The masque in Shakespeare's The Tempest comes to a sudden end because Prospero's attention abruptly wavers, causing the magical spectacle, which is directly tied to his will and focus, to vanish instantly.
The sudden conclusion of the masque is a direct consequence of Prospero's state of mind. As the reference states, the masque is driven by his will. This means the entire performance, featuring spirits as mythological figures like Ceres, Iris, and Juno, exists solely because Prospero is actively willing it into existence and controlling it with his magic.
The Role of Prospero's Will
- Direct Control: The masque is not an independent event; it is a manifestation of Prospero's magical power and concentration.
- Sudden Interruption: The reference highlights that once his attention wavers, it vanishes. This indicates a direct link between Prospero's focus and the masque's existence. His sudden distraction or change in mood immediately breaks the spell sustaining the illusion.
What Causes Prospero's Attention to Waive?
While not explicitly detailed in this specific reference text, in the play, Prospero suddenly remembers Caliban's conspiracy to murder him. This thought disrupts his serene mood and focus, leading to the abrupt termination of the masque.
The Masque as Illusion
The sudden vanishing serves a crucial thematic purpose. As noted in the reference, This scene reminds the audience that many of the things Prospero produces are nothing but illusions. The ephemeral nature of the masque, disappearing without a trace the moment Prospero is distracted, underscores that his power, at least in creating such spectacles, is based on control and illusion, not inherent physical reality.
Prospero's Reliance on Others
The reference also adds context by mentioning Prospero's reliance on Ariel: Prospero relies upon Ariel to complete many of the tasks in the play, suggesting that Prospero is not as strong as he pretends to be. While this doesn't cause the masque's end, it complements the idea presented by the vanishing illusion – that Prospero's power, while significant, has limitations and dependencies (on his will, on spirits like Ariel) which prevent him from being truly omnipotent or unfazed. The sudden break in his concentration and the subsequent collapse of the illusion reinforce the idea that his power requires active, perhaps strenuous, mental effort and is vulnerable to distraction.
In summary, the masque's abrupt end is a dramatic event caused by Prospero's attention wavering, demonstrating the illusory nature of his magical creations and his reliance on maintaining intense focus to sustain them.
