The Tempest (FINAL)

Prospero The main character of this play. He used to be the legitimate Duke of Milan. Unfortunately, his treacherous brother Antonio stole his title and banished him to a Mediterranean island w/ his daughter, Miranda. A great lover of the arts and in particular books, he has harnessed the powers of magic while in exile. What does he seek: revenge or reconciliation?
Miranda Prospero’s daughter. Attractive and well-educated but naïve at the tender age of fifteen years, Miranda has lived with her father in exile on the island for twelve years. Aside from her father, she has seen few men in her life, and quickly enchants the shipwrecked Ferdinand. What motivates her actions?
Ariel An airy spirit, Ariel serves her master Prospero well in his many tasks of magic on Prospero’s island. Once enslaved by a witch, Sycorax, Ariel now wants freedom.
Caliban A strange creature, half man and half beast. Shakespeare describes Caliban as a “savage and deformed slave.” Hating his master Prospero, Caliban works for him out of fear of Prospero’s magic. Does he truly desire freedom? Does he understand freedom?
Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs and Reapers Spirits that appear in the Masque, an illusion created by Prospero as a gift for his daughter and Ferdinand.
Alonso The King of Naples. When Prospero’s brother Antonio, usurped Prospero’s title as Duke of Milan, it was Alonso who acknowledged Antonio as the new Duke, sealing Prospero’s fate of living in exile.
Ferdinand The much-loved son of the King of Naples. Shipwrecked, but alive, he falls instantly in love with Miranda when he first sees her on Prospero’s island.
Sebastian The brother of Alonso, the King of Naples. He plots to kill his king (brother) and take his title with the scheming Antonio.
Antonio The brother of Prospero, he took Prospero’s title from him when Prospero trusted him to manage his affairs. Having replaced his brother, he now encourages Sebastian to do the same to his brother, Alonso.
Gonzalo An honest old advisor. When Prospero was to be starved or drowned when exiled by boat, it was Gonzalo who provided food, clothing and books to comfort Prospero and his then three year old.
Stephano A drunken butler, he attempts to kill Prospero and take the island for his own. He convinces Trinculo to help him along with Caliban, whom he fools into believing he is a God.
Trinculo A jester involved in the plot to kill Prospero.
Master of a ship, boatswains, mariners Sailors who fight Prospero’s storm but are ultimately shipwrecked on his island.
Key Themes -Archetypal journey — Hero’s Quest-reconciliation, repentance, redemption = transformation-forgiveness-dual nature: good and evil -deception; betrayal-manipulation-freedom and responsibility-nobility of character -romantic elements: Love, courtship ritual, exotic setting
Main Themes -transformation-harmony-redemption
In Act 2, Antonio flatters Sebastians’ ego w/ phrases like “Oh, Noble Sebastian” and “My strong imagination sees a crown/dropping upon thy head.” Antonio’s persuasive _______________ succeeds bc he manipulates Sebastian into agreeing to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. Rhetoric
In act 4, prospero seeks ariel’s advice by asking, “Dost thou think so spirit?” When prospero asks for Ariel’s opinion, the audience can ___________ their relationship has reached a turning point. Infer
As they plot how they will kill Prospero, Caliban tells Stephano to “Batter his skull…burn but his books…he has brave utensils.” The deliberate _______________ in these lines slows the actor’s pace a bit, emphasizing the violence in Caliban’s vision of an appropriate fate for Prospero. Alliteration
After the Masque in act 4, Prospero reflects on the themes of impermanence and illusion when he says: “…all spirits/Are melted into air…The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces/The solemn temples, the great globe itself/shall dissolve…” This descriptive detail and rich visual ____________ emphasizes life’s beauty and brevity, hinting at a possible change of heart in Prospero. Imagery
When Prospero asks Ariel about the welfare of the prisoners, Ariel, quite deliberately, replies: “… the good old lord Gonzalo/His tears run down his beard like winter’s drops” to prospero. W/ this descriptive simile, Ariel __________ his hope that the image will appeal to Prospero’s humanity, causing a change of heart. Imply/implies
Caliban’s ____________ that begins “All the infections that the sun soaks up…. on Prospero fall and make him/by inchmeal a disease!” reveals the character’s internal struggle. The audience sees the duality of character: his animal instincts contrast with an almost child-like fear of what he does not understand. Soliloquy
The deliberate repetition of similar vowel sounds, known as ____________, usually creates a poetic, melodic effect. Assonance
Both miranda and Ferdinand describe one another in phrases such as “I might call him/A thing divine…. I ever saw so noble” and “the goddess/On whom these airs attend.” Their mutual use of _______ in their descriptive details emphasizes their attraction to each other, helping the audience to believe that their love “at first sight” is genuine. Hyperbole