Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-2-magic

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# Magic

English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest, topic 9.1.2

## White Magic

Prospero's magic is presented as good and productive, unlike the black magic of Sycorax.

### Prospero's good magic

![Prospero's good magic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/15cfb548-0828-4e13-a17d-b7ed0f0bc4cc/Magic-Book-Open-Paper.jpg)

- Prospero is the hero. So the audience needs to like him. Shakespeare emphasises that Prospero uses white magic only, not black. 
- King James I hated magic - so Sycorax’s magic is presented as evil: __'for mischiefs manifold, and sorceries terrible.'__ 
- Prospero is different to the __'damned'__ and __'foul witch Sycorax'__.
- Prospero only uses white magic to bring about justice. Once this has been achieved, he gives it up.

### Heroic Prospero

![Heroic Prospero](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/10.4.2%20NPK%20fertilisers/wonder-woman-533663_640-min.jpg)

- Prospero is presented as heroic for ridding the island of __'her most unmitigable rage.'__
- In Act 5, Scene 1, Prospero renounces (formally abandons) his magical powers because he has regained his power in Milan. He no longer needs these supernatural powers.

### Punishments for using magic

![Punishments for using magic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/1.3.1%20Diffusion%20and%20active%20transport/water-2208931_640-min.jpg)

- Prospero states he will __'bury'__ and __'drown'__ the three items that symbolise his powers: his __'magic garment'__;  his __'book'__; and his __'staff'__.
- The verbs __'bury'__ and __'drown'__ are reminiscent of (recall) the punishments for practicing witchcraft after King James I became King of England (1590).

### Prospero and Sycorax - similarities

![Prospero and Sycorax - similarities](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cbc7d49-9259-46b0-931d-eb86358d75e1/Witch-Witchcraft-Cauldron.jpg)

- Shakespeare presents Prospero as a God-like figure instead of like the devil (like Sycorax). 
- But Miranda’s fears of the effects her father’s __'art'__ might have on those on the ship (Act 1, Scene 2) suggests some similarity between the protagonist and the evil Sycorax.

### Irony

![Irony](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/44bf5aaf-4c83-4b84-896d-9151633f6769/Irony-Sign-.jpg)

- It is important here to remember that we only hear about Sycorax through Prospero's words.
 - You could argue that this is ironic because Prospero uses his words in __'rage'__ (e.g the storm in Act 1, Scene 1 and the harpy in Act 3, Scene 3).

## Control of Magic

Prospero seems totally in control of his magic, including when he decides to stop using it.

### Magic for political power

![Magic for political power](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d6e52256-00f4-42e0-ae9e-750c9688a90d/shutterstock_662157991.jpg)

- You could argue that Prospero is controlled and driven by his desire for political power. Magic does not control him. 
 - But countering this, the way he summons and commands Ariel shows that he is full control of magic powers. 
- He is also able to give it up without much hesitation in Act 5, Scene 1. This shows that it was a temporary way to get political power back: __'But this rough magic / I here abjure.'__

### Magic causing Prospero's downfall

![Magic causing Prospero's downfall](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/9dc7ddf8-f5c9-46e9-ac5c-a0afe1a6f0a6/Magic-Magician-Alchamist.jpg)

- Prospero's need for knowledge of magic led to the loss of his Dukedom and kingdom.
- The illegal and unholy nature of Prospero's magic led to his banishment. Based on this, you could argue that this was a punishment from God. So the only way for him to return is to truly give up his powers.

### Magic connected to isolation

![Magic connected to isolation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Great%20Barrier%20Reef,%20Australia-min.jpeg)

- _The Tempest_ is set entirely on an unnamed island in the middle of the sea. The island is isolated from civilised society. 
- Magic thrives within this kind of isolated community. It is not until Prospero reaches it that his powers fully developed. 
- Sycorax was banished to the island for her involvement with magic and magical spirits, such as Ariel.

