The Tempest: Study Questions Flashcards
Q: What important themes are established in the first scene?
A: Themes of power, chaos vs. order, nature vs. civilization, and social hierarchy are introduced. The storm disrupts societal roles, foreshadowing the play’s focus on authority, justice, and transformation.
Q: What does the storm symbolize?
A: The storm symbolizes divine justice, Prospero’s power, and the disruption of established order. It represents both destruction and renewal, initiating the events that lead to reconciliation and redemption.
Q: In what respects is Prospero like Faustus? In what respects is he different?
A: Like Faustus, Prospero is a scholar who wields supernatural power through knowledge. However, unlike Faustus, Prospero seeks enlightenment and ultimately relinquishes his magic, choosing forgiveness over destruction.
Q: What values does Miranda represent?
A: Miranda embodies innocence, compassion, and natural goodness. She represents the Renaissance ideal of virtue and purity, contrasting with the corrupt world of politics and ambition.
Q: What is the relationship of Caliban and Ariel to Prospero?
A: Caliban is Prospero’s rebellious servant, representing nature and resistance to colonization, while Ariel is his loyal spirit helper, symbolizing air, freedom, and divine justice. Both reflect different aspects of power and servitude.
Q: How does the comic subplot comment on the main plot?
A: The subplot, featuring Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban’s drunken rebellion, parodies Prospero’s rule. It mocks human ambition and power struggles, reinforcing the themes of illusion, hierarchy, and folly.
Q: What is the significance of the island?
A: The island serves as a microcosm of the world, a space for transformation, exile, and renewal. It represents both a utopian possibility and a site of power struggles, reflecting themes of control, nature, and redemption.
