In class, we discussed whether or not Prospero has magical powers, and if those powers are strong or weak. I think, on some level, Prospero has magical powers (obviously), but I also think they are stronger than Shakespeare makes them seem.
Ariel clearly has magical powers: he creates the storm that causes everyone to come to the island, he can wake people up when Prospero puts them to sleep, and he can turn into Harpy and give a stunning speech to some fellas who stare at him dumbfounded.
Prospero clearly has magical powers: he freed Ariel from the tree, he can make people fall asleep, and he can freeze people in any position they are in.
But whose magical powers are more considerable?
I think since Ariel is so afraid of Prospero, and so unwilling to free himself from Prospero, his powers are not as strong as those of his master. If Ariel had stronger powers than Prospero, I feel like he would use them to leave Prospero. Instead, Prospero uses his power over Ariel to enslave him and makes him do pretty much all of his dirty work. Ariel is so afraid of him that he does not even attempt to free himself.
Perhaps as the play goes on, Prospero's powers will become more explicit and we can learn if he is indeed as powerful as he views himself to be.
I do believe that Prospero is more powerful than Ariel. But I think Prospero only seems more powerful because he shows confidence, something Ariel is obviously lacking. If Ariel had a higher self-esteem and was confident, I believe Ariel could give Prospero a run for his money.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Prospero is necessarily more powerful than Prospero, but that the nature of their magic is different. Ariel is a spirit, so his magic is connected with nature. It's a little wilder, but it has a greater impact, and maybe a little harder to control. Prospero's magic comes from books, so it is more structured and precise. He has to know the exact spell in order to accomplish a feat, which is how he was able to free Ariel from the tree and to have control over him. Prospero is resourceful in his usage of Ariel, calling upon him to do things Prospero is unable to do himself. I think Ariel's magic doesn't allow him to break free of Prospero's control, because his magic simply doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very interesting way of looking at the differences between their magics. I had always assumed that it was all one type of magic but this make more sense.
DeleteI don't think that Prospero is really more powerful than Ariel. I saw that Prospero's power was actually coming from Ariel because it's always Ariel following Prospero's orders and doing his dirty work. Prospero knows how magic works and probably has a little power to conjure things, but I think it's Ariel that really enhances and strengthens Prospero's powers. It's more of two powers joining together to create a more powerful magic.
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