The Tempest Act 3/4 Study Guide

3.3 How is food brought to Alonso and his followers? What happens when they try to eat? What message does Ariel give them? Who is watching?

A banquet appears, being carried by spirits of Prospero and they are welcoming and kind to them at first. When they try to each however, they vanish and then Ariel appears as a Harpy and tells Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso that they are men of sin and that the sea belched them up because they are so terrible and that they are unfit to live on this "uninhabited" island. He then curses them to make them go mad/insane. As they try to draw their swords, he also curses them to become heavy then says that he did this to them because they usurped Prospero and Miranda and now deserve terrible treatment. Then he vanishes and Prospero who was watching the entire ordeal says that the enemies are now distracted and in his power.

4.1 What happens in the show (masque) that Prospero presents for Ferdinand and Miranda? What is the subject of the show? Why is it appropriate?

A messenger of rainbows, Iris, appears and talks about Ceres, the goddess of the earth and all that she reigns over. Iris is a messenger of Juno, the queen of the sky, and bids leave these and with her sovereign grace, here on this grass-plot in this very place, to come and sport. Ceres appears and talks about Juno, then Iris explains that the reason for the meeting is to celebrate true love and marriage, just like Ferdinand and Miranda are experiencing. She asks if Venus and Cupid is there and they say that no because they tried to make Ferdinand and Miranda bed together before marriage, but they couple resisted. Then Juno appears, and they each give the couple their blessing. Then they call on nymphs and farmers to join.

4.1 According to Ariel, what has happened to Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo since we last saw them?

According to Ariel, they are drunk from drinking and now are experiencing extra courage because of their drunkenness. They tried to look for the music and are still set on their plan of killing Prospero but Ariel led them into a filthy pond that they are now standing in trapped.

3.3 According to Gonzalo, what has happened to Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio?

According to Gonzalo, he believes that they are desperate and that their guilt has built up over years and is finally affecting them. As Alonso wanders off to find the ocean and drown himself in it, and Sebastian and Antonio run off to fight invisible enemies. Gonzalo sends Adrian and Fransico off to save them.

3.1 What is Ferdinand doing at the beginning of the scene? How does it compare to the beginning of 2.2? Why is Ferdinand doing this, and how is his attitude different from Caliban's?

At the beginning of the scene, Ferdinand is carrying wood because Prospero ordered him to and is saying that although the task is painful it is worth it so that one day he might be able to marry Miranda. In 2.2 Caliban enters carrying wood but he is cursing Prospero and all of his spirits that he controls. Ferdinand is carrying wood because he knows that he needs to obey Prospero in hopes of being able to marry Miranda and she makes his task easier. Ferdinand's attitude is very different from Caliban's because he is accepting Prospero's task and trying to make the best of it while Caliban curses Prospero and is filled with hatred because of the task that he must commit.

3.2 What does Caliban want Stephano and Trinculo to do? How does Ariel confuse matters? What does Stephano agree to do?

Caliban wants Stephano and Trinculo to help him take away Prospero's books and then kill him while he is sleeping so that Caliban can have the island back and take Miranda as his own. Ariel confuses the situation by being invisible and speaking as Trinculo's voice in rude remarks to Caliban and Trinculo has no idea what is happening and the situation becomes confusing. Stephano agrees to kill Prospero and they go off to kill him, but Ariel distracts them again with music and they go to follow it.

4.1 How does Prospero respond to his successes?

He orders Ariel to take the spirits to make their bones ache, and give them muscle cramps, and says that the enemies are at his mercy now. He then tells Ariel that soon all of his work will be done and Ariel will be freed.

3.1 What happens in the scene between Ferdinand and Miranda? What is the effect of having Prospero watching them? How does he respond to them?

Miranda tells Ferdinand that she is distraught from the work he must do and that her father is studying so he can rest now and she will carry the pile. She then tells him her name and Ferdinand tells her that she possesses no faults then admits that he is a prince. Miranda is unconcerned and asks if he loves her and he says he does, then they have a handfasting ceremony and they get married! Prospero is watching the entire time from a distance and says that he is glad, but not as glad as the married couple is. He then goes on to say that he has a lot of work ahead of him.

3.3 Have Sebastian and Antonio learned their lesson from what happened in 2.1?

No, they have not learned their lesson, and continue with asides centered on killing Alonso and Gonzalo that night.

4.1 What has Prospero agreed to at the beginning of the scene? What warning does he give to Ferdinand and Miranda?

Prospero agrees to allow Ferdinand and Miranda to be married and that Miranda will outshine all praise. He warns them that if they take to bed together before they are married fully in sacredness, their lives will be poisoned with pain and terrible things will happen.

4.1 What instructions does Prospero have for Ariel?

Prospero instructs Ariel to bring in his other spirits and that he will display his powers to the couple through the show that he is going to put on with them. He gives Ariel power over those spirits so that they can come over.

4.1 What does Prospero tell Ariel to prepare for Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo? What is Prospero's reaction to what Caliban has done? Is his reaction justified?

Prospero tells Ariel to remain invisible and to take the fancy clothes that are in the house and put them out as bait for the three of them to stop them from killing Prospero. Prospero believes that Caliban is a borne devil and even though he tried to nuture him into kindness, it did not work. He says that he will torture them all with pain and his reaction is kind of justified since he did take the time to be kind to Caliban at first, even though he did steal away his island from him.

4.1 Why does Prospero cut short the show? How do Ferdinand and Miranda respond to what happens? How does Prospero explain the show and his actions?

The show is abruptly stopped and the spirits banish because Prospero remembers the plot against him by Caliban and knows what is about to happen. Ferdinand and Miranda believe that it is strange behavior to see in their dad, and are dismayed. Prospero explains that the spirits have melted into air and that we are the stuff that dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with sleep. He says that his old brain and troubled and that he is going to go rest and take a walk to calm himself.

4.1 What happens when Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo come to kill Prospero? How are they driven away?

When Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo come to kill Prospero, they are distracted by the fine clothing and want to wear and take it. However, Caliban tries to get them back on to their task, and tells them to put the clothes away for now. As Trinculo and Stephano go to take the clothes back to where the wine is hid and then spirits arrive in the shape of hounds and dogs and start to chase them away.