FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   >>  
is there too, but they, like the former class, have no independent plot of their own, and no independent operation against mankind; they only represent the invisible forces over which Prospero must assert control if he would insure success for his schemes. Ariel is, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary of all Shakspere's creations. He is, indeed, formed upon a basis half fairy, half devil, because it was only through the current notions upon demonology that Shakspere could speak his ideas. But he certainly is not a fairy in the sense that Puck is a fairy; and he is very far indeed from bearing even a slight resemblance to the familiars whom the magicians of the time professed to call from the vasty deep. He is indeed but air, as Prospero says--the embodiment of an idea, the representative of those invisible forces which operate as factors in the shaping of events which, ignored, may prove resistant or fatal, but, properly controlled and guided, work for good.[1] Lastly, there are the heroes and heroine of the play, now no longer shadows, but the centres of interest and admiration, and assuming their due position and prominence. [Footnote 1: It is difficult to accept Mr. Ruskin's view of Ariel as "the spirit of generous and free-hearted service" (Mun. Pul. sec. 124); he is throughout the play the more-than-half-unwilling agent of Prospero.] 130. It is probable, therefore, that it is not merely a student's fancy that in Prospero's storm-girt, spirit-haunted island can be seen Shakspere's final and matured image of the mighty world. If this be so, how far more bright and hopeful it is than the verdict which Mr. Ruskin finds Shakspere to have returned. Man is no longer "a pipe for fortune's fingers to sound what stop she please." The evil elements still exist in the world, and are numerous and formidable; but man, by nobleness of life and word, by patience and self-mastery, can master them, bring them into subjection, and make them tend to eventual good. Caliban, the gross, sensual, earthly element--though somewhat raised--would run riot, and is therefore compelled to menial service. The brute force of Stephano and Trinculo is vanquished by mental superiority. Even the supermundane spirits, now no longer thirsting for the destruction of body and soul, are bound down to the work of carrying out the decrees of truth and justice. Man is no longer the plaything, but the master of his fate; and he, seeing now the possible
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   >>  



Top keywords:
Shakspere
 

longer

 

Prospero

 
master
 
forces
 
independent
 

spirit

 

Ruskin

 

invisible

 

service


probable
 
student
 

elements

 

fortune

 

fingers

 

returned

 

island

 

mighty

 

matured

 

haunted


hopeful
 

verdict

 

bright

 
supermundane
 

spirits

 
thirsting
 
destruction
 

superiority

 

mental

 

Stephano


Trinculo

 

vanquished

 
plaything
 
justice
 

decrees

 
carrying
 

menial

 

compelled

 

mastery

 

subjection


patience

 

formidable

 
numerous
 

nobleness

 
raised
 
element
 

earthly

 

eventual

 
Caliban
 

sensual