The theme of magic is a very big aspect in the play ‘The Tempest’ it is used by Prospero on many different occasions. Prospero got his powers by studying magic; he was not naturally talented. In the play he says ‘And rapt in secret studies’ This is a theme in the play; magic. It makes me feel as if his powers are not that great; they do not make him unique as they would if he had them since birth. Almost as if there is something lacking in his powers; that magical touch is not there. Shakespeare is trying to set the scene for us; he is letting us decide what we make of this. He uses suspense to make us want to read on and see what these unnatural powers cause. Prospero uses magic to get Miranda and Ferdinand to meet and fall in love. When they meet Prospero says ‘It goes on I see as my soul prompts’ He is controlling them by playing with their feelings; making them do what he wants. This introduces the theme of power and control; both also theme’s in the play. This makes the reader empathise with the two, because they do not have any control over what they are doing/saying; they are mere puppets being used by Prospero. Another way in which Prospero uses magic is when he brings the banquet in front of hungry Alonso and Ganzalo. ( I do not have the quotes) This introduces the theme of revenge which is also a theme in the play. It makes me feel hatred towards Prospero because the two men are desperate for food and he is making them suffer. Shakespeare is trying to let us decide whether we think Prospero’s way of seeking revenge is correct or not. Whether the magic in the play is used for the correct reason or not is a debated issue and can be concluded in two ways; some say that the magic is used for revenge and justice therefore it is correct and some say that it is used to control people therefore it is wrong. However, both these views have complete back-up therefore are correct. Urusa Hussain x