Tempest

Question 1

Who is the protagonist of the play?

Answer 1

Prospero

Prospero is the father of Miranda and was the duke of Milan before being usurped.

Question 2

What happened to Prospero twelve years before the events of the play?

Answer 2

He was usurped by his brother Antonio and Alonso, king of Naples.

Prospero fled with his daughter Miranda, aided by Gonzalo.

Question 3

Who is Miranda?

Answer 3

The daughter of Prospero

Miranda has never seen men other than her father and Caliban.

Question 4

What are Miranda’s key characteristics?

Answer 4

Naïve, compassionate, generous, loyal

Miranda’s perceptions are shaped by her isolation on the island.

Question 5

Who is Ariel?

Answer 5

Prospero’s spirit helper

Ariel is ambiguous in gender and form and was rescued from Sycorax.

Question 6

What abilities does Ariel possess?

Answer 6

Mischievous, able to traverse the island instantly, can change shapes

Ariel is bound to serve Prospero until he is released.

Question 7

Who is Caliban?

Answer 7

Another of Prospero’s servants

Caliban believes the island rightfully belongs to him.

Question 8

What is Caliban’s relationship with the island?

Answer 8

He believes it was stolen from him by Prospero.

Caliban has a mix of coarse and eloquent speech.

Question 9

Who is Ferdinand?

Answer 9

Son and heir of Alonso

Ferdinand falls in love with Miranda at first sight.

Question 10

What does Ferdinand do to win Prospero’s approval?

Answer 10

He submits to servitude.

This shows his purity and naivety.

Question 11

Who is Alonso?

Answer 11

King of Naples and father of Ferdinand

He aided in usurping Prospero and regrets his actions during the play.

Question 12

What does Alonso blame for his decision to marry his daughter?

Answer 12

The apparent death of his son.

This reflects his guilt over the past actions.

Question 13

Who is Antonio?

Answer 13

Prospero’s brother

Antonio is power-hungry and foolish.

Question 14

What does Antonio persuade Sebastian to do?

Answer 14

Kill the sleeping Alonso.

This shows his manipulative nature.

Question 15

Who is Sebastian?

Answer 15

Alonso’s brother

He is aggressive and cowardly, easily persuaded by Antonio.

Question 16

Who is Gonzalo?

Answer 16

An old, honest lord

Gonzalo helped Prospero and Miranda escape after the usurpation.

Question 17

What role does Gonzalo serve in the play?

Answer 17

He provides important commentary on events.

His speeches reflect on the beauty of the island and the miracle of reconciliation.

Question 18

Who are Stephano and Trinculo?

Answer 18

A drunken butler and a jester

They provide comic relief and contrast to the noble characters.

Question 19

What is the Boatswain’s demeanor?

Answer 19

Good-natured and competent

He appears only in the first and last scenes of the play.

Question 20

Who is Sycorax?

Answer 20

Caliban’s mother and a powerful witch

She dies before the events of the play and never appears in the text.

Question 21

Who is Ceres?

Answer 21

A goddess of agriculture and fertility

She is summoned during the masque celebrating Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage.

Question 22

Who is Iris?

Answer 22

The goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods

She bridges the gap between the mortal and magical worlds.

Question 23

Who is Juno?

Answer 23

The queen of the gods and goddess of marriage

Her blessing symbolizes the union between Miranda and Ferdinand.

Question 24

Who is Adrian?

Answer 24

One of the lords shipwrecked on Prospero’s island

He is cheerful and loyal to his superiors.

Question 25

Who is Francisco?

Answer 25

One of the lords shipwrecked on Prospero’s island ## Footnote He comforts Alonso about Ferdinand's fate.

Question 26

What is the central act of injustice in The Tempest?

Answer 26

The usurpation of Prospero’s throne by his brother ## Footnote This act sets the stage for Prospero's quest for justice.

Question 27

How does Prospero's view of justice appear in The Tempest?

Answer 27

Highly subjective and hypocritical ## Footnote Prospero's sense of justice is primarily concerned with his own interests.

Question 28

What moral ambiguity is presented in The Tempest?

Answer 28

There is no higher order of justice to supersede Prospero’s interpretation ## Footnote This ambiguity contributes to the play's overall moral complexity.

