prospero reminds Ariel that he has done a great job of freeing him from his prison and does not ask too much of him with his requests. Prospero tells Ariel that his former mistress, the witch Sycorax, asked him to perform tasks so wicked that Ariel himself could not comply. Prospero uses his intellect to raise arguments to persuade Ariel to remember to be grateful for his semi-liberty and relatively easy tasks assigned to him. Prospero does not use magic to persuade Ariel here. He succeeds and Ariel agrees to serve him still. Prospero has to enlist the help of Ariel and he could have exaggerated the extent of his magical powers to incite fear and obedience from Ariel. He reminds Ariel of the good he has done for him. Prospero's magical hold over Ariel is more of a persuasive and influential one than that of mysterious manipulation through magic. Prospero does not want his daughter Miranda to see the tree spirit so he casts a spell over her; 'Thou art inclined to sleep; 'tis a good dulness, And give it way: I know thou canst not choose.' (Act 1, Scene 2). Prospero wakes Miranda only after Ariel leaves. He does not want Miranda corrupted by the sight and knowledge of evil or have a poor opinion of her father commanding a spirit to do work. Prospero shows that he uses magic only when he is forced to do so. For example, he is kind to Caliban; letting him sleep in his own sleeping quarters, in the same cell, until Caliban attempted to molest Miranda. Then, Prospero deemed it safer to use magic to confine Caliban to a rock. Prospero says; 'But thy vile race, Though thou didst learn, had that in't which good natures Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou Deservedly confined into this rock, Who hadst deserved more than a prison.' (Act 1, Scene 2). It is not elaborated on exactly how Caliban is confined to the rock. He could have been physically chained and not kept restricted by magic. Prospero uses magic and influence to colonize Caliban because he thinks that the dark skinned native is incomparable to the whites. Prospero is correct because when Caliban rebels against him, he voluntarily changes his old master for new one in Stephano and Trinculo. This happens in Act 2, Scene 2, when Caliban is infatuated with two men whom he has never seen before; Trinculo and Stephano. He wants to follow them. Caliban seems simple minded and irrational. He does not understand that if he follows a new master, he is free from Prospero but does not get his own liberty. So he wants to follow Trinculo and Stephano for the wrong reasons. Sometimes, it seems that Prospero has no real magical hold over Caliban other than his exhortations to get Caliban's loyalty and service. Prospero uses threats to cause bodily pain to Caliban. Caliban is simple and does not know how to deal with Prospero's form of control over him. In Act 3, Scene 1, Prospero says he need to consult his book to perform important business. His book empowers him with the knowledge to use his authority over Ariel, Caliban, the spirits and other magic. Caliban knows about this and he betrays Prospero by teaching Trinculo and Stephano how to overcome Prospero in Act 3, Scene 2. Caliban tells the two men from Naples to remove Prospero's books because he is powerless without his books. It appears Prospero has no hold over Caliban who is unafraid of his master when he is out of sight from him. This gives doubt and questions over the issue of Prospero's magic and authority over Caliban. Prospero uses Ariel's magic to set up the disappearing dinner table scene for Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco and some others in Act 3, Scene 3. In other instances, he uses his wisdom to warn and advice instead of using magic. For example, in Act 4, Scene 1, Prospero warns his future son-in-law Ferdinand, to respect Miranda and not lie with her until after their marriage. He verbally threatens Ferdinand with admonitions and does not mention magic. It seems Prospero is very discrete when he uses his magic. He does confide in Ferdinand that he calls up spirits to perform work for him. (Act 4, Scene 1). At the end of the play in Act 5, Scene 1, Prospero has achieved his desires of having his dukedom returned to him, forgiven his brother Antonio, reconciled with King Alonso, and freed Ariel and Caliban. He thinks he has no more use of magic. Prospero says; 'But this rough magic I here abjure, and, when I have required Some heavenly music, which even now I do, To work mine end upon their senses that This airy charm is for, I'll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, And deeper than did ever plummet sound I'll drown my book.' (Act 5, Scene 1). Prospero means that when Heaven sends good 'music' to do justice for his wrongs and effect actions for his desired consequences, he will break his staff. He used magic before because Heaven did not send 'music' to help him. He says he 'abjures' the rough magic because he desires to avoid using magic which is unnatural. He goes on to recount the list of injustices done to him to explain