Sycorax's Diary
This project was created on occupied Chicora and Lenape territories.
Entry #1
On the last quarter moon
Dear Diary,
I’m hiding in an old rotting cell and I can hear the ocean waves of the Caribbean island in the far-off distance. Down the hallway, I hear voices and become quickly intrigued as to the contents of their conversation. As I approach, I hear an older man and a young adolescent girl. The girl seems quite distraught and panicked, while the father seems to have a brilliant arrogant quality in which his head is raised high and he smiles knowingly, as if superior to the majority. “Miranda, it will be ok darling. Their boat had every right to sink as they served us with such injustice.” The girl suddenly looks stunned and cries in agony. “Father, think of the fear they must have endured, how unbearable it would be.”
I stand behind the corner watching the scene, angered at the pure insensitivity of the white man as he’s unwilling to console his daughter. Upon finding out what he was responsible for, I was not surprised.
However, I am severely disappointed by the state of those in power sometimes. He feels as if the world is disposed of at his fingertips. He abuses the power that he enforces on those that surround him, whereas I used mine in a selfless and benevolent manner. Me, an indigenous woman everyone believes to be a witch is given very little regard. Truly, I know there is a power that’s so consuming buried deep within, yet I need growth and experience to draw my magical talents into the central focus. I continue to watch them talk about the shipwreck that the white man was responsible for and I shake my head filled with contempt and disappointment. I thwarted his murderous efforts by saving the men from the sinking ship. While they lay unconscious on the shore, I healed them with my magical hands. The cruel man wished for the deaths of the innocent and I was simply not obliging. I decided it would be best to stay on this part of the island for now and keep an eye on the situation. The powerful white man who I later learned was Prospero has someone with him every step of the way. Under my watch, he will not be responsible for anymore unjustified sin.
Sycorax
Entry #2
Waning Crescent moon
Dear Diary,
A new voice rings out through the hallway. I approach the noise, being sure to keep out of sight. The first voice I recognized from the conversation earlier, but the second voice I struggle to make out. I strain to hear bits of the conversation.
“Mumbling your native language again! I already told you I don’t like it”, the first man snaps. The conversation is lost as the pair start to lower their voices. The second speaks up. “Where would I be without you? I’d be a king! The king of the island given me by my mother, Sycorax.” My son. The realization sets in. I have found my child.
The first man speaks up again. “She’s a ghoul! A witch from whom-and may God be praised-death has delivered us.” All this talk of witchcraft is ignorant. This man tries to paint my powers as evil when he is the evil one. If not for me, the men in the shipwreck would have suffered a cruel fate at the hands of this white man. As long as I am on this island, no more innocent people will suffer. No more sin will be committed by this evil man.
I stepped into the light, my head held high. “Prospero, I am an abomination am I? Some sorceress filled with malice?” He turns in an instant and for a second fear flickers upon his face, once again his look grows smug. “Are you offended by my superiority witch?” I look at my son with recognition, our eyes meet and he knows too. Then I say to Prospero, “Ohh dear white man, I could never be offended or fearful, for I am more powerful than you will ever be. Now unleash my son.”
My tone is rather threatening in nature, Prospero tenses in anticipation. “My knowledge abounds and this is the most formidable power one can possess.” A small smile forms upon my lips as I say, “Knowledge is not the only necessity for attaining power, but I must keep it a secret as not to reveal myself. For in the end, you will be a slave to your own doubts and fears. I will stand mighty in the face of oppression.”
Sycorax
Entry #3
On the Waxing Crescent moon
Dear Diary,
Prospero threatened the life of my son if I refused his orders. He sees himself as a knowledgeable God, when he is nothing more than self righteous and condescending. Due to his utter distaste for Caliban, my son is now working laboriously in pouring rain when he should maintain a sense of freedom. Despite being apart from him most of my life, I will always defend him and save him from life’s cruelty. Memories still haunt me of when I was in captivity and my only dream was to escape enslavement and find my son. Our situations are now a mirror of each other as if we transcended time and became one person. Being a part of a different culture and a woman within a society in which it is looked down upon is most certainly a hardship, but it does not define me. I will rise above and I will ensure that my son is protected from the devil in disguise. He goes by Prospero.
My son is out working in the rain and using my powers, I am manifesting ease and comfort onto my son’s shoulders. I am attempting to make him feel as if he is not cursed by the universe. I sing a song and whisper in the distance, hoping he hears me, believing with my abilities that I give him strength through myself and manifestation. The rain ceases and before his eyes, he feels a sense of inner calmness and utmost determination. I smile as I begin to realize the powers that are being given to my son so that he is finally able to rise up against oppression and conquer that which he desires, freedom.
Sycorax
Entry #4
On the First Quarter moon
Dear Diary,
Today, Caliban suggested a new name.