Question 29

How does Prospero's role mirror that of an author?

Answer 29

He creates a story and imposes his idea of justice upon events ## Footnote This reflects Shakespeare's own role as a playwright.

Question 30

What does Prospero do at the end of The Tempest?

Answer 30

He forgives his enemies, releases his slaves, and relinquishes his magic power ## Footnote This signifies a transformation and a return to simplicity.

Question 31

What contradiction exists in Miranda and Prospero's view of Caliban?

Answer 31

They see him as both brutish and deserving of human care ## Footnote This reflects the complexity of Caliban's character.

Question 32

What does the character Trinculo say about Caliban?

Answer 32

He could be shown off for money, blurring the line between men and monsters ## Footnote This comment reflects societal attitudes towards exploitation.

Question 33

What themes does Gonzalo's utopian vision represent?

Answer 33

The allure of ruling a colony and the potential for freedom ## Footnote This vision is challenged by the realities of power dynamics.

Question 34

How does Caliban's desire for power manifest in The Tempest?

Answer 34

He plots to kill Prospero to regain control of the island ## Footnote This reflects the complexity of colonial relationships.

Question 35

What do Prospero's threats reveal about his character?

Answer 35

They demonstrate his innate violence and cruelty ## Footnote His threats often involve magic and serve to control others.

Question 36

What is the significance of obedience and disobedience in the play?

Answer 36

They underscore the island’s hierarchy of power ## Footnote Prospero's authority is challenged by his subjects in various ways.

Question 37

What is the first instance of treason in The Tempest?

Answer 37

Antonio's conspiracy with King Alonso to assassinate Prospero ## Footnote This act sets the stage for ongoing themes of betrayal.

Question 38

What does Miranda's name symbolize?

Answer 38

Wonder and admiration ## Footnote This reflects her optimistic view of the future amidst negative themes.

Question 39

How does the theme of monstrosity contrast with wonder in The Tempest?

Answer 39

Monstrosity applies to Caliban, while wonder applies to Miranda ## Footnote This contrast highlights the dual nature of perception in the play.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: Prospero's threats often contain elements of _______.

Answer 40

[magic]

Question 41

True or False: Prospero's threats are only directed at his enemies.

Answer 41

False ## Footnote He also threatens his servants, showing his controlling nature.

Question 42

What does the play suggest about the nature of morality in art?

Answer 42

It suggests that morality can be shaped by the artist's imagination ## Footnote This is exemplified by the happy ending crafted by Prospero.

Question 43

What does the play primarily explore regarding master-servant relationships?

Answer 43

The dynamic between a figure that possesses power and a figure that is subject to that power.

Question 44

In the opening scene, how does the Boatswain interact with the noblemen?

Answer 44

Dismissive and angry toward his masters due to their ineptitude.

Question 45

Name two contrasting relationships explored in the play.

Answer 45

* Prospero and Ariel * Prospero and Caliban

Question 46

What psychological aspect does the play examine in power relationships?

Answer 46

The dynamics of power relationships from various contrasting angles.

Question 47

What recurring motif is highlighted throughout the play?

Answer 47

Water and drowning.

Question 48

How does Miranda react to the sailors in the wild waters?

Answer 48

She weeps for their lives.

Question 49

What significant decision does Alonso make in Act III, scene iii?

Answer 49

He decides to drown himself.

Question 50

What does Prospero vow to do once reconciled with his enemies?

Answer 50

Drown his book.

Question 51

Fill in the blank: The water motif heightens the symbolic importance of the _______.

Answer 51

[tempest]

Question 52

What does Caliban say about the island?

Answer 52

It is full of noises.

Question 53

What type of noise begins the play?

Answer 53

A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning.

Question 54

Who leads Ferdinand to Miranda?

Answer 54

Ariel through music.

Question 55

What effect does Ariel's music have in the play?

Answer 55

It wakes Gonzalo and creates significant moments.

Question 56

What is the magical banquet accompanied by in Act III, scene iii?

Answer 56

Solemn and strange music.

Question 57

How does Shakespeare create a magical atmosphere in The Tempest?

Answer 57

Through dreamlike events and music.

Question 58

What does Caliban's speech about noises emphasize?

Answer 58

The significance of the magical sounds on the island.