Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who brought the tempest upon the ship?
Who brought the tempest upon the ship?
- Caliban
- Prospero
- Miranda
- Ariel (correct)
Why does Prospero chastise Ariel?
Why does Prospero chastise Ariel?
- For making a mistake
- For not performing tasks
- For protesting (correct)
- For being ungrateful
Who was Ariel imprisoned by before Prospero freed him?
Who was Ariel imprisoned by before Prospero freed him?
- Miranda
- Caliban
- Prospero
- Sycorax (correct)
What is Ferdinand's relationship with Miranda?
What is Ferdinand's relationship with Miranda?
Why does Prospero charm Ferdinand?
Why does Prospero charm Ferdinand?
Who proposes killing Alonso and others when they are asleep?
Who proposes killing Alonso and others when they are asleep?
What is Trinculo's initial reaction when he encounters Caliban under the cloak?
What is Trinculo's initial reaction when he encounters Caliban under the cloak?
What does Stephano attempt to get Caliban to do?
What does Stephano attempt to get Caliban to do?
'He then sends Ariel on another mysterious mission.' What does this reveal about Prospero?
'He then sends Ariel on another mysterious mission.' What does this reveal about Prospero?
What does Caliban propose to Stephano and Trinculo?
What does Caliban propose to Stephano and Trinculo?
How does Ariel manipulate Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban?
How does Ariel manipulate Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban?
What sin does Ariel accuse Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, and Antonio of committing?
What sin does Ariel accuse Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, and Antonio of committing?
How does Prospero make a banquet disappear when it is set out for Alonso and his companions?
How does Prospero make a banquet disappear when it is set out for Alonso and his companions?
What does Ariel lead Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban through, as part of a trap set by Prospero?
What does Ariel lead Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban through, as part of a trap set by Prospero?
What plan do Antonio and Sebastian secretly make concerning Alonso and Gonzalo?
What plan do Antonio and Sebastian secretly make concerning Alonso and Gonzalo?
How does Prospero ensure that Ferdinand and Miranda do not break her 'virgin-knot' prematurely?
How does Prospero ensure that Ferdinand and Miranda do not break her 'virgin-knot' prematurely?
'Prospero now softens toward Ferdinand.' What prompted this change in Prospero's attitude?
'Prospero now softens toward Ferdinand.' What prompted this change in Prospero's attitude?
What results from Prospero's trap set for Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban?
What results from Prospero's trap set for Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban?
What miracle does Alonso witness at the end of the play?
What miracle does Alonso witness at the end of the play?
Who orchestrated the shipwreck in the text?
Who orchestrated the shipwreck in the text?
What was the reason behind Prospero's brother, Antonio, usurping his position as the Duke of Milan?
What was the reason behind Prospero's brother, Antonio, usurping his position as the Duke of Milan?
Who left Prospero and Miranda supplies and his books when they were left to die on a raft at sea?
Who left Prospero and Miranda supplies and his books when they were left to die on a raft at sea?
After the shipwreck, where do Miranda and Prospero stand?
After the shipwreck, where do Miranda and Prospero stand?
Which character is described as 'unflappable' during the storm at sea?
Which character is described as 'unflappable' during the storm at sea?
Why does Prospero say it is time for Miranda to learn more about herself and her past?
Why does Prospero say it is time for Miranda to learn more about herself and her past?
Where was Prospero left to die after being kidnapped from Milan?
Where was Prospero left to die after being kidnapped from Milan?
Who was the King of Naples that conspired with Antonio to usurp Prospero's position?
Who was the King of Naples that conspired with Antonio to usurp Prospero's position?
What literary technique does Shakespeare utilize by starting The Tempest 'in medias res'?
What literary technique does Shakespeare utilize by starting The Tempest 'in medias res'?
Which character assists Prospero in escaping after he is overthrown as the Duke of Milan?
Which character assists Prospero in escaping after he is overthrown as the Duke of Milan?
What event marks the inciting incident of The Tempest?
What event marks the inciting incident of The Tempest?
Who conspired with Antonio to overthrow Prospero as the Duke of Milan?
Who conspired with Antonio to overthrow Prospero as the Duke of Milan?
What led to Prospero using sorcery to create the tempest in The Tempest?
What led to Prospero using sorcery to create the tempest in The Tempest?
Who were the key figures involved in the plot to assassinate Prospero and take over Milan?
Who were the key figures involved in the plot to assassinate Prospero and take over Milan?
What is the main reason behind Prospero's desire to return to Milan?
What is the main reason behind Prospero's desire to return to Milan?
How does Shakespeare introduce the character of Prospero in The Tempest?
How does Shakespeare introduce the character of Prospero in The Tempest?