“Cannibal would suit you...what about Hannibal.” I can’t help but scoff at the ignorance and disrespect Prospero exudes by suggesting such names for my son.
“Call me X. That would be best. Like a man without a name,” I heard Caliban reply. He shifted his feet, the power of his defiance weighing heavy on the room. I silently manifest confidence into Caliban as I watch him stand up straighter, staring down Prospero. His gaze never wavers. Prospero’s silence confirms Caliban’s request; his new name is X. With great pride, I watch my son leave, exuding new power from his request.
“Every time you summon me,” Caliban says as he passes Prospero, “it reminds me of a basic fact. The fact that you’ve stolen everything from me, even my identity!” Prospero glances upon my son and says, “You are not worthy of an identity.” Prospero might still feel very much in control, when in fact he has none. Karma has a peculiar way of repaying those that have tampered with it in any way.
Sycorax
Entry #5
On the Waxing Gibbous moon
Dear Diary,
Rebellion is near. My son Caliban is planning a revolt. I listen in on Prospero’s conversation with Ariel, silently vowing to protect my son from any dangers Prospero doles out. No longer will we be held hostage by the hands of this evil savage. The end of his reign is near. I listen to Prospero list the endless punishments he intends to manifest and they include snakes, scorpions, venom and intensity oozing from his sense of revenge.
His real insecurity lies in being able to confront himself. He sees Caliban as a threat to his well being, but fails to realize that the root of the issue lies within his self worth. His knowledge and control over other people is the only sort of power he contains and it is not of the permanent kind. My sense of power lies in my fierce determination, loyalty, sacrifice, and ultimate compassionate understanding towards life in general and my son, Caliban. As long as I am on this island, not a single drop of venom or a prick from a needle shall pierce the skin of my dear Caliban.
The next morning, my son sets out in search of Prospero. I manifest a gleam of sunrise upon my slumbering Caliban, to give him hope and strength on his journey. I see him awaken and gently nudge the others with him. Prospero will unleash the beasts, as he should. After all, the universe is cyclical and whatever he gives will be received tenfold.
Sycorax
Entry #6
On the Full Moon
Dear Diary,
My path happened to allow me to collide with the men that were present at the sight of the shipwreck. Standing behind a concealed covering, I watched as an invisible Prospero appeared upon the men at the dinner table. Suddenly, his servant Ariel makes a boisterous appearance in which it is claimed that Prospero was essentially cast away from his homeland of Milan. Ariel made the men feel guilty upon their secret plans, Prospero smiled as he now realizes that the men of the shipwreck are at his mercy.
At least this is what I will allow him to believe for now. Upon the invisible Prospero’s departure, I step from behind the shadows and confront the spirit figure of Ariel that still remains, singing a song. Ariel stops immediately upon seeing me, as the figure realizes who I am and the powers I possess. With the wave of my hands, rope begins to bind Ariel’s hands. The captivity will be temporary for this poor soul, but Prospero lacks power without the spirit. Ariel has a blind loyalty and essentially does all of his bidding. “I will help you,” I say. “I just need you to trust me and be patient. Your wish will be fulfilled.” Ariel looks confused, but simply nods. I am one step closer to stripping Prospero of his unjust power once and for all.
Sycorax
Entry #7
On the Waning Gibbous moon
Dear Diary,
Today is the day when my son plans his revolt against Prospero. It's early in the morning and the sun begins to rise.The sun rising signifies the hope for a better future tomorrow, free from the control that the people on the island are all being subjected to.
Prospero begins to try to summon Ariel, but the spirit does not come. With each summoning, his voice raises and his face begins to become red. His frustration is quite apparent, but a new emotional expression appears and it's that of confusion. Prospero is rarely confused as he claims to have all the knowledge in the world at his fingertips.
When Ariel does not come upon his request, Prosero begins to pace. He has no indication of what’s coming. He has no way of seeing the plans of others, his manipulation limited to a standstill. Prospero looks out upon the ocean, for the first time stunned into silence. Suddenly, Caliban appears out of the shadows, a menacing look etched upon his features.
Before he can attack, Prospero says in a quiet tone, “Stop Caliban.” My son smirks, “Why should I listen to you? I don’t take orders from this day forth.” Prospero nods, ever so slightly and says in the calmest tone he can manage, “...I concede Caliban, you grew a power I never knew you had.” Caliban stares in utter shock at the defeat within Prospero’s stance. Both men stand in opposition, the sun now has risen, making the world brighter.
Sycorax
Entry #8
One the Last Quarter moon
Dear Diary,
I am Sycorax, unknown by many, but well known now for the people of the island. My son Caliban gave me the credit for his courage to stand in opposition with the mighty Prospero. Not only that, but now all the islanders that were being manipulated by Prospero’s power or enslaved by his pure ruthlessness are now free.
