The Tempest also has evidence of magic. His brother Antonio over threw Prospero who is the duke of Milan. Antonio and others were returning from his daughters wedding, when Prospero had heard about this, Prospero had immediately ordered to be shipwrecked by his spirit Ariel. His spirit Ariel had agreed o do this because Prospero had once feed her form a tree where she was trapped. Prospero’s daughter Miranda claims that she had seen the shipwreck and so Prospero calms her down and sets her to sleep. Prospero then calls his spirit Ariel who verifies that the nobles are safe on the island Ariel’s language is more respectful and polite therefore emphasising more calming and relaxing soothing situations. This is evidence of magic in the plat; that Ariel can generate illusions, and can also trick people into sleeping.
The Tempest opens up with themes such as anger, resentment, and revenge, which is represented through the storm; this reflects the mood of Prospero as a result of being over thrown. On board the Tempest are Antonio Sebastian and Gonzalo. The storm has effected the courtiers, they forget who they are that they stoop to a low level of being “Hell is empty all devils are here…” this is an indication of madness and humour, in relation to this situation, there is mockery o the lower class people such as Gonzalo. Sebastian and Antonio realise that their duties as noblemen and courtiers had suddenly been evaporated due to the situation, they are just simply in the way. Gonzalo accepts that he himself is humorous. Antonio and Sebastian only get abuse they have lost touch with reality before stepping foot on Prospero’s land.
In the sense and touch of magic Prospero’s spirit Ariel has reference of two songs they are highly significant which she approaches with the different aspects of situations that have been taken place on the island. Her first song is and invitation to dance upon the sand. Ferdinand is amazed by the music, he is drawn by it. The music settles his feelings of grief and anxiety this calms the situation down. “the waves kissed the shore”, this ensures the calming of the Tempest.
Ariel sings another song that describes a wonderful transformation after death. This song is mainly addressed to Ferdinand because it is to do with the loss of his father; his father hasn’t died, but he believes that his father (Alonzo) has been magically transformed into something else. This song is to seashore Ferdinand after the tragic crash, “a sea change”. The music is a vital part of the play because it creates the atmosphere; it deepens the meaning in depth and raises the mood to be predominantly calm.
At the end of Act 1 there is a typical romance element meaning a pair of lovers. In this case Ferdinand who is the son of the king of Naples and Miranda Prospero’s daughter fall in love with each other and declare their love. The lovers are stereotypical for Shakespeare plays also in having conflict between the two lovers hence back to hiss play “Romeo and Juliet” there is always linkage with other plays. This however makes the play more interesting and makes the reader read on.
The first Act starts of with a problem, which causes confusion. The problem in this case that “who owns the land” the question is not physically brought up in the text but it is raised and is quite obvious to see and tell from reading the first act. We have a clear insight of the relationship between Antonio and Prospero. The Tempest is a metaphor for this problem, the rest of the play leads in putting the fragments back into place. Also starting the play with confusion is a sign of comedy applying that nothing very tense or serious has been brought up. A group of enemies that literally cannot stand each other are now trapped on an island, this play is testing the characters patience as well, as how well they react to this situation.
I feel as the play continues, there will be a much more mature approach to the situations. Once everyone gets involved with each other the atmosphere will be much more tense and as the term calls is “tragicomedy”, many questions have been raised who will rule the island?, how will the characters cope? Will love be taken greater then lost? Will the two brothers ever compromise with each other? I am sure the answers and issues will raised with continuous reading….