why he has used magic for his purposes of seeking justice. When he has no need of seeking redress for his wrongs, he gives up practicing magic. Prospero refers to his room as his 'cell'. He implies that his stay on the island is an imprisonment when he says; 'Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell: I will discase me, and myself present... (Act 5, Scene 1). Prospero will 'discase' himself and free himself from the magic and ornaments of magic like the staff and book. He does not want his fellow men in Milan to know that he used magic or will use magic. He is a duke and wants respect for his actions. He is supposed to be a noble leader to give a good example. He thinks using magic is not a fair means of gaining his desires and this might ruin his reputation with his King Alonso and the people around him. This is why Prospero does not tell the people from Milan about Ariel or his magic. King Alonso already has suspicions on the strange turn of events when everyone has been found and they are all safe and sound. Prospero wants to avoid speculation on how the events have turned out because he does not want King Alonso to know he ahs used magic or manipulated the event of the ships being washed ashore at the island. He does not want his King to have suspicions on him since he desires to return to civilization in Naples. Prospero says; 'Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on The strangeness of this business; at pick'd leisure Which shall be shortly, single I'll resolve you, Which to you shall seem probable, of every These happen'd accidents; till when, be cheerful And think of each thing well. (Act 5, Scene 1). When Prospero tells Ariel to untie the spell (Act 5, Scene 1), it seems that Ariel is the one responsible for the magic spell over Caliban. Prospero does mention that he gives Ariel the power to rule over the servants like Caliban and some other minor beings. Ariel is like a supernatural familiar that hangs around his master to assist him. Prospero frames the three; Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, for robbing him. He does this in return for their plot of treason and murder against himself. He has them dressed in stolen apparel for this charge. It is a minor punishment considering that they had planned to kill him. He does not use magic when he thinks that cunning and planning will achieve the purpose. Prospero gives instructions to Ariel to set Caliban and his companions (Stephano and Trinculo) free because he has made his point with the King about them. Prospero shows to his King Alonso that he forgives his transgressors. He wants to make a good impression on his king. Prospero's epilogue shows that he speaks to an unseen force. He confesses that he has thrown away his 'charms' or magic and gives himself up to the force that is ever present on earth that he does not call by name. Prospero wants to use the good force from prayer. He says; 'And my ending is despair, Unless I be relieved by prayer, Which pierces so that it assaults Mercy itself and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardon'd be, Let your indulgence set me free.' (Act 5, Scene 1). Prospero believes that the good he does by forgiving his enemies will bring him goodwill that will set him free to sail away from this island. This explains why he has given up his magic staff and book too. When Shakespeare made Prospero give up his book, it seemed like it was a symbolic farewell since the book can also mean the literature of the plays. However, Shakespeare showed that the parting of the book was symbolic only within the confines of this play since The Tempest was not the last play he wrote. Shakespeare's play is performed at the Globe Theater. Prospero makes a reference to the globe; 'The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind.' (Act 4, Scene 1). It could be an indirect reference to the theater and the stage illusions which make the magic. This magic stops when the play ends and the pageant and clothes are removed. Shakespeare included short masques in the play, presented to King Alonso and Ferdinand. It was the tradition to present masques as complimentary shows to honor dignities. The masque includes singing, dancing, acting, elaborate costumes and stage designs. The intention is to present an allegory that shows respect to the dignities watching the play. For example, in Act 3, Scene 3, the masque is performed for King Alonso and his men when several strange shapes bring in a banquet and honor them with the invitations to eat. In Act 4, Scene 1, Ferdinand is treated to a masque of singing performed by the spirits Iris, Ceres and Juno. Due to its grand and elaborate nature, the masque segments could be seen or misunderstood as magic within the play. Shakespeare gave Prospero the use of magic as his technique to stage theatrical illusions in The Tempest. The end. Works Cited. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. "The Tempest". 13 Nov. 2000. The Tech. 10 Apr. 2007. < http://shakespeare.mit.edu/tempest/index.html >. Read More