Apparitions and the Supernatural in Shakespeares The Tempest

What immediately strikes the audience about The Tempest is the use of the supernatural in the form of apparitions like Ariel and the Harpy. These apparitions are under Prosperos authority and the result of his Art, which is the disciplined use of virtuous knowledge. By invoking a masque to celebrate the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda, Prospero effectively brings to full circle the theme of re-generation by obliterating the evil done and suffered by one generation through the love of the next. However, this is juxtaposed against the anti-masque elements of the attempted usurpations of Antonio and Caliban, which hold the play in a delicate balance between a tragic or comic resolution, holding the audience in great suspense.†¦show more content†¦This brave spirit, Ariel, is a minister of Order and Providence. By being omniscient, he not only allays the initial tempest through his music, but he also undermines the plots against human life -- Antonio and Sebastians attempt at Alonsos life and Calibans murder plot. On a lighter note, Ariel also acts as a source of great entertainment for the audience as he goes about his work for Prospero, especially when he proceeds to undermine Calibans murder plot with great relish and excitement as he leads the intoxicated conspirators through a filthy mantled pool, symbolic of their bestiality. The juxtaposition of a spirit of the elements with a creature of the earth in the form of Caliban brings out the bestiality of this deformed brute. The subjugation of both creatures is reminiscent of forced colonialism as they would very much rather be free. Caliban would rather be his own king while Ariel repeatedly asks for my (his) liberty. 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