Student Question

What spell did Ariel cast on Gonzalo and Alonzo in The Tempest?

Quick answer:

Ariel casts a spell on Gonzalo and Alonso in Act II, Scene 1, using magical songs and music to first put them to sleep and then wake them up. This is orchestrated by Prospero to allow Antonio and Sebastian to plot against the king, thereby revealing their true nature. Prospero's goal is to make Gonzalo and Alonso more inclined to restore his city to him when they later encounter him.

Expert Answers

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I think that you are talking about what happens in Act II, Scene 1.  In that scene, Ariel uses magic first to put Gonzalo and Alonso to sleep and then to wake them back up.  In both cases he does it with magical songs and music.

Ariel puts them to sleep because Prospero wants the others (Antonio and Sebastian) to start plotting to kill the king.  He then wakes them up so that Gonzalo and Alonso will see what horrible people the others are.

When they realize this, they will be more ready to give Prospero his city back when they see him later on.

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