tempest questions

The Tempest ACTS II-V
Directions: Choose 3 questions from each act (you will have a total of 12 answers when you finish) and answer the questions in complete sentences, using textual evidence, and in no less than 50 words each. Make sure you make clear what questions you chose to answer!

ACT II
1. What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role in the plot against Prospero? Does his behavior seem consistent with how he acts now?

2. What is Gonzalo’s idea of the type of government or life style that could be possible on this island? Why does he say this at this time?
Antonio and Sebastian are making fun of Gonzalo. They ask him what would he do if were king. Gonzalo answer that everyone would be equal and no one would be in poverty or in greed. There would be no crime and no famine. It would be like a utopia or a perfect kingdom.

3. Antonio incites Sebastian to kill his brother and take the crown of Naples. Why? What does this tell us about Antonio’s motives? What does Sebastian’s response tell us about him? What could Shakespeare be saying about human nature?

Shakespeare could be saying that humans have a need for power and that they are willing to do anything for it, even kill their own brother. Sebastian is not a very good person; he can’t be trusted and he isn’t a very good judge of character. Sebastian thinks he could rule better. Antonio is trying to get Sabastian to kill his brother so that he could use Sabastian.

4. Given the serious character of the previous episode, this scene brings a welcome helping of comic action. What does Caliban think when he sees Trinculo? (Compare this with the reactions of both Miranda and Ferdinand when each sees the other first, in I, ii.)

5. How does the conclusion of this scene provide a comic parallel to what happened to Prospero twelve years previously, and even more to the events of the preceding scene?

It seems like history is repeating itself with Sebastian almost killed Alonso and that is like Antonio almost killing Prospero because it was would be like the same instance. Except I think Sebastian would have a guilty conscience. He doesn’t seem to be as bad of a person as Antonio.

6. Is it surprising that Caliban willingly worships Stephano and desires to give him control of the island when he resents Prospero for usurping what he considers his rightful claim to the island? What does this show about Caliban?

ACT III
1. How has Ferdinand’s and Miranda’s love deepened from their first attraction? What is Shakespeare suggesting about the true nature of love?

Shakespeare is saying that love deepens as you get to know each other. It makes a stronger bond that cannot be broken by anyone. Love should not be forced because it will fall apart and become hatred. Ferdinand’s and Miranda’s love starts to grow as she watches him do these tasks to prove himself worth of her and her love. He falls even harder when he finds out her heavenly name.

2. What does Caliban hope to accomplish by his plot against Prospero? Why does Shakespeare include this subplot mirroring the conspiracy of the nobles?

Shakespeare hopes to make suspense. Caliban hopes to get Stephano and Tinculo to kill Prospero and burn his books. Then he will give Miranda to him and she will become a queen. Then Caliban can have back his island and get revenge for what Prospero did to him.

3. How does the apparition of the banquet affect Alonso and his retinue? How is the banquet used as a symbol? Why aren’t the men allowed to eat the food? Is this an effective moment for Ariel to accuse them of their sins?

4. What is different about the dialogue between Caliban, Stephano and Tinculo vs. the dialogue between Prospero, Miranda and Ferdinand? Why are the patterns of speech different?

Caliban, Stephano and Tinculo talk drunk and improper. They speak like subject and fools. As Prospero, Miranda and Ferdinand talk more gracefully as they are royalty. Shakespeare does this to distinct the different classes and personalities of the people. The drunk one speech makes less sense and talk plainer than Miranda who talks dainty and like a higher class lady.

ACT IV
1. How is Ferdinand different from Caliban in his relationship to Miranda? Why does he pledge to keep her honor safe?
Ferdinand is different from Caliban because Ferdinand really loves Miranda. While Caliban just wants to rape her because he’s bored and has nothing better to do. Ferdinand has enough respect and love for Miranda to wait as long as it is needed and do whatever it takes to get her.

2. Comment on Prospero's conversation with Ferdinand, paying close attention to the younger man's responses.

Ferdinand responds kind of like a young man to day taking a girl out for the first time. As Prospero acts like a father instead of a lord in this instance. He loves his daughter and wants her to be loved and respected by any man who wants his daughter.

3. What is your opinion of the long speech beginning "Our revels now are ended"? (Comment on what it means in its context and more generally, as well as on the theatrical imagery).

4. How does the arrival of the three drunkards change the mood? Comment on the informality of language here, and the low comedy which precedes the routing of the would-be assassins.

5. What is the overall impact of the Masque? How is it supposed to affect the two young lovers? What is its message about the sanctity of the marriage bond?

It is a bond not only between love and lands. The goddess wish good fortune for them and fertility for Miranda. This bond keeps them together forever and means that they will love and cherish each other forever. Most people in that time stayed together their whole life’s and didn’t divorce.

6. Why does the masque suddenly disappear when Prospero remembers the plot against him by Caliban and his crew? What is Shakespeare suggesting by contrasting these two events?

7. How are Stephano and Trinculo distracted from their plot? What does this show about their natures? What does Caliban think about their behavior?

ACT V
1. Why does Prospero decide to show mercy to his enemies? Why is Ariel the first to speak of mercy? Do you think Prospero had planned to forgive them from the beginning?
Prospero forgave them because nothing would have changed if he sought revenge anyways. He would have still been sent to that island and it would of made him a horrible person for seeking revenge. I think after being on that island he forgave them. Time changes a person and makes people forgive and heal.

2. Why does Prospero decide to give up magic? What does his choice show about what he thinks happened in the past? How does he plan to live in the future? What has Prospero learned? Has he changed in any fundamental way or had the change already occurred before the beginning of the action?
He gives the magic up to show that he’s changed. That he’s not seeking revenge but seeking his family and a new life. He learned if you don’t pay attention to your own responsibilities people take them from you. He plans to make a new relationship with his brother and his country. The change happened way before the beginning. Over time the anger faded and he forgave his brother and the other traders.

3. Are Caliban and Prospero reconciled? Explain.

4. Are Alonso, Antonio, and the other conspirators truly sorry for their plot against Prospero? Has their ordeal on the island changed them? Explain.
They aren’t sorry for what they did. They are just saying that because they don’t want to die or worse be left on the island to rot like Prospero and Miranda did for all those years. I think they will never under estimate Prospero ever again. I don’t think they changed that much because people’s personality’s don’t change and they aren’t good people.