The tempest act two

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The Tempest Act Two

1 of 22 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The Tempest Act Two

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Learning objectives

2 of 22 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

In this presentation you will…

Gain an overview of the plot of the second act

Become familiar with the remaining characters in the play

Consider the themes of order, authority, servitude and freedom


Act Two plot summary


Who’s who?


The island: first impressions


Shakespeare and the idea of order

The importance of order – and the consequences of order being disturbed – are ideas which run through many of Shakespeare’s plays. Civil war, treason, and regicide (the killing of a king) are regular events in the history plays, while social and familial disorder are frequently exploited for humorous purposes in the comedies (which usually end with everything being put back in its proper place).

Political and social order is seen as a natural state of affairs, and its disruption is often mimicked in the natural world – for instance, in the weather.


Order in The Tempest

The theme of order is important in The Tempest. Think back to Act One.

In what way has the political order been violated?

In what way has familial order been violated?

Find a quotation which shows the natural world reacting in sympathy to the betrayal of Prospero.

Can you comment on the symbolism of the tempest?

The idea of order is further explored in Act Two, beginning with Gonzalo’s vision of the ideal state.


Gonzalo’s commonwealth


Gonzalo’s commonwealth

Do you think any of Gonzalo’s ideas are practical?

Which of Gonzalo’s ideas do you think would be good for a country, and which (if any) would be bad? Give reasons for your answers.

What do Gonzalo’s ideas tell us about his character?


The divine right of kings

The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon

God's throne, but even by God himself are called gods.

James I, Works, c.1603

This was what James I had to say on the topic of kingship:

Although the king ruled by divine appointment, he was still human and might therefore be a bad ruler. But because God had chosen him, the people had to put up with him.

How might the so-called ‘divine right’ of kings affect the way someone ruled?How does this affect your understanding of what Antonio and Sebastian plan to do?


POINT EXPLANATION

My strong imagination sees a crownDropping upon thy head.

[line 200–201]

Will you grant with me

That Ferdinand is drowned?

[line 235–236]

How shall that Claribel Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis, And let Sebastian wake. [line 250–252]

Arguments for murder

In the latter half of Act Two, Scene One Antonio urges his friend Sebastian to the double crime of regicide (killing a king) and fratricide (killing one’s brother). Explain how each of Antonio’s points strengthens his argument.


Staging the scene


Prospero and Caliban


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

Personality Evidence

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

________________ _________________

Caliban


Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo


Caliban: an historical reading

The Tempest was written (c.1600) at a time when the European nations were exploring, colonizing and conquering other parts of the world – in particular, the Americas. The Europeans considered the people of these new countries to be ‘savages’, morally and intellectually inferior.

Some critics believe that Shakespeare’s representation of Caliban was influenced by travellers’ tales about the native peoples of the New World. Indeed, it is often remarked that his name is a (misspelled) anagram of ‘cannibal’.


Exploitation, domination, freedom

In Act Two, Scene Two Shakespeare uses humour to explore the serious issues of exploitation, servitude and freedom.

The meeting between Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo is full of comic misunderstandings, with Stephano and Trinculo taking Caliban for a monster rather than a human being, and Caliban thinking Stephano and Trinculo are first spirits, then gods. However, this reflects what actually happened when Europeans first met Native Americans.

Lo, now, lo! Here comes a spirit…


Exploiting Caliban

In Shakespearean England, the public would pay to see people from other countries exhibited like animals in so-called ‘freak’ shows. These people were often mistreated. They also suffered terribly from the cold and from European diseases.

Notice how both Trinculo and Stephano immediately think of exploiting Caliban.

What else do they plan to do with him?

TRINCULO: Were I in England now, as once I was,and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool therebut would give a piece of silver: there would thismonster make a man. Any strange beast there makes aman. When they will not give a doit to relieve a lamebeggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian.


Another side to Caliban?

How does Caliban’s attitude to Stephano differ from his attitude to Prospero?

Think back to Act One, where Caliban claims to have welcomed Prospero and Miranda when they first arrived on the island. How does his dialogue in this scene support this claim?

Compare the language of Stephano and Trinculo with that of Caliban. How does it differ? Why do you think this is?

Stephano and Trinculo are lowly characters, servants and clowns, but Caliban is prepared to take them for gods. Does this mean they are ‘better’ than he is? In your opinion, is Caliban stupid, or merely unsophisticated?


Another side to Caliban?

Look at Caliban’s offer to serve Stephano.

I’ll show thee the best springs. I’ll pluck thee berries.I’ll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.

A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,

Thou wondrous man.

Do you think he is justified in calling Prospero a tyrant?

Do you think he would continue to serve Stephano willingly? Justify your answer with evidence from the text.


Servitude or freedom?

Do you believe that Caliban has gained the freedom to choose his own master, or has he simply bound himself into slavery anew? Why do you suppose Caliban offered to serve Stephano, rather than asserting his own claim to the island?Do you think any of the characters’ plans will work out?

’Ban! ’Ban! Ca–caliban! – Has a new master – Get a new man!

Freedom, high-day! High-day, freedom! Freedom,high-day, freedom!

At the end of the act Caliban celebrates his liberation from Prospero, while Stephano and Trinculo believe that they are now rulers of the island.


Useful words

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The tempest act two