What is the significance of the masque in ‘The Tempest’?

In the Elizabethan age, a masque was an elaborate theatrical pageantry that consisted
of dancing, singing, declamation, dialogue, costumes, decoration and scenery,
connected with a royal wedding. In ‘The Tempest’, Prospero conjures a masque to
celebrate the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda. The characters and plots were based
on Greek and Roman mythology. It is usually an allegorical representation of gods and
goddesses. The mythological characters like Ceres, Juno and Iris symbolize fertility,
harvest, prosperity and eternal love. There is a reference to the Greek god Mars, Venus
the goddess of love, her son Cupid the blind god of love, Jupiter, Pluto the god of the
underworld, and The story of Proserpina who was abducted to the underworld.

By blessing the young couple, Prospero hopes to bring about abundance within the
family as well as in nature. Juno showers “honor, riches, marriage blessing” and “Long
continuance” on the couple. On the other hand, Ceres the goddess of agriculture gifts
them with “Earth’s increase and foison plenty”. The masque also honors the institute of
marriage. Marriage brings about order and structure. Prospero highlights the sanctity
and sacred concept of marriage when he reprimands Ferdinand. Marriage is a sacred
contract and the culmination of romantic love which asserts social order and legitimate
obligation to each other. Finally the masque reveals Prospero’s own power as a magician
as he says “I must bestow upon the eyes of this young couple some vanity of mine art”.
The masque, with its spectacular visual effects, amplifies the supernatural elements of
the play.