## Test yourself on Magic

- Why is Prospero presented as heroic?
- How is Prospero's magic presented?
- Where is the _The Tempest_ set?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/3fdd21aa-11f2-4661-a082-f45ce382ab88/section/f0d67977-5e6b-46a5-bd5b-a8d6089f5adc/session)

- Previous topic: [9.1.1 Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-1-power.md)
- Next topic: [9.1.3 Status, Race & Pronouns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-3-status-race-and-pronouns.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE The Tempest contents

### 1 Key Words
- 1.1 Key Words
  - [1.1.1 Key Words 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-1-key-words-1.md)
  - [1.1.2 Key Words 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-2-key-words-2.md)
  - [1.1.3 Key Words 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-3-key-words-3.md)
  - [1.1.4 Key Words 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/1-1-4-key-words-4.md)

### 2 Context  & Overview
- 2.1 Context & Overview
  - [2.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/2-1-1-overview.md)
  - [2.1.2 Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/2-1-2-context.md)

### 3 Act 1
- 3.1 Act 1 Analysis
  - [3.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-1-overview.md)
  - [3.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-2-scene-1.md)
  - [3.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/3-1-3-scene-2.md)

### 4 Act 2
- 4.1 Act 2 Analysis
  - [4.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-1-overview.md)
  - [4.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-2-scene-1.md)
  - [4.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/4-1-3-scene-2.md)

### 5 Act 3
- 5.1 Act 3 Analysis
  - [5.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-1-overview.md)
  - [5.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-2-scene-1.md)
  - [5.1.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-3-scene-2.md)
  - [5.1.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/5-1-4-scene-3.md)

### 6 Act 4
- 6.1 Act 4 Analysis
  - [6.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/6-1-1-overview.md)
  - [6.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/6-1-2-scene-1.md)

### 7 Act 5
- 7.1 Act 5 Analysis
  - [7.1.1 Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-1-overview.md)
  - [7.1.2 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-2-scene-1.md)
  - [7.1.3 The Epilogue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/7-1-3-the-epilogue.md)

### 8 Key Characters
- 8.1 Major Characters
  - [8.1.1 Prospero](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-1-prospero.md)
  - [8.1.2 Miranda](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-2-miranda.md)
  - [8.1.3 Caliban](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-3-caliban.md)
  - [8.1.4 Ariel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-4-ariel.md)
  - [8.1.5 Ferdinand](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-5-ferdinand.md)
  - [8.1.6 Alonso](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-1-6-alonso.md)
- 8.2 Minor Characters
  - [8.2.1 Antonio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-1-antonio.md)
  - [8.2.2 Stephano](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-2-stephano.md)
  - [8.2.3 Sebastian](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-3-sebastian.md)
  - [8.2.4 Gonzalo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-4-gonzalo.md)
  - [8.2.5 Trinculo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/8-2-5-trinculo.md)

### 9 Themes
- 9.1 Major Themes
  - [9.1.1 Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-1-power.md)
  - [9.1.2 Magic](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-2-magic.md)
  - [9.1.3 Status, Race & Pronouns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-3-status-race-and-pronouns.md)
  - [9.1.4 Comedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-4-comedy.md)
  - [9.1.5 Freedom & Servitude](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-5-freedom-and-servitude.md)
  - [9.1.6 Revenge & Reconciliation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/9-1-6-revenge-and-reconciliation.md)

### 10 Authorial Method
- 10.1 Authorial Method
  - [10.1.1 Genre & Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/10-1-1-genre-and-time.md)
  - [10.1.2 Music & Illusion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/10-1-2-music-and-illusion.md)

### 11 Recap: Main Quotes
- 11.1 Characters Quotes
  - [11.1.1 Prospero - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-1-prospero-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.2 Miranda - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-2-miranda-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.3 Caliban - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-3-caliban-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.4 Ariel - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-4-ariel-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.5 Ferdinand - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-5-ferdinand-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.6 Alonso - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-6-alonso-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.7 Antonio - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-7-antonio-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.8 Stephano - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-8-stephano-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.9 Sebastian - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-9-sebastian-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.10 Gonzalo - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-10-gonzalo-quotes.md)
  - [11.1.11 Trinculo - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-1-11-trinculo-quotes.md)
- 11.2 Text Structure - Quotes
  - [11.2.1 Power - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-1-power-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.2 Magic - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-2-magic-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.3 Race & Pronouns - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-3-race-and-pronouns-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.4 Comedy - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-4-comedy-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.5 Servitude - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-5-servitude-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.6 Reconciliation & Revenge - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-tempest/11-2-6-reconciliation-and-revenge-quotes.md)