The Tempest Questions -English IV

How does Antonio decide to die in the storm at sea? To sink with the king
How loyal is Sebastian to his brother, the king? He wants to leave him in the sinking ship
How old was Miranda when they arrived on the island? Not yet three
Why did Antonio put Prospero and Miranda on an old boat without a sail? To make their deaths look like an accident
From whom did Prospero and Miranda get their supplies for the island? Gonzalo
Why did Prospero raise the storm at sea with his magic? To bring his enemies to the island
How long had Prospero and Miranda lived on the island? Twelve years
What did Ariel do with the passengers of the ship? Dispersed them in groups around the island
What did Ariel do with the mariners of the ship? Put them asleep in the ship
What does Ariel expect to get for all of his labors? His freedom
Who were the parents of Caliban? Sycorax and the devil
What did Prospero do for Caliban when he first came to the island? Brought him into his home and taught him language
Why does Caliban feel that he owns the island? He feels he inherited it from his mother
What happened when Prospero took Caliban into his own lodging? He attempted to rape Miranda
How has Caliban benefited from learning a language? He knows how to curse
What does Prospero threaten to do to Caliban if he does not obey him? Give him painful cramps and aching bones
According to Ariel’s song, what has happened to Ferdinand’s father, the king? He has drowned and suffered a “sea-change”
What is Miranda’s first impression of Ferdinand? She thinks he’s a spirit
What is Ferdinand’s first impression of Miranda? He thinks she’s a goddess
Why does Prospero accuse Ferdinand falsely? To slow the love between him and Miranda
Why is Alonso feeling depressed and sad? He believes his son is dead
How do Antonio and Sebastian react to Alonso’s depressed mood? They are rude and insensitive
What is Adrian’s main dramatic purpose in this scene? As a foil to Antonio and Sebastian
What happened to the garments of the royal party during the storm at sea? They were soaked, but now they are brand new
Why does Alonso feel that he suffers a double loss? He lost his daughter in a marriage and his son to the sea
Who would manage Gonzalo’s ideal commonwealth? Himself (Gonzalo)
How does Alonso feel about sleep? Relief from the grief of losing his son
What does Antonio do as soon as the king falls asleep? Tries to persuade Sebastian that he should replace his brother as king
How does Antonio feel about his conscience? It has been hardened beyond repair
What is Prospero’s project? The restoration of his dukedom of Milan
Why are Antonio and Sebastian caught with their swords drawn? They were about to stab Alonzo and Gonzalo
What was Antonio and Sebastian’s excuse for drawing their swords? To protect the king from wild animals
What does Trinculo think he has discovered when he first meets Caliban? A fish-like monster
Where does Trinculo hide from the impending thunderstorm? Under Caliban’s cloak
How did Stephano arrive at the shore of the island? Floated on a barrel of wine
How did Trinculo get to the shore? Swam like a duck
What does Stephano think he has found when he runs across Caliban’s cloak with four legs protruding? A four-legged, two-voiced monster
How does Stephano’s wine affect Caliban? It makes him drunk
What does Caliban ask Stephano to be? His god
What promises does Caliban make to Trinculo and Stephano? To show them all the wonders of the island
In scene one, what does Miranda offer to do for Ferdinand? Carry the logs for a time
Why does Miranda begin to cry? Because she is so happy
Why does Ferdinand call himself the king? Because he believes his father his dead, and he is next in line to the throne
Who proposes marriage in this scene? Miranda
What will Miranda do if Ferdinand does not want her for his wife? She will be his maid or servant
How does Prospero feel about his daughter’s marriage to Ferdinand? He is happy his plan is working
At the beginning of scene two, why is Caliban unable to walk? He is too drunk
What is Caliban’s proposal to Stephano and Trinculo? That they murder Prospero and take over the island
Who does Caliban suggest as king of the island? Stephano
What is Ariel’s purpose for mimicking Trinculo’s voice? To set the characters against each other
What is the first thing the conspirators intend to do when they reach Prospero’s cell? Take Prospero’s books
