Setting, symbolism and magic

What we lose as a modern day audience

• Jacobean audience wouldn't have expected things and attitudes we take for granted
• Different ideas of self the relationship between countries and their colonies and what constitutes a good government
• Jacobeans would not have taken the negative view of Prospero
• Jacobeans would have recognised things

The Island

• The heath where Lear is put
• The heath where Henry VI wanders and finds understanding
• The wood from a midsummer nights dream where everyone loses and finds themselves
• The wood in as you like it
• The wood of medieval romance and self discovery
• Anything can happen and you come out changed
• Gonzalo says "people didn't know each other and know they know themselves"

The names

• People would have known a bit of Latin
• Prospero - look for, hope for the future - optimistic
• Miranda - that which should be wondered at - miraculous, marvellous
• Ariel - connected with air
• Caliban - anagram of cannibal

Prospero's history

• A failed ruler who failed - like Lear - by concentrating too much on what he wanted rather than the good of the country
• Unlike Lear Prospero gets a second chance to learn what power is and what it costs

Magus

• Jacobean audience would have recognised Prosper as a Magus
• Not just magic
• The art of understanding this universe both spiritually and materially
• Achieves this power through study and prayer and holiness
• Can manipulate forces to help God
• Magus include - Elias Ashmole, Sir Issac Newton
• Goetia different as it is magic for the self
• Magus work not for themselves but for the greater good
• Jacobean audience would have been familiar with the discipline

Elements

• Caliban earth
• Ariel - air
• Ferdinand and Caliban both carrying logs - fire
• Surrounded by water