The tempest

How did Prospero and Miranda end up on the island years before the present action of the play? Prospero was exiled from Italy by his brother, the Duke of Milan because “(Prospero’s) state grew stranger, being transported and rapt in secret studies” (517. 76-77). This was “twelve years since” (516. 53). It is implied that Prospero’s power power was growing, “being once perfected at how to grant suits, how to deny them, who t’ advance” (517. 80-83).
What does Prospero do to bring the mariners to the island? To bring the mariners to the island, Prospero sends his servant Ariel to use a storm to shipwreck the mariners. This can be understood when Prospero says to Ariel, “Hast thou, spirit, preformed to point, the tempest that I bade thee?” (520. 193-194) and Ariel replies, “To every article…”(520. 195). This means that using the magic of his lackee, Prospero brought the mariners to the island.
What happens when Miranda and Ferdinand meet each other for the first time? When Miranda and Ferdinand meet for the first time, they experience love at first sight, MIranda saying when she first sees Ferdinand, “A thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.” However, Miranda’s father disapproves and threatens to kill Ferdinand, saying, “I’ll manacle thy neck and feet together: sea water shalt thou drink…” (528. 460-461).
Who is Caliban? Caliban is the offspring of the witch Sycorax. Caliban is “the native inhabitant of the island, is often depicted as poorly or not fully formed…” (525. Picture). There is hostility between Caliban and Prospero and Miranda, as Caliban, “did seek to violate the honor of (Miranda)” (524. 347-348).
What do Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, and Antonio believe has happened to Ferdinand? It is clear that Alonso believes Ferdinand to be dead when Francisco says, “I not doubt [Ferdinand] came alive to land.” and Alonso replies, “No, no, he’s gone… So is the dear’st o’ th’ loss” (358. 117-119). Sebastian also believes the worst, saying to Alonso, “We have lost your son, I fear, forever” (539. 128-129). Antonio also says to Sebastian, “‘Tis as impossible that he’s undrowned” (541. 229).
In Scene I, Act II, why do most of the characters fall asleep? Most of the characters fall asleep because Ariel enchants them as he enters the scene, invisible, by, “playing solemn music” (540. 177-178). This is done so that Ariel can listen in on Antonio and Sebastian’s plan and report back to Prospero so that the plan may move forward. This is revealed in Ariel’s line: “My master… sends me forth (For else his project dies) to keep them living” (544. 289-291).
What do Sebastian and Antonio plot while the others are asleep? While the others are asleep, Sebastian and Antonio plot to kill the others in their group for political advancement, as Antonio claims that “if this were death That now hath seized them, why, they were no worse Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate As amply and unnecessarily… What a sleep were this For your advancement!” (542. 252-260).
Confirm your understanding of Act II by writing a summary. Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, Francisco, and Antonio have all washed up on the shore of Prospero’s island. As they recover from their shipwreck, the five men exchange digs, then decide amongst themselves as to whether Ferdinand is dead or not. They all think that Ferdinand is dead, but Alonso still has hope. Ariel, hidden by invisibility, enchants Alonso, Gonzalo, and Francisco to fall asleep, then listens in on the conversation between Antonio and Sebastian where they plan on killing their co-travellers. Ariel wakes up the three, and they decide to look for Ferdinand. Scene two opens with Caliban cursing out Prospero. Then in the most comedic scene thus far, everyone is drunk.
In “En el Jardín de los Espejos Quebrados . . .,” what is Caliban doing? In “En el Jardín de los Espejos Quebrados . . .,” Caliban is reflecting upon himself, and thinking about who he is and how he feels. He thinks about “[Prospero]’s daughter, her feather-soft hands, the way she’ll smile up at her dresser mirror…” (607. 6-8). This suggests that Caliban was in love with, or at least attracted to, Miranda. He also watches the creatures off the coast of the island.
In “En el Jardín de los Espejos Quebrados . . .,” of whom is Caliban thinking? Caliban thinks about “[Prospero]’s daughter, her feather-soft hands, the way she’ll smile up at her dresser mirror…” (607. 6-8). This suggests that Caliban was in love with, or at least attracted to, Miranda. He also thinks about himself, mainly his physical appearance. He thinks of his, “naked, swollen feet… his scarred face, this empty promise of healing” (607. 11-12).
