'To what extent do you agree that the Masque is an "integral part of the action of the play" in The Tempest?

        Although the masque serves as a tool to augment some of the narrative aspects of the play, it also serves greater purposes; those of spectacle and symbolism. The play was Shakespeare’s last and at the time of writing he would have probably known this. It is therefore conceivable that for his final play he would have wanted to have put on a special show of theatrical splendour, particularly of a new and ground-breaking style such as the masque, to impress his audience. Prospero’s magical art of the masque would have been able to evoke awe and wonder amongst his audience.

        Despite this, the aspect of the masque which can perhaps be considered to be the most ‘integral’ is the symbolism illustrated through its performance. The audience of the time, who would have been becoming gradually more accustomed to the spectacle of the masque would have noticed the symbolic undertones of the performance of the masque and would have been remembered for longer than any other part of the play. Prospero is the character able to stir up the show and therefore the masque is a statement of his power. This reminds the audience that Prospero is still king of the island and has the potential to unleash more dominance than any other character. Prospero’s ability to create the masque links him to royal power. Other than a character in a play, the King or other people of royalty would be the only members of society able to have a court masque performed for them. Masques such as the ones performed in the Tempest, as part of a larger play are of course exceptions. It is also important to remember that the masque is a celebration of the wedding of Ferdinand to Miranda. The marriage is a matter of the state, part of Prospero’s plan to align himself with the power of Naples and therefore the masque can be seen as an assertion of Prospero’s power. Prospero’s power can also be viewed as a crucial narrative part of the play, but its symbolism is more important.

        The abrupt ending of the masque brings with it a new form of symbolism. Prospero refers to the “gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself,’ evoking his own form of Gonzalo’s earlier vision of his utopia. This is highlighted as being one of Shakespeare’s intentions through the use of Iris as one of the facets of the masque. She is the rainbow and therefore can be interpreted as a symbol of Prospero’s self-resolution. In fact, the masque can be seen as a resolution of the storm itself with the use of Iris as the rainbow perhaps likening Prospero’s situation to that of Noah (as George Herbert alluded to).

        The masque also can be seen to highlight Prospero’s meticulous desire for his daughter to marry and continue his dynasty. The masque is performed in celebration of Miranda’s marriage to Ferdinand. Prospero though insists on abstinence stating “be more abstemious.” In Stuart times it was vital that a young woman maintained her chastity until the time came to bear a child. Prospero needs her marriage to Ferdinand to be legitimate so that the dynasty he hopes to create can also be viewed as a just one.  The symbolism of how politically important the marriage is to Prospero is also conveyed through the masque. The presentation of Ceres, Iris and Juno in the masque brings a union of earth and air, fire and water. This harmony and balance is a sign that the marriage of Miranda to Ferdinand will be a fruitful one and shows the fulfilment of Prospero’s political ambitions.         

        The action of the play is clearly supplemented by the use of the masque. Through it Miranda and Ferdinand are finally brought together and the magic of the island is once again realised. Much of the symbolism of the contemporary politics and Prospero’s utopia can also be interpreted as being part of the narrative of the Tempest. However, in his last play it is unlikely that Shakespeare would use such a revolutionary method of entertainment such as the masque just to simply embolden his plot. Shakespeare wanted to not only evoke feelings of awe and inspiration through the use of the masque, but moreover to use it as a tool to showcase powerful and effective symbolism.