Some heavenly music (which even now I do).
To work mine end upon their senses that.
This airy charm is for, I'll break my staff,.
Bury it certain fathoms in the earth,.
And deeper than did ever plummet sound.
I'll drown my book. (V.i.33-57).
The sound patterns and connotations of Shakespeare's language convey Prospero's temperament. Prospero begins by poetically describing the magical inspiration of fantastical creatures, ascends into a charging affirmation of his power to perform the impossible, and concludes in a gentle tone as he lays his magic powers to rest.
Prospero employs images of magic to confirm the potency and beauty of artistic power. In calling upon "elves" (33) and "demi-puppets" (36), or dwarves, - both existent only in the imagination ¬ he conveys art's capacity to transcend nature and humanity with airy wonder. Prospero refers to "moonshine" (37), suggesting the enchantment of the "demi-puppets'" activities, and connoting a sense of the unsubstantial or imaginary, which both he and Shakespeare enliven through art. "Elves," "demi-puppets," and "moonshine" illustrate the supernatural elements of Prospero's artistry and contribute a sense of playfulness and jollity to the serious, tragicomic drama. By recalling the influence of these supernatural powers, Prospero affirms his ability to create out of nothing, to perform the impossible using his artistic powers. Just as the "demi-puppets" craft "green sour ringlets," Prospero creates tempests, spells, and mini-dramas. Shakespeare's image of "hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves" relates the beauty of nature reflected in the supernatural creations. Prospero echoes this poetic beauty with cadences of sound that resonate with lulling musicality: "elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves, And ye that on the sands with printless foot puppets sour ringlets" (33-4, 36-7). The consonance gives the lines a flowing rhythm and incantatory tone that reinforce the mysticism of both the speech and the play.