" Ariel is a mischievous sprit, but is rather that one character that holds the Tempest together" discuss the importance of the character Ariel in the play.
Sean Jones
English Coursework
The Tempest Essay
Ariel is an airy spirit in 'The Tempest'. Who Yearns for freedom and provides a somewhat atmospheric presence to the play. I am going to look at the way she adjusts her persona to different characters and the effect she has on those characters. Looking at the different areas of the play she is involved I will pick out certain things of significance and elaborate on them.
The Structure of the play is almost dependent on Ariel. It begins as one solid story, the disaster, and then it splits and disperses into three separate play genres; Love; comedy; and revenge. Ariel is the glue that holds these three together. She ties them together, making the story easier to follow. In the end she unites all characters to reveal one solid play. Think a diamond shape when thinking of the tempests' structure. Also the ending of the play would not be as effective. She gives the play closure, she is the one who, conveniently, resurrects the Tempest, and returns everything to normal. Also her Liberty at the end helps with that closure and provides a sense of relief for the audience.
Shakespeare has ignited such a character as a useful ingredient he can use in other plays.
If you take, for example, the character 'PUK' from 'a midsummer night's dream'; Puck is like Ariel in many ways, in that a fairy with similar characteristics. I believe him to be more 'Human Like'. He is mischievous, as she is, and causes chaos in this play. He had the same function as Ariel, in that he was responsible for holding together three story lines. These where; The Lovers Force, The Mechanical's Play; The bathing fairies Oberon and Titania.
Ariel's role in this play is extremely important. As well as holding the story lines of love, comedy and revenge together. She alone is, in effect, the fourth story line to The Tempest.
When introduced to the play we get the impression, before she even speaks, that she is controlled somewhat. This is how Prospero addresses her
'Approach my Ariel, Come!' (Act 1 scene 2 line 880)
Instructing, possessive and stern are three words to describe that sentence. From this I get the impression she is trapped.
In her opening lines we do not se a gracious free spirit that you would imagine, she seems to be over respectful.
'All hail, great master, grave sir, hail!' (Act 1 scene 2 line 189)
Is this genuine worship? Or is there a deeper reason for this sucking up. Does Prospero hold the key to something she wants? She addresses him as 'Master' so we know he has some authority over her. We find out it is her who is responsible for the tempest, Prospero asks her
' Hast thou spirit, performed to pint the ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
In her opening lines we do not se a gracious free spirit that you would imagine, she seems to be over respectful.
'All hail, great master, grave sir, hail!' (Act 1 scene 2 line 189)
Is this genuine worship? Or is there a deeper reason for this sucking up. Does Prospero hold the key to something she wants? She addresses him as 'Master' so we know he has some authority over her. We find out it is her who is responsible for the tempest, Prospero asks her
' Hast thou spirit, performed to pint the tempest that I bade thee' (act 1 scene 2 line 193-194)
'To every article ' she replies. (line 195)
Then she goes on to paint a picture of a very dramatic incident, in a somewhat childlike manner, with rapid movement, and breathless excitement, it seems she finds amusement in the fear of the frantic characters.
' I boarded the king's ship. Now on the beak, now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flamed amusement.' (1ii line 196-198)
This shows excitement. It was all an illusion caused by her, that is why she was amused. I think this gives the audience a taste of her mischievous side to come.
After reassuring Prospero that everyone is safe, she then asks about her ' Liberty', Prospero replies
'Before the time be out? No more' (1ii Line 246)
It is then that suddenly he mood changes, for a second Ariel becomes resentful towards Prospero, and Prospero converts to calling her disrespectful words such as 'malignant thing' and ' moody'.
Ariel is put back in her place.
'Prospero: Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
Ariel: No
Prospero: Thou dost!' (1ii Lines 250-253)
It is revealed that Prospero saved Ariel from the evil witch Sycorax, who mistreated her. The ' Thou Dost!' is the beginning of an angry rant that Prospero has.. Ariel resorts to answering in short sentences no more than a few words. Like a school child being told off.
He reminds her of Sycorax
'This damned witch Sycorax, for mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible to enter human hearing'. (1ii lines 263-265)
Talking about this tells the audience of Ariel's background, which gives a deeper understanding of the character. It is an unclear picture that we have of Ariel and Prospero feelings towards each other, In this part he shows little respect but it alters throughout. Ariel exits and later in the Scene returns
'Fine apparition, my quaint Ariel, Harken thine ear.'(1ii lines 316-317)
Prospero has now cooled off and talks to Ariel with the respect she deserves. He whispers into her ear a secret command. The to me symbolises a growing band of friendship between the two. And, as we don't know what Prospero whispered, we take more interest in Ariel, to find out what it is.
