The Tempest theme on illusion
The Tempest: Illusions
An illusion is an incorrect or distorted perception of a real situation. The Tempest, written by Shakespeare in 1600-1611, uses illusion in many different ways. I am going to juxtapose the play with the There are 4 different aspects to the play, which are Magic, Deception, Dreams, and the Theatre. I am going to study 3 different episodes in the play where Illusion is relevant, and I will consider the ways illusion is presented. Illusion is a prevalent theme throughout both the play and the film, where it is amplified by the use of special effects.
The first aspect that I am going to expand on is Magic. This is an aspect that creates illusions. The Tempest itself, was an illusion created by Prospero’s magic. I will be examining Act 1, where there are numerous episodes surrounding the aspect of magic. “Hell is empty and all the devils are here,” Ferdinand had screamed as he threw himself from the burning ship during the tempest. The ship burned but it didn’t get torn apart or wrecked. The ship was taken safely into the harbour and the crew was magically charmed to sleep. Prospero had even told Miranda that “not so much perdition as an hair/ Betid to any creature in the vessel/ Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink.” The use of iambic pentameter, as well as the use of enjambment, creates an eerie atmosphere of mystery, which goes hand in hand with the aspect of magic. After this episode had finished, Prospero says to Miranda, “Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions: / Thou art inclined to sleep; ‘tis a good dullness, / And give it way: I know thou canst choose.” At which point Miranda falls asleep. This was due to the powerful magic of Prospero, who cast a spell on Miranda to fall asleep. Moreover, when Ariel, Prospero’s spirit-servant, who had been issued the task of creating the Tempest by Prospero, was summoned by him, Ariel’s starting words were, “I come/ To answer thy best pleasure: be’t to fly, / to swim, to
An illusion is an incorrect or distorted perception of a real situation. The Tempest, written by Shakespeare in 1600-1611, uses illusion in many different ways. I am going to juxtapose the play with the There are 4 different aspects to the play, which are Magic, Deception, Dreams, and the Theatre. I am going to study 3 different episodes in the play where Illusion is relevant, and I will consider the ways illusion is presented. Illusion is a prevalent theme throughout both the play and the film, where it is amplified by the use of special effects.
The first aspect that I am going to expand on is Magic. This is an aspect that creates illusions. The Tempest itself, was an illusion created by Prospero’s magic. I will be examining Act 1, where there are numerous episodes surrounding the aspect of magic. “Hell is empty and all the devils are here,” Ferdinand had screamed as he threw himself from the burning ship during the tempest. The ship burned but it didn’t get torn apart or wrecked. The ship was taken safely into the harbour and the crew was magically charmed to sleep. Prospero had even told Miranda that “not so much perdition as an hair/ Betid to any creature in the vessel/ Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink.” The use of iambic pentameter, as well as the use of enjambment, creates an eerie atmosphere of mystery, which goes hand in hand with the aspect of magic. After this episode had finished, Prospero says to Miranda, “Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions: / Thou art inclined to sleep; ‘tis a good dullness, / And give it way: I know thou canst choose.” At which point Miranda falls asleep. This was due to the powerful magic of Prospero, who cast a spell on Miranda to fall asleep. Moreover, when Ariel, Prospero’s spirit-servant, who had been issued the task of creating the Tempest by Prospero, was summoned by him, Ariel’s starting words were, “I come/ To answer thy best pleasure: be’t to fly, / to swim, to