Music

Music is magic. In my life this is true. In "The Tempest", by William Shakespeare, this is also true. It is true in everything it touches, the air, the trees, the mountains, the sea, the people, the animals, everything.

In "The Tempest", Caliban is put into a trance by music. Caliban explains music as "sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not." He tells this to Stephano and Trinculo when they are frightened by the misterious music coming from nowhere. Caliban loves the music, even though he does not know where it comes from. Caliban says music puts him into a trance, saying music "will make [Caliban] sleep again." Music to Caliban is like a sleeping potion. It takes him away from his pain in the beauty of sleep. In his trance, Caliban thought "the clouds would open and show riches." Music is so sweet, so pure, that even if he has no money, it makes him rich. Caliban is mystified by music, he is hypnotized. Caliban is amazed by the sounds carried by the air.

In my life, music, depending on what kind of music it is, effects me in different ways. If the music is about happy things, it will get me motivated. If I have a lot of homework, and I'm feeling too tired to do all of it, listening to happy music passes the time, and keeps me awake. Time seems to fly by, and it puts me into a trance, making me think I'm doing my work much more quikly than I actually am. If the music is quiet and slow, it helps me fall asleep. If I have just had a drink with caffiene in it, listening to slow, quiet music helps me calm down. If I'm just having trouble falling asleep, music helps me sleep. If I listen to Rock music, I get energized. If I just woke up, and have to play sports, listening to Rock wakes me up and gets me focused. If I'm sick, and don't feel like getting up and doing anything, Rock gives me the energy to do so. Music helps me get through life without exploding.

Different types of music have different effects, helping me do different things. Listening to Rock, slow and quiet, and happy music help me along through my life. I think the tempo of music would affect Caliban the same way it affects me. In Shakespeare's time, there weren't as many types of music, but I think that Caliban would agree with me when I say,"music rocks."