Who is the speaker of “Caliban”? The speaker of “Caliban” is likely Caliban himself. The main detail that gives this away is that the title of the poem is Caliban, and that the speaker is grieving over his dead mother, which Caliban had done in The Tempest.
In “Caliban,” of whom is the speaker thinking? In “Caliban”, the speaker is thinking of his “mother’s willow music” (608. 3). The poem functions as a speech to Caliban’s mother, with Caliban saying, “Mother, your songs will die within me. Mother, I am shaped an evil thing. My tears run for the loss of song. My fists clench for you” (609. 12-15).
In “Caliban,” what did the speaker’s mother use to make music? The speaker’s mother used “dark willow music of wind and wave… water singing over the roots of ash, over stones” (608. 4-6). This hints that Caliban’s mother, the witch Sycorax, used magic in her music.
(a) How does Miranda react to the shipwreck? (b) What does her reaction show about her character? Miranda reacts to the shipwreck with total empathy, crying, “O, I have suffered With those I saw that suffer!… A brave vessel dashed all to pieces…” (515. 5-8). Though she does not know those involved in the shipwreck, she is heartbroken by the tragedy. Prospero also realizes this, saying to her, “Be collected… Tell you piteous heart There’s no harm done” (515. 13-15). (b) Her reaction shows that she has a nearly supernatural level of dramatism and empathy.
(a) Who causes the shipwreck and on whose behalf? (b) Why is this information revealed when Miranda is asleep? Ariel causes the shipwreck on Prospero’s behalf. This can be understood when Prospero says to Ariel, “Hast thou, spirit, preformed to point, the tempest that I bade thee?” (520. 193-194) and Ariel replies, “To every article…”(520. 195). This means that using the magic of his lackee, Prospero brought the mariners to the island. (b) This is revealed when MIranda was asleep because Prospero doesn’t want her to know that he has a dark side. He takes this precaution as she is already suspicious of him. In the beginning of scene ii, Miranda says to Prospero, “If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, you must allay them” (515. 1-2).
(a) Why does Prospero arrange for Ferdinand and Miranda to meet? (b) What does Prospero achieve as a result of their first encounter? Prospero arranges for Miranda and Ferdinand to meet in order to regain his former position of power; if Miranda falls for Ferdinand, prince of Naples, and they are wed then Prospero will be reinstated into his former glory as a man of power. (b) As a result of their first encounter, Miranda and Ferdinand fall in love, thus furthering Prospero’s plan to come back into power. As Ferdinand attempts to court Miranda, saying “O, if a virgin, And you affection not gone forth, I’ll make you Queen of Naples” (528. 446-447). This is exactly what Prospero wants.
Interpret: Why does Prospero decide to forgive the conspirators? Despite all that the conspiritors have done to Prospero, he decides to forgive them, as he is “struck to th’ quick” (588. 28). Prospero decides to follow his “nobler reason ‘gainst… fury…” since the “rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance” (588. 27-28). This shows that Prospero chose to free the conspirators out of pity and a wish to become a better person.
When the audience knows something that a character does not, the effect is called dramatic irony. Where in Act V does Alonso express a wish that is ironic in this way? What makes the wish ironic? Is Prospero justified in placing Alonso in the circumstances that evoke this wish? On page 591, Alonso says, “I wish Myself were mudded in that oozy bed Where my son lies” (591, 150-153).This is dramatic irony, as the audience is aware that Ferdinand is not sleeping in any bed at the moment, let alone a coffin, which is what Alonso is implying. The reader knows that Ferdinand is alive and well, which Alonso doesn’t know.No, Prospero is not justified in placing Alonso in the circumstances that evoke this wish. Not much is gained from this ambiguous word choice on Prospero’s part, aside from the surprise that Miranda and Ferdinand are alive, even if such a surprise is “A most high miracle!” (592. 177).