Why are Prospero’s books important to the conspiracy? Without them, he has no magical powers
How does the music affect the three characters by the end of the scene? It mesmerizes them, and they follow it
In scene three, why does the royal party stop to rest during their search for Ferdinand? They are tired and discouraged
What do Sebastian and Antonio plan to do that night? Kill the king and Gonzalo
What do Ariel’s spirits bring onto the stage? A banquet
Who does Ariel address in his speech? The “three men of sin” (Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio)
What is meant when Ariel refers to “a clear life ensuing”? A sinless life
In what condition are the three men when Prospero leaves them? In fits of madness
What does Alonso intend to do by the end of this scene? Commit suicide by drowning in the sea
Why did Prospero punish Ferdinand by forcing him to carry logs? To test his love for Miranda
What was Ferdinand’s reward for standing up under the test of log-bearing? Miranda
What is Prospero’s warning to Ferdinand? Not to have premarital sex
What does Prospero instruct Ariel to summon? The masque
Which three characters are given dialogue in the masque? Iris, Ceres, and Juno
Which two characters sing the masque song? Juno and Ceres
Why does Ceres not want Venus to attend the masque? Venus and Cupid helped Pluto abduct Ceres’ daughter, Proserpine
In whose honor is the masque given? Ferdinand and Miranda
Why does the masque suddenly vanish? Prospero remembers Caliban is trying to murder him
In what way does Prospero compare life to the masque or the stage? Both life and the masque will eventually go disappear
Where has Ariel led Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo with his tabor and pipe? Into a swamp
What does Prospero instruct Ariel to do with his wardrobe? Hang his wardrobe on a tree outside his cell
What does Prospero call Caliban in this scene? A devil
Why does Prospero feel he has treated Caliban humanely? He took him in and taught him language
How do Stephano and Trinculo react to Prospero’s expensive wardrobe? They are distracted by it
How does Caliban react to Prospero’s finery? He calls it trash
What have Stephano and Trinculo lost in the “filthy-mantled pool”? Their bottle of wine
What do Stephano and Trinculo do with Prospero’s kingly robes? They steal them
Who carries the stolen clothing? Caliban
What finally happens to the thieving trio? They are driven out by spirit dogs
In what way is Shakespeare observing the Aristotelian unity of time? The play takes place within the timespan of one day
Where has Ariel left the members of the royal party? A grove of trees next to Prospero’s cell
What does Prospero decide to do about the royal party? Forgive them
What does Prospero intend to do with his magic staff and book? Break his staff and throw his book into the sea
Why does Prospero give up his magic? He has accomplished his revenge and regained his dukedom
What is Ariel doing while he is singing? Helping dress Prospero in his duke’s clothing
What does Alonso say when he sees Prospero? He asks his forgiveness
How does Prospero assure Alonso and Gonzalo that he is still alive? He hugs Alonso and Gonzalo
What is Alonso’s irreparable loss? The death of his son, Ferdinand
What does Alonso say would reconcile him to Prospero and bring their families together? If his son married Prospero’s daughter, and they became king and queen of Naples
What are Ferdinand and Miranda pretending to do as Prospero discovers them? Playing chess
What does Ferdinand do when he sees his father, the king? He kneels before him
Why does Ferdinand feel that the seas are merciful? Because they did not drown his father
What has happened to the ship in the tempest? It is safely docked and looks as good as new
What does Prospero promise Ariel as a reward for his services His freedom
Where will Ferdinand and Miranda celebrate their marriage? In Naples
How will Prospero entertain his overnight guests? Relating the events of his life on the island for the past twelve years
Who will make sure the royal party has calm seas for their trip to Naples? Ariel
Where does Ariel go when Prospero gives him his freedom? To the elements on the island
What is the purpose of the “Epilogue”? For Prospero to ask the audience for applause to free him from the island
July 15, 2019