The tempest act one

© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 22

The Tempest Act One

1 of 22 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The Tempest Act One

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Learning objectives

2 of 22 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Become familiar with the principal characters of the play

Gain an overview of the plot of the first act

Develop a basic understanding of the relationship between Prospero and Ariel, and between Prospero and Caliban

Consider the themes of punishment, revenge and power

In this presentation you will…


Introduction


Act One summary


First impressions – the King’s men

In the opening scene we meet the villains of the play.

Who are they?

What are your first impressions of Alonso, King of Naples?

What are your first impressions of Antonio and Sebastian?

Why is the boatswain angry with them?


First impressions – the King’s men

Gonzalo is not a villain, but he like Antonio and Sebastian has harsh words for the boatswain.

Why do you think Gonzalo speaks so rudely to the boatswain?

If you were directing the play, how would you have Gonzalo deliver his lines? Angrily? Jokingly? Philosophically? Comically? As if he was frightened? As if he was giving a lecture?


First impressions – Prospero and Miranda

Act One, Scene Two introduces us to the protagonist, Prospero, and his daughter, Miranda.

Reread as far as line 41. What are your first impressions of Prospero and Miranda?

Now read lines 66–118. Do you think Prospero is partly to blame for what happened to him?

What emotions do you think Prospero feels as he tells the story?


Use a table like the one below to make notes on Prospero. Find examples and quotes from the text to support your views.

Personality Evidence

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CalculatingHe plotted to bring his enemies to him

Prospero

If you were the director, how would you cast Prospero? How old would he be? Would he be kindly? Wise? Irritable? Moody? Unpredictable? Detached? Loving? Intense? Frightening? Rambling? Controlled?


CHARACTER CRIME PUNISHMENT

Antonio, Prospero’s brother

Usurped Prospero as Duke of Milan

Alonso,King of Naples

Aided Antonio against Prospero

Sebastian,Alonso’s brother

Plans to kill Alonso and become King

Stephano, a drunken servant

Plans to kill Prospero and rule the island

Predictions – Prospero’s revenge

Prospero has raised the tempest to bring his enemies within his grasp. Can you predict what his revenge will be?


Prospero and Ariel


Prospero and Ariel

Prospero and Ariel have a complex relationship. The way Prospero interacts with Ariel, and also with Caliban, will help us understand his character.

ATTITUDE EVIDENCE

What is Ariel’s attitude to Prospero?


Prospero and Ariel

ATTITUDE EVIDENCE

What is Prospero’s attitude to Ariel?

Has the exchange between Prospero and Ariel altered your opinion of Prospero in any way? Give reasons for your answer.


Prospero and Caliban


ATTITUDE EVIDENCE

What is Prospero’s attitude to Caliban?

ATTITUDE EVIDENCE

What is Caliban’s attitude to Prospero?

Prospero and Caliban


Prospero and Caliban – questions

Do you have any sympathy for Caliban? Why or why not?

What do you think of his claim that the island is his?

How do you think Miranda feels about Caliban? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Can you spot any similarities between Prospero and Caliban?

Can you spot any similarities between Caliban and Ariel? What about the differences?


What does Caliban look like?

Shakespeare never clearly describes Caliban’s appearance. What do you think he should look like?

Here is a photo of an actor playing the part of Caliban.

What do you think of his appearance?

If you were the director, how would you ask the actor playing Caliban to deliver his lines in Act One, Scene Two? Would he be comical? Frightening? Repulsive? Pathetic?


Prospero and power

Many Elizabethans believed that a king’spower came from God, and that treason was therefore an act of blasphemy. However, it was also generally accepted that monarchs were human, and therefore fallible.

Is Prospero presented as a good ruler? Does he use his power wisely? Did he make a good ruler when he was Duke of Milan? Do you think he will change during the course of the play?

Prospero controls everyone on the island. In Shakespeare’s day an audience would have seen him as the natural ruler: he is of noble blood, male, educated, and European.


Theme: power


Miranda and Ferdinand

The first act closes with the meeting between Miranda and Ferdinand. Ferdinand believes his father has perished in the shipwreck, but nevertheless he falls in love with Miranda as soon as he sets eyes on her – and she with him. All this is just what Prospero has planned…

Ferdinand’s first lines come in this scene. What are your impressions of him?

Do you think Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love spontaneously, or is Prospero giving them a bit of magical help?


Miranda, Ferdinand and Prospero

Prospero believes that if the lovers’ path was made too smooth, they would not sufficiently value their relationship. So he accuses Ferdinand of treason and makes him a prisoner.

What effect does this have on Ferdinand? How does he react? What does this say about him?

What effect does it have on Miranda? Does she react in the way you expect?

Do you think Prospero is justified in what he does?


Use a table like the one below to make notes on Miranda. Find examples and quotes from the text to support your views.

Personality Evidence

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

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Miranda


How much can you remember?

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The tempest act one