In William Shakespeares The Tempest, the line between the...

In William Shakespeares The Tempest, the line between the realm of reality and illusion is blurred by Prospero, who through the use of his magic is able to manipulate and control both the island and those who are stranded on it. The duality between illusion and reality, the contrast between the natural and unnatural are being represented and questioned by Prosperos magic. Throughout the play, Shakespeare is stating that illusions can distort reality, but in the end reality will always makes itself apparent. Prospero orchestrates the events of the play with ease, his magic giving him the power to manipulate the characters and environment around him. This almost omniscient power that is presented pushes the audience to question what is†¦show more content†¦From the moment they arrive on the island to the time of their release and pardon, they are almost continually guided, prompted, and motivated by visions that Ariel, acting for Prospero, weaves before them and by the spells he casts upon them. Prosperos motivation behind all this manipulating is to provide the group of nobles, mainly Alonso and Antonio, to become of aware of their wrongdoings, repent for stripping away his dukedom and casting him out to isolation. The first illusion that Prospero casts is planting the idea that Ferdinand has drowned during the shipwreck firmly within the mind of his father Alonso. It doesnt take much for Alonso to be thoroughly convinced that his son is head, batting away any words that offer any hope. No, no, hes gone At this point in the play, Alonso has not associated the drowning and loss of his son with Prospero. He believes that this is the result of marrying off his daughter Claribel to an African prince. Losing both his children and heirs to the throne, he feels as though he cannot go on O thou mine heir/Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish/Hath made his meal on thee? Antonio and Sebastian fall victim to Prosperos illusions as well. Ariel enters the scene and uses his music to put the entire group of nobles to sleep, with the exception of Antonio and