Describe the role of supernatural elements in the story the tempest
Answers
Explanation:
Supernaturalism is a phenomenon which cannot be explained with the help of science. The belief in the supernatural has been universal in all ages. During the Elizabethan Period (1558 1603), the people irrespective of literate and illiterate kept faith in the supernatural elements. In The Tempest, Shakespeare introduces supernatural elements and incidents to thrill his audience. Here the supernatural acts as a powerful divine force.
The order of the spirits represented in The Tempest exactly follows this hierarchy. Ariel is the spirit of the air and after his task is done in the play Prospero bids him 'to the elements be free'.
Prospero is the master magician. He has command over this spirit world. He is no vulgar necromancer, who performs tricks like Dr. Faustus. He is a magician, a man with a giant's power which he uses like a god. With his spirits he raises storms allays them, apparently wrecks the ship and saves it, exposes and defeats the criminals, drives the sinners home to contribution and lastly, brings about reconciliation and re-union. He is a sort of man-providence controlling and dominating the spirits.
In the play, the supernatural has the dramatic purpose. For example, Ferdinand and Miranda do not fall in love with each other under the influence of Prospero's magic. Prospero's magic only brings them together. Their falling in love is spontaneous Likewise, it is not Prospero's magic, but inherent wickedness of Antonio and Sebastian, which makes these two men conspire against Alonso's life.
In respect of the delineation as stated above, we come across that The Tempest is a line comedy in which supernatural clements are its ornaments. Shakespeare has employed them a new dimension to the play. He is quite successful in handling the supernatural elements in this romantic comedy.