The TempestDo-Now Prompts

Do-Now: The Tempest Act 1Choose ONE of the following prompts: 1. To what extent does what one sees

determine what one knows? Is seeing always believing? Give some examples to back up your beliefs. Try to relate personally by using an anecdote about your own real life experience.

2. Does getting revenge satisfy a person’s quest for justice in the end? Is revenge ever truly satisfying? Explain. Write about a time when you got revenge or someone got revenge on you. What was the outcome?

Act 1: Scene 2- Themes to Watch….Power:

1. Prospero’s master/servant dynamics with Ariel

2. Prospero’s abuse of Caliban (master/servant dynamics)

3. Prospero’s control over Miranda’s life 4. Prospero’s tempest of revenge

Magic: Reality vs. Unreality:1. Prospero’s storm2. Ariel’s invisibility3. Miranda’s sleeping spell

Prospero’s “Wealth”1. Interpret Prospero’s lines from Act 1 Scene 2

“Me, poor man, my library was dukedom large enough”

2. What inferences can you make about Prospero based on this line?

3. Aside from money and power, what do you desire that would make you the “wealthiest” person in the world? What do you value more than a “dukedom” in your own life? Ex- your knowledge/education; family/friends;

status/popularity; athletic ability; musicality; etc.

Prospero as a RulerReread Act 1 Scene 2, lines 89-115.

A. In these lines, what does Prospero admit/reveal about himself as a ruler?

B. What gave Antonio the upper hand when it came to becoming Duke of Milan?

C. Was it Prospero’s own fault that he lost his title? Why/why not?

Caliban vs. ProsperoDiscuss Aloud:

Caliban says, “You taught me language, and my profit on ‘t is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you for learning me your language!” (Act 1 Scene 2).

1. What does he mean by this statement?

2. How does Prospero treat Caliban? Do you think Prospero’s treatment of him is fair? Why/why not?

Caliban & Ariel vs. Prospero With a partner, compare and contrast Caliban

and Ariel based on their actions, behavior, appearance, past history, relationship with

Prospero, treatment as servants, etc. 1. First, make a list/chart noting your

observations of these characters and their respective roles in the play so far.

2. Find one quote from Caliban and one quote from Ariel to prove your points and briefly explain them. Cite the line #s after your quotes.

EX: Act 1 Scene 2 Lines 85-87 (1.2.85-87)

HW: For homework, write a TWO-paragraph analysis of Ariel and Caliban’s characters that differentiate between the two slaves based on the observations you made from your chart/list above. Use both of your quotes in your analysis as well. What is your personal opinion about both of these characters and their role in the play so far? Feel free to include your own personal reaction/commentary.

Gonzalo the Good Guy A. What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role

in the plot against Prospero? How does his behavior and speech so far seem consistent with his earlier actions?

B. List and explain THREE quotes to justify your response.

C. What is Gonzalo’s idea of the type of gov’t or lifestyle that would he would use if he ruled the island? How do the others react to his ideals and vision of the world?

D. How do Antonio and Sebastian feel about Gonzalo? List and explain THREE quotes to demonstrate their attitude towards him.

Antonio & Sebastian vs. Gonzalo1. Record THREE examples of

insulting, sarcastic, or cynical lines spoken by Antonio and Sebastian about Gonzalo. *Cite the Act, Scene, and line numbers. EX: “Quote” (2.1.10-12).

2. Briefly explain the meaning of their lines. What are they suggesting about the nature of Gonzalo in each insulting line that they speak?

Worshipping Men Like Gods…1. Caliban worships Stephano and Trinculo as gods when he first meets them. How is he similar/different from Miranda in this respect? (*Recall that Miranda thought Ferdinand was a God or spirit at first glance…). Use evidence from Act 2 Scene 2 in your answer.

Objectification of Caliban List and explain THREE quotes spoken by

Trinculo and/or Stephano about Caliban. How do they view Caliban? What does this say about the way people typically feel about natives in a new land?

List and explain TWO lines demonstrating Caliban’s submission to “superior” men. Try to explain why Caliban throws himself at Stephano so willingly. How does he view himself in comparison to the Europeans on the island?

Do-Now: Enslaved by the SystemHave you ever felt like you were a “slave” to

something or someone in your life? Have you ever felt powerless as a captive of something or someone who is more powerful than you? Explain in an anecdotal paragraph. Explain how this made (or currently still makes) you feel. What did (or do you plan on doing) to gain your freedom from this oppressive force?

Then try to relate to Caliban’s character. Consider why he might be so angry with Prospero. Do you blame Caliban for reacting so harshly to his captivity and abuse now that you have reflected on your own experience being a “slave”? Explain.

Supernatural & Prospero’s MagicTwo types of Magic in The Tempest:

Black Magic: The evil witch sycorax White Magic: Metaphysical magic (alchemy, magic books)

Prospero’s Magic:Prospero uses his intelligence to win himself powerHis robe- a garment that signifies his status as magician His wand- uses it to punish Caliban and keep Ferdinand

in his placeHis books- the chief source of his power and knowledgeAriel- Uses Ariel to help him carry out his deeds

Ex: The appearance and disappearance of the banquet feast with fairies used to trick the royals

Ex: The dancing “spirits” Ex: The storm itself used to shipwreck the royals

Supernatural & ArielAriel’s name = Aerial/ of the air Ariel summons “supernatural spirits” classified as

those of: Air, fire, water, and earthFire: Evoke to set the ship ablaze during the shipwreckAir: The music, noises like thunder, and “sweet sounds”

of the island all come from Ariel Ex: Caliban says, “The isle is full of noises, sounds, and

sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices, that if I then had waked from a long sleep, will make me sleep again…and then I would wake to dream again”…

Water: Ariel calls upon spirits and elves of the brooks and streams

Earth: Ariel calls upon dogs and hounds to plague and punish the fools and Caliban in Act 4

Justice: Time & PunishmentAriel disguised as a harpy is symbolicHarpy= ministers of the gods sent to punish

those who have angered the godsThey punish by devouring or stealing foodThey are associated with dire consequences

and prophesies or bad omens (Uh oh Antonio!)Ariel as the harpy = a warning to Alonso,

Sebastian, and Antonio that they WILL BE PUNISHED for overthrowing Prospero as Duke of Milan and plotting against him.

