10 Questions
Who whispers to Sebastian that Alonso's exhaustion and desperation will provide the perfect opportunity to kill the king?
Antonio
What fills the stage as Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo become exhausted?
Solemn and strange music
What kind of spirits enter the stage in 'several strange shapes' bringing a banquet of food?
Spirits in several strange shapes
What creature does Ariel make himself look like when he enters as a harpy?
A harpy
How does Ariel (as the Harpy) make the banquet vanish?
Claps his wings upon the table
Why does Prospero accuse Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio of driving him from Milan?
For leaving him and his child at the mercy of the sea.
What revenge does Prospero claim the powers of nature and the sea have taken on Alonso for their sin?
Taking Ferdinand from Alonso.
What does Prospero do to show his control over his enemies?
Applauds the work of his spirit and leaves them in their distracted state.
Why does Alonso become desperate and run off?
He believes Prospero will kill Ferdinand.
What does Gonzalo advise the younger lords to do in the chaotic situation?
Run after Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso, and make sure they don't do anything foolish.
Study Notes
The King's Exhaustion
- Alonso and his companions, including Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo, become exhausted and lose hope of finding Ferdinand.
- Antonio sees an opportunity to kill Alonso due to his desperation.
The Mysterious Banquet
- A procession of spirits enters with a banquet, accompanied by strange music.
- The spirits invite the king and his party to eat, but then suddenly disappear.
- Prospero enters, invisible to everyone except the audience.
Ariel's Intervention
- Ariel enters as a harpy, a monstrous creature with eagle-like features and a woman's face.
- Ariel causes the banquet to disappear and accuses Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio of wronging Prospero and leaving him to the mercy of the sea.
- Ariel says that their actions have led to the powers of nature and the sea exacting revenge on Alonso by taking Ferdinand.
Aftermath
- Prospero, still invisible, is pleased with Ariel's work and takes control of his enemies.
- Alonso becomes desperate, fearing Prospero will kill Ferdinand, and runs off.
- Sebastian and Antonio decide to fight, while Gonzalo advises caution and tells the young lords to follow and prevent them from doing anything foolish.
Explore a summary of Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' where tensions rise as Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill King Alonso. As the scene unfolds, mysterious spirits bring a banquet, changing the course of events.
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