Illusion and Reality in Shakespeares The Tempest Essay...

Illusion and Reality in Shakespeares The Tempest This essay will discuss the part that illusion and reality plays in developing and illuminating the theme of Shakespeares The Tempest. This pair of opposites will be contrasted to show what they represent in the context of the play. Further, the characters associated with these terms, and how the association becomes meaningful in the play, will be discussed. A good starting point to discuss the use of illusion and reality in The Tempest is to focus on the setting in Act I, scene ii. Here, the reader (or viewer) realizes that it takes place entirely in Prosperos cell which is a small room where he practices his magic arts. Miranda here asks her father, Prospero, to make sure that†¦show more content†¦His power is not granted to him by mortals, but it has been given to him by those above human status. His power is symbolized by and vested in his cloak. It is something which can be physically removed. I should inform thee further. Lend thy hand And pluck my magic garment from me. So, [takes off his magic robe.] Lie there, my art (I, ii, 28-31). Within this, there are elements which may be associated with illusion and reality. Miranda knows that she is Prosperos daughter and she is used to life on the island. But she can also recall a time when she was not there in the world of magic - a time when her father was Duke and had only powers that natural men possess. The irony is that Miranda recalls the natural world as if it were an illusion and believes her present day existence to be reality. Pros. Canst thou remember A time before we canst unto this cell? I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not Out three years old. Mir. Certainly sir, I can... Tis far off, And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants. Had I not Four or five women once that tended me? We see from the passage above that Miranda is not sure whether her life before the island was a dream or whether it was reality. 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