Tempest Test Review

Who was Sycorax?

A pregnant witch from Algiers.

Who first asks Prospero for forgiveness?

Alonso, who wants the punishments to end because he believes his son to be dead

Why should Ariel be grateful to Prospero and just do what he's told?

Ariel angered Sycorax who imprisoned him in a tree. Prospero freed him.

What role does Ariel play in Prospero's plan against the drunken trio?

Ariel is invisible and disguises his voice as Trinculo's to create chaos and trouble among the three.

Motif: Betrayal

Betrayal feels especially worse when it comes from family.

How does Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban's plan mimic that of Sebastian and Antonio?

Both groups are trying to murder the person in charge for a new ruler to rise.

How are Sycorax and Prospero alike?

Both were kicked out of their countries for witchcraft and wizardry. Prospero had three year old Miranda to take care of. Sycorax was pregnant with Caliban.

What is Caliban's attitude towards Prospero's control of the island?

Caliban feels that the island should be rightfully his because he was born there. He believes that Prospero charmed him in the beginning only to betray his trust in the end after he tells Prospero the secrets of the island.

What event led Prospero to start treating Caliban as his slave?

Caliban tried to rape Miranda.

Why is Gonzalo the only character who doesn't see and hear the speech given by Ariel in the form of a Harpy?

Gonzalo helped Prospero out in a time of need and stocked his raft with provisions when he was kicked out of Milan

What kind of society would Gonzalo like to create on the desert island? What is the reaction of his companions?

Gonzalo wants a utopia where there would be plenty of food and conveniences but nobody has to work. Everyone thinks this is impossible and Sebastian and Antonio make fun of it.

How does Ariel get the best of the low-life plotters?

He conjures some spirit-hounds to chase after Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban after distracting them with some fancy clothes.

What is Prospero's major admonition (chiding/warning) to Ferdinand and Miranda? Why is he so concerned about this?

He does not want them to have sex before marriage. He is protecting his daughter, making sure that she will become queen. She has never been in a relationship before so he doesn't want her to be taken advantage of.

Who is Ariel?

He is a indentured fairy servant.

How does Prospero know that everyone has survived the storm?

He is the one who ordered Ariel to conjure the storm and bring everyone safe and sound to the island.

What does Prospero plan to do with his magic when his plan is brought to completion?

He plans to retire his magic and give it up.

What makes Prospero interrupt the masque?

He suddenly remembers that Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban are on the way to kill him.

How does Caliban tend to use language and why?

He uses it to curse and insult others because he only knows the hateful words that Prospero and Miranda use towards him.

Motif: Indigenous People

Indigenous people have a right to the place where they dwell and should be respected.

Motif: Language

Language is used for communication within a civilized society and should not be used as mere insults and curses.

Motif: Revenge and Mercy

Mercy is more difficult to achieve than revenge, but it shows compassion.

Who taught Caliban to speak?

Miranda

How does Prospero feel about Sycorax?

Prospero despises and looks down on Sycorax, calling her a horrid hag.

How does Prospero treat Ferdinand in Act 2 Scene 1? Why? How is this treatment like and unlike the treatment of Caliban?

Prospero is treating Ferdinand like a slave in order to give him obstacles so he can better treasure his love for Miranda. Prospero's goal is to have Miranda become queen so Prospero is aware of Ferdinand's role as royalty whereas he treats Caliban like dirt.

Who is Miranda?

Prospero's daughter

What is Miranda's reaction to the tempest and the shipwreck?

She feels pity, compassion, and empathy for the people on the board.

What does Miranda mean by the phrase, "Brave new world?"

She finally meets an entire world that she is not aware of, a civilized society where people know language and honor (unlike the island).

Why does Miranda think that Ferdinand might be a "spirit"?

She has never seen a handsome young man before.

Motif: Ruler and Subject

Subjects will revolt against rulers who become too tyrannical or oppressive.

What role do the Harpies play against the royal entourage?

The Harpies, especially in Ariel's speech, punish Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio for kicking Prospero and Miranda out of Milan.

How do the sailors' reaction differ from the royalty's reaction towards the tempest in Act 1 Scene 1?

The sailors want to stabilize the ship, but the royal entourage keeps trying to tell them how to do their job.

What do Antonio and Sebastian want to do to Alonso and Gonzalo? Why?

They want to kill Alonso and Gonzalo so that Sebastian can become king of Naples.

What is Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban's plan?

They want to kill Prospero and take over the island.

How did Prospero and Miranda come to be on the island?

They were kicked out of Milan by Antonio when Prospero was obsessed with learning magic. Their raft, which held provisions from Gonzalo, took them to the island.

From what event were the royal entourage returning when they were shipwrecked? What is their attitude towards the event?

They were returning from the wedding of Claribel, who is Alonso's daughter, and an African king in Tunis. Sebastian blames this wedding for the reason they are shipwrecked because he is racist.

Motif: Love

True love must overcome obstacles, not mere love at first sight.

Motif: Utopia

Utopia is impossible, especially when there is no government.

Why isn't Venus invited to the wedding masque?

Venus is the goddess of love. Prospero wants Ferdinand and Miranda to focus on respect and honor instead.

What does tempest mean?

a big storm

What does Trinculo think Caliban is at first?

a fish monster

What does Stephano think Trinculo and Caliban together are at first?

a four legged, two-voiced monster

Who is Prospero?

ex-Duke of Milan, wizard-ruler of the island

What does Caliban think Trinculo is at first?

one of Prospero's spirits

Who is Caliban?

son of Sycorax and slave of Prospero