To this day he continues to apologize for his actions and how he treated others, but not a single soul believes the words that escape his lips. Now these people look to me, as a source of inspiration. I use my magic to water the plants of the island and make it an even more beautiful and bountiful place.
From the beginning of my life, I have never been a stranger to oppression. Now I look around and realize that sometimes hardships are needed to acquire true and just power. There is a power within oneself of simply knowing one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Prospero never learned this vital lesson, ultimately leading to his demise. Now I stand, dignified and all knowing. The secrets of the universe are whispered to me at night, my innate power growing stronger with each passing day.
Sycorax
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Summaries of Diary Entries
Diary Entry #1:
By the inclusion of Sycorax in this scene she is first introduced and her magical abilities are being shown as well as discovering that she was responsible for saving the men from Prospero’s original intent to kill them. It also seems to introduce a potential conflict that will come to exist between the powerful white man and the indignous woman, Sycorax of whom he fears due to his inability to understand or control her ways. It allows the reader to actually view within the perspective of Sycorax and the hatred of the man who is keeping her son enslaved. Ultimately, it helps enforce the pivotal role that she will play throughout the course of the story.
Diary Entry #2:
Within both Cesaire’s, A Tempest and William Shakespeares, The Tempest, Sycorax plays the role of an ambiguous witch who is not granted a proper voice. However, in this entry she introduces dialogue and instead of being seen as a passive character like in past renditions of the story, she is more assertive towards Prospero. Here mere presence seems to introduce some fear into his characterization that was not present before. He is used to manipulating and always being in control, but now he feels threatened from the magical being that stands before him. More than even her power, Sycorax wishes for freedom for her enslaved son, Caliban. One of her main focuses is Prospero losing his sense of boosted dignity and reuniting with her son, free from his reign.
Diary Entry #3:
The main purpose of Sycorax in this scene is to introduce not only her empowerment, but also how some of her abilities are passed onto her son Caliban to overcome any hardship. She is an omnipresent factor that is manipulating the story in a strong way in order to effect the overall outcome. Caliban suddenly feels a sense of determination to be free from the person who controls him and Prospero now has a strengthened opposing force that he at first unaware of. The way Sycorax affects her son allows him to confront Prospero and begin to strategize how he will escape and begin to control his own sense of destiny.
Diary Entry #4:
In this diary post, Sycorax is an omnipresent factor that supports Caliban while he stands up to Prospero. While the focus is more on Caliban, the point of the post is to show how Caliban ultimately stands up to Prospero to reclaim himself and shed the name that Prospero had given him. By choosing the name X, it shows that Caliban chooses to not be owned by Prospero any longer. This further elaborates gaining a sense of independence and becoming defiant to the wishes of Prospero. The refusal to follow his orders will result in fear for Prospero, as he wishes to maintain his control over both Caliban and his mother.
Diary Entry #5:
Prospero is currently devising a plan that will be retaliation against Caliban’s sudden resistance as well as the power that Sycorax is offering the character. However, Caliban alongside his mother are willing to fight for freedom. This diary entry also goes to expand to the potential fears and insecurities that Prospero could contain within his characterization. This allows Sycorax to ultimately shine throughout, beginning to realize her own power and why at the end of the day it will always remain a vital part of her.
Diary Entry #6:
Within the revision of this scene Sycorax observes as the men of the shipwreck are gathered around the dinner table and she watches as Prospero and Ariel, his spirit appears. Ariel warns them of how sorrowful they will soon feel for their actions and plans. Prospero watches on in delight, as he is the puppet master that is controlling everything around him to serve in his favor. While Prospero leaves, Sycorax steps out of the shadows and faces Ariel. With her magic powers, Sycorax captures Ariel in order to limit one of Prospero’s main sources of knowledge and power. However, Sycorax promises to free the spirit, as she feels a level of empathy that Ariel is trapped much like her and her son. She has a knowledge that the dynamic will soon shift.
Diary Entry #7:
Within this entry, Sycorax tells the audience that today is the day that Caliban plans to enact revenge. Unaware of what is currently happening, a confused Prospero wishes to summon his servant Ariel. When Ariel does not come upon his request, a fear that is foreign to Prospero begins to emerge. He walks down to the beach and upon him approaches Caliban. Caliban has strength manifested upon him by his mother Sycorax and his power is now overwhelming for Prospero. Before Caliban can stage any attempt at an attack, Prospero surrenders. He now stands defeated as the character begins to realize how powerless he really was the entire time.
Diary Entry #8:
Within this final entry, Sycorax provides a sense of conclusion to how Prospero no longer reigns control and the people of the island are no longer being manipulated. It also shows that despite the apologies he offers, he will never be trusted or looked to again. She adds that with the use of her magic she made the island a beautiful home in which the people can live and prosper. However, she divulges that her true power is not within her magical abilities, but within herself. She realizes she has grown from all of the things she has experienced and now has become more powerful than she ever dreamed of being.