Question : Essay-type
Comment on Shakespeare’s use of the supernatural element in ‘The Tempest’.
Introduction
Shakespeare’s play ‘The Tempest’ is a romance, hence all its incidents are beyond the common experience of our everyday life. It is full of supernatural elements. It has a lyrical set up while the characters and actions stir up the imagination. The place is an enchanted island, the great magician, the unique master of the air Ariel, weak Miranda and the cruel Caliban are all creations of the great genius Shakespeare. The entire scene is born out of the poet’s mind which carries us away with the dramatist to the lovely island.
Supernatural Elements In Other Plays
Shakespeare has made use of the supernatural element in a number of plays too. He introduces the supernatural element in his other plays so subtly. He has used supernatural elements in his many plays such as ‘A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Hamlet’, etc. As an example, in ‘Hamlet’ the supernatural element appears in the form of ghost of Hamlet’s father.
Difference In Using Supernatural Elements
There is a striking difference between the use of supernatural elements in ‘The Tempest’ and in the other plays. In other plays the supernatural powers act on their own and independently. They are not subject to any potent human will, may be they sometimes middle in human affairs influence human destiny. In ‘The Tempest’ on the other hand, the supernatural powers are under the control of human will. As an example, the ghost of Hamlet’s father represents the supernatural element in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ which is out of control of human will.
Supernatural Elements In The Tempest
In ‘The Tempest’ Ariel and the spirits are the agents of the supernatural. The whole atmosphere of the island is enchanted. The supernatural parvades the entire play. Prospero acts as the wizhood with his magic-wand. Ariel is always at his command to carry out his orders. There is round about Prospero himself something like the supernatural.
In Shakespeare’s time many superstitions and supernatural beliefs were prevailed. Belief in magic was very widespread. In this play, Prospero commands eleven demons and goblins through the medium of Ariel, and he used his powers for beneficial purposes. Prospero employs all four classes of spirits– spirits of fire, water, earth and air, but always either directly or indirectly through the medium of Ariel. The supernatural beings in this play represent not the principle of evil, but the principle of good.
Conclusion
So we find that the play ‘The Tempest’ is full of supernatural elements. In this play Shakespeare has employed the supernatural most successfully. He has purified and refined it, and made it credible and convincing.
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