(a) What does Prospero do for Ariel and Caliban in the final scene?(b) Synthesize: How does Prospero’s final soliloquy, in the Epilogue, reflect these actions? In the final scene, Prospero says to Ariel, “thou shalt have freedom… I shall miss thee” (590. 95-96), and to Caliban, “Go to! Away!” (595. 297). Prospero grants both creatures their freedom.Prospero’s final soliloquy is a plea for forgiveness and mercy, and functions as a reflection upon Prospero’s setting Ariel and Caliban free. This is most shown when Prospero says, “Now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant; And my ending is despair…” (596. 13-15).
What is resolved in Act V for Prospero? The main resolution in Act 5 is Prospero’s restoration to dukedom, and his newly-found magical sobriety. Power is restored, nature is resolved, order is restored. This is a common theme in Shakespearean stories. Nature is resolved when Prospero tells Ariel, “Go, release them… My charms I’ll break, their senses I’ll restore, And they shall be themselves” (5.30-33). This also continues the theme of Vengeance vs Virtue, as in releasing Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio, he is forgiving them. Prospero even remarks on this, saying, “With my nobler reason ‘gainst my fury Do I take part. The rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance. They being penitent, The sole drift of my purpose doth extend…” (5. 26-29). This shows that Prospero is weighing his anger with his desire to forgive, and chooses forgiveness, which he knows is the just thing to do. Prospero also frees Ariel, and lets Caliban go.
What is resolved in Act V for Miranda? A resolution for Miranda is Alonso proclaiming that he is her father in law, now that Ferdinand has promised to wed her (5. 190-197). Miranda is also given the opportunity to go back to Italy with Ferdinand to adopt new power, as Prospero, “hope[s] to see the nuptial Of these our dear-beloved solemnizèd; And thence retire… to Milan” (5. 307-309).
What is resolved in Act V for Ferdinand? Is blessed to mary Miranda, as Prospero proclaims that he “hope[s] to see the nuptial Of these our dear-beloved solemnizèd; And thence retire… to Milan” (5. 307-309). Ferdinand’s story arc is also resolved when he and Alonso are reunited, as “all the blessings Of a glad father compass [them] about” (5. 179-180).
What is resolved in Act V for Alonso? Alonso’s story arc is also resolved when he and Ferdinand are reunited, as “all the blessings Of a glad father compass [them] about” (5. 179-180). Alonso “resign[s from dukedom] and do entreat [Prospero] pardon me my wrongs” (5. 118-119) and returns to Naples. Alonso and his companions are released from Prospero, with “charms [Prospero will] break, their senses [Prospero will]l restore, And they shall be themselves” (5.30-33).
What is resolved in Act V for Sebastian? Like his companions, Sebastian is released from Prospero, with “charms [Prospero will] break, their senses [Prospero will]l restore, And they shall be themselves” (5.30-31). Sebastian ” art pinched for’t now,” and “Would here have killed [the] king, [Prospero does] forgive [him], Unnatural though [Sebastian] art” (5. 74-79).
What is resolved in Act V for Gonzalo Gonzalo and his companions are released from Prospero, with “charms [Prospero will] break, their senses [Prospero will]l restore, And they shall be themselves” ((5.30-33). After learning that Prospero is alive and well, Gonzalo is deemed a “true preserver, and a loyal sir”, and Prospero promises to “pay thy graces Home both in word and deed” (5. 69-71).
What is resolved in Act V for Ariel From Prospero, Ariel “shalt have freedom; so, so, so” (5. 96). This is also the first time Prospero has shown Ariel genuine affection, saying “Why, that’s my dainty Ariel! I shall miss thee” (5. 95).
What is resolved in Act V for Caliban Caliban is let go by Prospero, and realised that Stephano is really only a “drunken butler” (5. 277). Caliban also “seeks for grace” (5. 294) but does not receive it, instead with Prospero saying to him, “Go to! Away!” (5. 297).
What is resolved in Act V for Stephano Stephano loses Caliban’s admiration when Caliban realises that he is just a “drunken butler” (5. 277), and must leave with his king.
What is resolved in Act V for Trinculo Trinculo still has no respect, and “is reeling ripe” (5. 279)
July 23, 2019