Gonzalo doesn’t see the harpy! Why? Gonzalo is not sinful or greedy like the others and therefore is innocent. He will be spared and not punished.

Do-Now Journal:In a paragraph, respond to the following

questions:How do you think Miranda’s marriage to

Ferdinand will affect Prospero? Will Miranda’s relationship with Prospero

change at all now that she is a bride? How so? Explain.

What evidence do you have that prove Prospero might struggle with surrendering control over his daughter to another man? *Hint- consider how much Prospero loves being in control of others…

Prospero Losing His Power & ControlProspero giving his daughter Miranda to

Ferdinand in marriage = losing his daughter/companion

Miranda is no longer someone for Prospero to rule

Prospero is losing his power and influence as a father now that Miranda has given herself to Ferdinand

Miranda has shown loyalty to Ferdinand over Prospero by…Sneaking off to help him with his choresTelling him her name altho her dad forbid

itPledging to be his servant (Is this another

form of submission? Perhaps!)Devoting her heart to him as his wife

Act 4 Themes: Ferdinand has won his freedom from Prospero. Why?- He faced his loss of power without bitterness or

resentment. He EARNED his freedom by working for it. Prospero’s Magic: Prospero creates a play for his

daughter’s marriage ceremony, displaying his power and creativity

Mythological Allusions:Iris: Greek goddess of the rainbowCeres: The harvest goddess. Wishes the newlyweds an abundant, prosperous life (food, resources, land, children)

Juno: (Hera) Wife of Zeus and queen of the gods. She blesses the wedding ceremony.

More Act 4 Themes: Change is inevitable: Prospero talks about the

impermanence and temporary nature of all things say, “We are such stuff as dreams are made of”

Tells Ferdinand that all good things must come to an end, and so the magical little play concludes.

Why is Prospero being all nostalgic? His daughter just got married and is all grown up!

His life is in danger- (Caliban wants him dead) He is losing his powerAllusion to Shakespeare: Prospero is snapping

back to reality admitting that all things in life are impermanent and must come to an end, just like Shakespeare’s career as a writer! See the connect?! Was this Shakespeare’s way of saying goodbye to his audience?

Miranda’s Innocence & Ferdinand’s Grace 1. Briefly write a character description of Miranda

based on the points made in the article. 2. What kind of father has Prospero been to

Miranda? Use evidence from the article and play.3. How does Miranda differ from Ferdinand in

terms of her lifestyle, upbringing, experience in life, etc? Use examples from the article and the play.

4. As the article asks, how will Miranda behave in the “artificial society” that Ferdinand belongs to back in Italy? What challenges might she encounter in the brave new world she will soon become a part of?

Do-Now: Have you ever felt like a prisoner or a slave

to the system or to some other outside force/person in your life? Explain. What did you do or what could you do to gain your liberty?

Choose a character from the play and discuss his/her imprisonment. Explain how this character’s imprisonment (whether real or metaphorical) has shaped his/her life and personality. Is this character justified in his/her method of seeking freedom? Why/why not?

Homework:If you were Prospero, would you forgive

your brother, Antonio, and the other royals who conspired against you? Do they deserve a second chance, or punishment?

Is Prospero the kind of person who can be fair and forgiving? How do you know?

Explain your beliefs and justification using examples from the text and your own personal knowledge of forgiveness vs. revenge as you answer all parts of the question.

1/2 page analysis- use at least ONE quote from the play.

Forgiveness & MercyExplain the line from The Tempest:

“The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance”. Do you agree? Explain. Then explain how this relates to your own life or someone you know personally by giving examples/anecdotes. If you can’t relate personally, do you know someone who has chosen to put “virtue” before “vengeance”? How might using virtue over vengeance benefit a person in life?

The Art of Forgiveness1. What are some of the benefits of forgiveness?

2. How can it be argued that forgiveness is not a “religious” experience all the time?

3. How is forgiveness different than reconciliation?

4. How can we differentiate between forgiveness and “forgiving and forgetting”?

5. What are some misconceptions about forgiveness?

Prospero’s Freedom1. In what ways has Prospero gained his

freedom by the end of the play? (Consider his decision to relinquish his magic…and his treatment of the royals at the end of the play…etc.) Analyze your examples. Is Prospero a changed man now that he is “free” of his emotional and physical burdens? Explain.

2. In what way have you gotten freedom in your own life after a struggle or obstacle? (It can be metaphorical freedom- emotional freedom, etc.) Explain and discuss how this has impacted your life and changed you as a person.

Prospero/Shakespeare’s FarewellAnalyze the symbolism of Prospero’s farewell in

the Epilogue of the play. What is the message behind his words in the epilogue? What does he request of the audience and why?

How does the Epilogue symbolically relate to William Shakespeare? If we interpret Prospero’s words as Shakespeare’s, how might we then interpret the ending of the play? What was Shakespeare’s final message to the audience and what he might have been seeking by putting down the magical “staff” so to speak.

Tempest Final ReflectionMicrocosm:  A representation of something large on a much smaller scale.

How is the island a microcosm of how society and life works? Who plays what roles on this island, and how does this represent a larger whole?

 Use examples from the play and discuss all major characters in your analysis. You may list your examples as your explain your points.