The Tempest - William Shakespeare – Attitudes to Magic

A concise and professionally structured resource exploring how Shakespeare presents magic as theatrical art, learned power and morally unstable control.

This resource provides focused analysis of attitudes to magic in The Tempest, examining Prospero’s “art”, early modern beliefs about spirits and witchcraft, Ariel’s magical labour, Caliban’s experience of punishment, Sycorax’s absent presence, and Prospero’s final renunciation of magical authority.

Key features:

• Clear analysis of magic as spectacle, power, knowledge, theatre and control
• Focus on Prospero, Ariel, Caliban, Sycorax and the island’s atmosphere of illusion
• Exploration of early modern beliefs, learned magic, witchcraft, authority, freedom and renunciation
• Activities to reinforce and practise key concepts, including quotation analysis, context, critical perspectives and extended response planning
• Detailed answer key included for straightforward checking and review