Questions and answers

1. When was the play first performed?
- 1st November 1611 (16 hundreds, 17th century)
2. How is the theme of power introduced in the first scene?
- The courtiers are completely powerless on the ship
- No influence - reversed hierarchy
3. What props are used to symbolise Prospero's magical powers?
- Books, cape, staff
4. What is the purpose of Prospero explaining why they are there?
- Fill in audience on backstory and why he created the storm
- Miranda takes the place of the audience - we are as clueless as she is - Prospero fills us in
- We know about the past from what Prospero tells us
5. What is Ariel's attitude towards her tasks?
- At first reluctant
- After reminder he/she is willing and treads carefully
- Ariel is a sprite and genderless
- Ariel is mischievous and loves causing chaos - tricksy
6. How does Caliban mirror the indigenous population of a colonised land?
- Colonisation was happening a lot in the 17th century
- Caliban is angry at his loss - resents Prospero
- Worships Stephano
- Showed them everything and treated them kindly
7. What is Ariel's song about?
- First about dancing by the seashore
- Second part about Alonso's death and being drowned
- Ariel is convincing Ferdinand Alonso is dead
8. What does Gonzalo's Utopia involve?
- No power hierarchy
- Equality
- (Everyone wants power when they arrive on the island)
9.Why does Antonio want Sebastian to kill Alonso?
- Wants the power over Naples
10. What is the dramatic purpose of Stephano and Trinculo?
- Very low characters
- Comedy, humour, fun, entertainment
- Shakespeare trying to cater to a wide audience
11. How does Prospero punish Ferdinand?
- Makes him carry wood
- Prince is reduced to a slave
12. How does Caliban persuade Stephano help him overthrow Prospero?
- Talks about being able to have Miranda
- Miranda is nothing more than a reward - can be owned
13. At the Banquet in what form does Ariel appear to them?
- Harpy - Greek mythological creature
- Head and torso of a woman
- Bad omen - omen of vengeance
- Ariel takes power by fear
14. How is Miranda and Ferdinand's betrothal celebrated?
- Masque
- Performance by spirits - short play about fertility
15. What distracts Stephano and Trinculo
- Clothes 'finery' but Caliban calls it 'trumpery' - fake, rubbish
- Stephano and Trinculo taken in by it
16. "We are such stuff that dreams are made of"
- We think that we are in control and important
17. What does Prospero give up in Act 5 Scene 1?
- Magical powers - destroys magical objects
- Desire for revenge
- No vengeance - looks for forgiveness
18. What are Ferdinand and Ariel doing when they are seen in Act 5 Scene 1?
- Playing chess
- Power battle - all about toppling the king
- About gaining and losing power
19. Which character has the most ambiguous ending?
- Shakespeare often leaves one character
- Caliban doesn't get an ending
20. What is interesting about the epilogue?
- Prospero talking to the audience - asking audience to applaud
- Audience has the power to set Prospero free
- Recognition of the fictional nature of the play