'In medias res' is a Latin phrase that translates to:
'In medias res' is a Latin phrase that translates to:
Who helps Prospero create the storm that causes the shipwreck in The Tempest?
Who helps Prospero create the storm that causes the shipwreck in The Tempest?
What are the primary themes that define the action of the play?
What are the primary themes that define the action of the play?
How does Prospero manipulate his enemies using Ariel?
How does Prospero manipulate his enemies using Ariel?
What purpose does separating the shipwrecked crew into different groups serve in the play?
What purpose does separating the shipwrecked crew into different groups serve in the play?
How does Prospero's emotional manipulation impact Alonso and his company?
How does Prospero's emotional manipulation impact Alonso and his company?
What is the ultimate outcome of Prospero's designs in confronting his enemies?
What is the ultimate outcome of Prospero's designs in confronting his enemies?
What event triggers Alonso's deep feelings for Prospero's loss?
What event triggers Alonso's deep feelings for Prospero's loss?
What role do separation and eventual reunion play in the character development of Prospero?
What role do separation and eventual reunion play in the character development of Prospero?
What effect does Prospero orchestrating the shipwreck have on the characters' relationships and emotions?
What effect does Prospero orchestrating the shipwreck have on the characters' relationships and emotions?
What significant transformation occurs in Alonso's emotions towards Prospero as the play progresses?
What significant transformation occurs in Alonso's emotions towards Prospero as the play progresses?
What is the final emotional tone of the play brought about by Prospero's actions?
What is the final emotional tone of the play brought about by Prospero's actions?
What does Miranda believe she disobeys when pursuing romance with Ferdinand?
What does Miranda believe she disobeys when pursuing romance with Ferdinand?
Who does Prospero consider disobedient when asking for freedom in the play?
Who does Prospero consider disobedient when asking for freedom in the play?
What is one way in which Ariel is different from Miranda in the play?
What is one way in which Ariel is different from Miranda in the play?
Which character's name means both 'wonderful' and 'admirable' in Latin?
Which character's name means both 'wonderful' and 'admirable' in Latin?
In The Tempest, what does wonder sometimes imply about the island's occurrences?
In The Tempest, what does wonder sometimes imply about the island's occurrences?
What does Trinculo first identify Caliban as upon laying eyes on him?
What does Trinculo first identify Caliban as upon laying eyes on him?
What theme of The Tempest is associated mainly with the ugly and hateful Caliban?
What theme of The Tempest is associated mainly with the ugly and hateful Caliban?
Study Notes
The Illusion of Justice
- The Tempest tells a story of an unjust act, Prospero's brother usurping his throne, and Prospero's quest to restore justice by reclaiming power.
- Prospero's idea of justice is subjective and one-sided, prioritizing his own interests.
- Despite his claims of victimhood, Prospero enslaves Ariel and Caliban, demonstrating hypocrisy.
- The play lacks a higher order of justice, leaving moral ambiguity.
- Prospero's role as a creator/author mirrors Shakespeare's own, making his sense of justice more sympathetic.
- Prospero's methods of achieving justice, using magic and tricks, echo the special effects of theater.
The Difficulty of Distinguishing "Men" from "Monsters"
- Miranda and Prospero view Caliban as both human and brutish, with contradictory views on his nature.
- Caliban claims kindness to Prospero, while Prospero accuses Caliban of attempted rape.
- The audience's perception of Caliban depends on whether they see him as inherently brutish or made brutish by oppression.
- Caliban's eloquent speeches are balanced with degrading behavior, blurring the line between men and monsters.
- Trinculo's speech highlights the cruelty of capturing and displaying exotic beings for entertainment.
The Allure of Ruling a Colony
- The island represents infinite possibility to characters, including Prospero, Sycorax, Caliban, and Gonzalo.
- Many characters envision the island as a space of freedom and unrealized potential.
- The tone of the play is vexed towards the hopes of would-be colonizers, with Gonzalo's utopian vision being undercut by Sebastian and Antonio.
- The colonized have only one representative, Caliban, who is torn between seeking freedom and seeking a new ruler.
Prospero's Threats
- Prospero issues many threats, demonstrating his innate violence and cruelty.
- Most threats are directed at his servants, including Caliban and Ariel.
- Threats often contain elements of magic, such as torture and imprisonment.
- Prospero's threats link him to other tyrannical figures, like Sycorax.
Obedience and Disobedience
- Prospero stands at the top of the island's hierarchy of power, demanding obedience from all subjects.
- Each of Prospero's subjects, including Caliban, Ariel, and Miranda, disobeys him at some point.
- Caliban's disobedience involves swearing allegiance to Stephano, attempting to topple the island's hierarchy.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' with this quiz. Explore the characters and events in the stormy tale of shipwrecks, magic, and revenge.
