- The first set offers a quick run through the events of the play.
- The second set asks you to think about imagery and themes.
- A third set is on Christy Desmet's website.
THE TEMPEST
Stranded on a desert island . . . love at first sight . . . a witch's monstrous offspring . . . sprites singing invisibly . . . the wronged old king . . . golden sands and silken air . . . wicked plots to rape and murder . . . a chess game
Set One adapted by Fran Teague from study questions by John Velz
To open an excellent search engine, press here.
(You may find it most helpful to open the search engine in a new browser window. Remember that you can use the "Find" feature of your browser to search for words or a phrase. Be sure to let the text of the play load completely and consider variant spellings of words like "theater"/"theatre" if you have trouble finding a term.)
1. What does Caliban say was his motive for attempting to rape ("violate
/ The honour" of) Miranda?
2. Sebastian says that Gonzalo would treat the island like an apple; what
does Antonio envision Gonzalo doing with the apple?
3. How would the "innocent people" of Gonzalo's utopian commonwealth
be fed?
4. How would nature produce in that commonwealth?
5. What, judging from 2.2, will be Stephano's primary activity if he should
"inherit" the island?
6. What does Caliban's song about freedom say that he will be freed from
in getting a new master?
7. What does Ferdinand say his "mean task" of carrying wood becomes
when he thinks of the mistress that he serves?
8. What does Miranda offer to do with "good will" when she finds
him working?
9. What happens to the banquet when Alonso reaches out to eat it?
10. What does Prospero say will happen if Ferdinand breaks Miranda's "virgin-knot
before / All sanctimonious ceremonies" are performed?
11. What goddess presides over the "contract of true love" between
Ferdinand and Miranda? What other goddesses appear?
12. Who performs a "graceful dance" at their betrothal?
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1. There are many references to angels, devils, heaven, and hell in the play. Search for these words, and notice which character uses the word "angel" or "angels"? Who uses "devil" or "devils"? Who is called an angel and who is called a devil? Who refers to heaven, paradise, and hell? Why are heaven and paradise mentioned throughout the play, while hell is mentioned only in Act One? Search the play for "god*" and find out who is called a god or goddess and why.
2. When other characters refer to Caliban, they use negative terms. Search for these terms: beast*, monster*, sot, tortoise, fish, mooncalf. Which character never calls Caliban by any negative names?
3. There are many references to sleeping and dreaming in the play. Search for these terms: dream*, sleep*, asleep*, and awake*. Who sleeps? Who dreams? Who doesn't sleep? When are references to sleeping and dreaming literal and when metaphorical?
4. The play is centrally concerned with magic. Search for these terms: magic*, charm*, sorcer*, art*, and witch*. Is witchcraft associated with a different character from the character associated with magic? What's the difference between them? How are they alike? What motivates Prospero to use magic? Why does he plan to give up his magic?
5. Another central concern is overthrowing rulers. Several characters spend time plotting against those in power. Search for these terms: rule*, royal*, power*, usurp*, supplant*, and ambition*. Who has usurped, supplanted, or overthrown another character to gain power? Who is plotting to do so? What does all this intrigue say about the political structures in place on the island and off it? Find the speech about a commonwealth. Is Gonzalo's ideal commonwealth any better than the other political structures represented in the play? How does Shakespeare use the other characters in the scene to make this point to the audience?