Ariel exits and returns later in the act (lines 375-404) with two songs. This a communication medium for her, and a powerful one, it is hypnotic, and draws Ferdinand to the island. Music seems to be a substitute for her visibility. The first song is celebrating the calming of the Tempest, the verse.
' Kissed, the waves whist' is an invitation to dance in the sands. Her second song is directly addressed to Ferdinand. Comforting him after his father's death. This particular line stands out
'A sea change/into something rich and strange'
She is reassuring the grieving son, and telling him not to think his father as dead, but undergone a wonderful transformation after death.
At the end of this act she reassures Prospero that the secret task has been done to 'th'sylable' and is promised freedom in return for these services.
Ariel now takes a back seat up until Act 3. Where her mischievous side which I hinted upon earlier is shone out in a comic way. . This scene evolves the 3 drunks Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban. She causes particular misfortune for Trinculo. W ho is beaten due to her snide way of following everything Caliban says, by something along the lines of 'Thou Liest'
' Caliban: as I told thee before I am a tyrant, a sorcerer, that that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.
Ariel: Thou liest'
This is just the beginning. Caliban curses Trinculo. Then later on she pulls the same trick when Stephano speaks
' Stephano: Didst thou not say he lied'
Ariel: Thou liest
Stephano: Do I so?
[Strikes Trinculo]
Ariel seems to be doing the tasks Prospero sets, but at the same time, amusing herself, and the audience.
Shakespeare is giving a human-like quality to such a character, which has no distinguished sex. Ariel Listens intently to receive all information, then exits.
She then comes back Act 3 Scene 3, where she is angry and probably crates the most powerful and striking presence in the play. She vanishes their banquet and addresses them as
'Three men of sin'
The characters now there plan has foiled, making tem more weak, which gives her a greater position to manipulate them, which she does greatly.
Altering the way in which she talks to Prospero dramatically, she frightens them with powerful and threatening words.
The characters then take out there swords. She replies
' You fools! I and my fellows are ministers of fate. The elements of whom your swords are tampered, may as well wound the loud winds.'
They now that they cannot kill her so they have no choice but to give in. She then goes on o talk about the wrongful things they have done, but at the end shows mercy when she says
' Upon your heads- is nothing but hearts sorrow and a clear life ensuing.'
Only sorrowful repentance and virtuous living can save them.
She has now shown how powerful and assertive she can actually be. Without overshadowing her ability for forgiveness.
Language in this play is used in various ways. In Ariel's opening speech Shakespeare uses submissive, deferential language, to make her look (purposely misleadingly) insignificant.
"All hail great master! Grave sir, hail! I come to answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire, to ride on the curled clouds. To thy strong bidding task Ariel, and all his quality."
This will make the audience more surprised when they see how powerful she really is, which will, in effect, make her more of an intriguing character.
The Hyphen (-) is of significance in the language of Shakespeare to. It is used more as a tool to conjure up vividly powerful images such as 'Sight-outrunning' ' hag-born' and 'Brine-Pits'. These are compound words and strengthen speech. Act 1 scene line 2002 Ariel uses the word -'Thunder-claps' to give a more impressive effect on her master; Who she is whole-heartedly trying to please.
I like the way on Act 23 scene 3 an alter ego to Ariel is being portrayed. Here her language is somewhat punishing and serious. Words such as 'Destiny' ' kill' and 'supplant' give this effect.
It is here also that Shakespeare uses Iambic Pentameter. This to deliver dominance to the speech. But also used as a division between the upper class side of the audience, and the lower. This will give he upper-class more of the reason to stay and watch the play and mix with yobs, as it gives them something to reach out to, a sort of 'ha ha I know what that means and you don't' sort of thing.
When casting a spell Ariel speaks I rhyme to divide the magical element from her usual speech. This gives the pay that magical effect, and creates a beat, which subconsciously will lift the audience.
Repetition of the words 'Hark' and ' Bow- wow' make them stand out. And the echoing of these words creates an atmospheric feeling.
Ariel is overall I this play, a character who signifies Freedom. Although this is restricted throughout the play, it causes hostility that is always there, up and down throughout. This hostile element makes for a better ending. I that Ariel's Liberty, gives the audience a sigh of relief, and leaves them with a warm feeling inside.
Without her paranormal presence and rhyming ways the play would be flat and uninteresting.
Without a character like Ariel I such a play. Who cements and provides a pillar for all three story lines. The walls that build the play would crumble, crash down, and crush the sustained interest of the audience.
Shakespeare has proved himself once again to be a genius in play writing; like we never knew that already. It is very rare that a writer can conjure up such a play that appeals to such a wide variety of people. There is something for everyone.
