How does Shakespeare present supernatural in The Tempest?
Let’s see if we can predict the grade of an essay simply by counting some numbers.
Reading hundreds of essays marked by senior examiners has given me some surprising statistics. Students have to write more, and better to get a grade 7 and above on Macbeth than any other Shakespeare play.
Why?
My theory is that more teachers teach Macbeth. Because they know it better, they set higher standards.
That means that The Tempest must be very easy to get top grades on.
This is what you need on Romeo and Juliet. (The Romeo and Juliet essay writing guide is coming soon).
The average column (Ave) is the one to look at.
‘Methods’ means named methods - contrast, metaphor, juxtaposition, simile, setting - whatever - anything you say Shakespeare is doing or using.
‘Explanations’ is anything that follows implies, suggests, indicates, reveals, shows etc. Anything that tells us what you have worked out or inferred, rather telling us the quote or event.
AA commented on your post Do You Want My Feedback on an Essay?.
Dear Sir, Could you please give feedback on this essay on The Tempest. Thank you so much.
Using Act 5 scene 1 extract “Now my project”…. To “and they shall be themselves” and considering the wider play how does Shakespeare present supernatural in The Tempest. Aqa style question.
Shakespeare constructs Prospero as a multifaceted character who undergoes a transformation from a “Prince of Power”, to a victim of usurpation, to a master of the supernatural who uses magic to control the isle in a Machiavellian manner, whilst driven by his own inner tempest in his quest for vengeance, to finally a man who finds “virtue” and not “vengeance”. He relinquishes his supernatural powers because the power of love has provided him with his restoration, and not his omnipotent and controlling supernatural ability, redeeming himself and returning to a more humble Christian normality at the conclusion of the play.
Shakespeare uses the power of supernatural as a way to critique a selfish Machiavellian ruler and whilst Prospero undoubtedly controls the island, he is not happy or contented as he is driven by the need to regain his original position in life and wants vengeance. In a parallel to the play title, he certainly has his own inner tempest.
Through the use of supernatural we see that Prospero can elevate his power to above that of the king, in creating, via his control of Ariel, the Tempest of the opening scene. The boatswain cries “what care these roarers for thy name” to the King. In this moment it is the storm and, by extension Prospero, who holds the position of power. Through his command of the supernatural he is an omnipresent god and the King is in his control and Prospero is controlling nature.
This foreshadows the controlling power play of Prospero we see through the opening acts. As we know in Jacobean times magic and the supernatural were dangerous areas, witches were killed and the public was superstitious. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses natural elements of a storm to show the power of the supernatural, something that the audience could relate to, and less controversial than the magic alluded to used by Sycorax which is positioned as dark and relating to the devil. It is thought that King James was fascinated by magic and that as the patron of Shakespeare the theme may have been chosen to bring favour from the King.
As Prospero uses his supernatural ability to control all inhabitants on the isle, it is Caliban who he treats most badly, representing the relationship of coloniser and savage native. Prospero threatens and controls Caliban, demeaning him, calling him a “hag seed” “dog” “devil born” and various other derogatory terms. When Caliban does not obey, he threatens to use magic to “pinch” him and Caliban is scared of Prospero’s “art” and complains “I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island”. Shakespeare uses Prospero’s tyrannical rule through the supernatural as an allegorical comment on the nature of how not to rule. It is because Prospero treats Caliban so badly that Caliban plots to kill Prospero. Caliban realises that Prospero’s strength lies in his use of the supernatural and is clear that his knowledge comes from his books, therefore “first seized his books” is the priority for the murder plan, without them Prospero is “but a sot”.
In this extract we see Prospero is fully in control In “My charms crack not, my spirits obey,” and he has his victims in his total power. This is the point at which he could use his supernatural ability to crush them and achieve his revenge. Ariel reports the state of the King, “His tears runs down his beard like winter’s drops from eaves of reeds” as he is suffering, thinking his son has died and this is retribution for how he himself had treated Prospero. It is a clear sign of remorse and sadness. Further Ariel convinces Prospero that he would pity them, and “become tender” if he saw them as “your charms so strongly work ‘em”. This is a pivotal moment in the play when Prospero decides to have mercy on his victims and “set them free”, thereby having the opportunity to redeem himself.
Whilst he can restore himself to his original position, it is via the unifying effect of love through the marriage of Ferdinand and Miranda rather than through his supernatural power. He seems happy to relinquish his magic. The symbols of his magic, cloak, staff “ I’ll break” and book “I’ll drown” are destroyed as we reach the conclusion of the play.
Here, we can see that Prospero is seeking redemption, admitting that life is “fleeting” and “rounded with a sleep” and acknowledging his “old and troubled brain” we see that his god-like power was a mistake and he has learned that his obsessions, initially with his study of books and his library causing his usurpation, then with using his learned and studied supernatural abilities for revenge was actually the cause of his problems.
In conclusion, Shakespeare shows it is via love and forgiveness that happiness can be found, rather than using total control. The symbolic destruction of his supernatural symbols and renunciation of magic allow for a Christian redemption and in his epilogue we see him resorting to “prayer” and requesting forgiveness with Shakespeare choosing parallels to the Lord’s Prayer “as you from crimes would pardoned be”. All are restored to their rightful position in the great order of being and it is God who is the ultimate judge and in the position of utmost power.
Let’s Look at the Essay as Numbered Explanations
Shakespeare CONSRUCTS Prospero as a multifaceted character who undergoes a transformation from a “Prince of Power”, to a victim of usurpation,
to a master of the supernatural who uses magic to control the isle in a Machiavellian manner,
whilst driven by his own inner tempest in his quest for vengeance, to finally a man who finds “virtue” and not “vengeance”.
He relinquishes his supernatural powers because the power of love has provided him with his restoration,
and not his omnipotent and controlling supernatural ability,
redeeming himself and returning to a more humble Christian normality at the conclusion of the play.
Shakespeare uses the power of supernatural as a way to CRITIQUE a selfish Machiavellian ruler
and whilst Prospero undoubtedly controls the island, he is not happy or contented
as he is driven by the need to regain his original position in life and wants vengeance.
In a parallel to the play title, he certainly has his own inner tempest.
Through the use of the supernatural we see that Prospero can elevate his power to above that of the king, in creating, via his control of Ariel, the Tempest of the opening scene.
The boatswain cries “what care these roarers for thy name” to the King. In this moment it is the storm and, by extension Prospero, who holds the position of power.
Paid subscribers get a grade 9 language or literature answer every week except the holidays. With my commentary. Over 70 are already available.
Substack gives you FREE access to them for the first week, during which you can cancel.
In this post they also get the full essay marked, with feedback, from Tilf.io (you can get a 10% discount with my promo code SALLES10)
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Mr Salles Teaches English to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.