Understanding Shakespeare: The Tempest by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

PLEASE NOTE: This is an HTML preview only and some elements such as links or page numbers may be incorrect.
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.

Act III, Scene 3: My High Charms Work

 

Prospero, unseen and unheard by Alonso and the other men, praises the performance by Ariel and the other spirits. Events are happening exactly as Prospero had planned: “my high charms work” (88). The satisfied magician then leaves the bewildered men and goes to check on how matters are progressing with Ferdinand and Miranda.

Gonzalo (the counselor) and the other two lords (Adrian and Francisco) approached the dazed king and ask him why he is so agitated. Apparently, they neither saw nor heard Ariel and the other spirits. Gonzalo and the other two would have been either at the back of the stage (or even possibly off-stage) at the time when Ariel was delivering his speech.

King Alonso briefly explains what Ariel had said, and the sorrowful and contrite king then decides to head toward the depths of the ocean and search for his drowned son.

Sebastian and Antonio are not so repentant, for they vow to fight all of the “legions” or troops of airy spirits one at a time (lines 102-03). However, as Gonzalo observes, they are desperate; and the guilt of their crimes troubles their consciences. Sebastian and Antonio have the mad valor or bravery that Ariel spoke of earlier (in line 59). And Gonzalo now worries that such madness or “ecstasy” (line 108) will cause them to commit rash or violent acts. The old counselor thus tells the younger men (Adrian and Francisco) to follow the others and prevent them from causing harm.