Memoria Artium Magicarum in The Tempest

Abstract

What happens if you question the presence of magic in one of Shakespeare's most magical plays? What happens if you doubt the power of one of Shakespeare's most powerful characters? These questions drive this exploratory paper which seeks to argue that Prospero, a once-powerful mage, no longer wields the magic he is credited with in The Tempest. Instead, it is his servant Ariel--for reasons to be investigated--who maintains the illusion of power on behalf of Prospero. This paper also develops an analogous relationship between an aging Queen Elizabeth and an aging Prospero. Each, as argued, may have a form of public relations camouflage in place toward the end of their respective lives, attempting to retain the aura of power and invincibility despite the decaying of such. Ultimately, the goal here is to suggest an alternative staging option for The Tempest, one that looks in the opposite direction than traditionalist approaches of the past and present.