The Tempest – William Shakespeare
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Overview and Context
- The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare.
- It is a set text for IGCSE Literature in English (0475).
- The play is studied as drama and may appear in Paper 2 Section A (Drama) or Component 3 (Coursework).
- In Paper 2, candidates answer one passage-based and one essay question on each set text.
- In Component 3, candidates write a comparative essay on two complete texts, one of which must be drama.
- The play explores themes of loss and restoration, power, magic and illusion, and colonization.
Loss and Restoration
- Prospero's attempt to recover his lost dukedom of Milan drives the plot.
- Ariel lost his freedom to Sycorax and now serves Prospero.
- Caliban considers himself the rightful ruler of the island but was overthrown and enslaved by Prospero.
- By creating the tempest that shipwrecks Alonso and his courtiers, Prospero strips them of their position and power.
- The theme of loss and restoration is central to the play's structure and character development.
Power
- From the opening storm, when courtiers must take orders from sailors, the play examines questions about power.
- Key questions include: Who has power? Who is entitled to it? What is responsible exercise of power? How should power be transferred?
- The play is full of examples of power taken by force.
- Prospero's magic gives him total control over events on the island.
- Caliban and Ariel both experience loss of freedom and serve Prospero, illustrating power dynamics.
Magic, Illusion, and Prospero as Playwright
- The play begins with Prospero's magic (the tempest) and ends with his magic (commanding Ariel to ensure safe return).
- Prospero uses visual and aural illusions to manipulate his enemies and expose their true selves.
- At nearly every point, Prospero's magic gives him total control—he always seems to know what will happen next.
- Prospero can be seen as a playwright figure, orchestrating events and illusions.
- Ariel performs magical tasks, such as the song 'Full fathom five thy father lies'.
Colonization
- When the play was written and first performed, Shakespeare and his audiences were interested in European colonization efforts.
- The play explores the relationship between the European colonizer and the native colonized peoples through Prospero and Caliban.
- Prospero views Caliban as a lesser being than himself.
- Caliban says, 'You taught me language, and my profit on ’t / Is, I know how to curse.'
- Prospero calls Caliban 'Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself / Upon thy wicked dam'.
Key Characters
- Prospero: the rightful Duke of Milan, a magician, and father to Miranda.
- Miranda: Prospero's daughter, who exclaims, 'O brave new world / That has such people in ’t!'
- Ariel: an airy spirit who serves Prospero and performs magic.
- Caliban: the native inhabitant of the island, enslaved by Prospero.
- Ferdinand: the King's son, who leaps from the burning ship.
- Alonso: the King of Naples, shipwrecked on the island.
- Stephano and Trinculo: comic characters who interact with Caliban.
Key Quotations
- Caliban: 'Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, / Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.'
- Ariel (song): 'Full fathom five thy father lies. / Of his bones are coral made.'
- Prospero: 'We are such stuff / As dreams are made on, and our little life / Is rounded with a sleep.'
- Prospero: 'But this rough magic / I here abjure... I'll break my staff, / Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, / And deeper than did ever plummet sound / I'll drown my book.'
- Miranda: 'O, wonder! / How many goodly creatures are there here! / How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world / That has such people in ’t!'
- Prospero: 'This thing of darkness I / Acknowledge mine.'
- Caliban: 'You taught me language, and my profit on ’t / Is, I know how to curse.'
Exam Preparation
- In Paper 2 Section A, you will answer one question from a choice of two on The Tempest: one passage-based and one essay question.
- The exam is open text: you may take a copy of the play into the exam.
- You may use highlighting, underlining, or brief handwritten notes to navigate the text.
- Sticky notes are not allowed, and there should be no other separate pieces of paper in the set text.
- Questions test all four Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO4) holistically.
- AO1: detailed knowledge of content, supported by reference to the text.
- AO2: understanding of meanings and contexts, exploring beyond surface meanings.
- AO3: analysis of language, structure, and form.
- AO4: sensitive and informed personal response.
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1.In The Tempest, who is the first man to leap from the burning ship during the storm?
Easy- AFerdinand
- BAlonso
- CAntonio
- DStephano
2.In The Tempest, which character says 'You taught me language, and my profit on 't / Is, I know how to curse'?
Medium- ACaliban
- BAriel
- CTrinculo
- DProspero
3.In The Tempest, who sings the song beginning 'Full fathom five thy father lies. / Of his bones are coral made'?
Medium- AAriel
- BMiranda
- CCaliban
- DProspero
4.In The Tempest, which character says 'The isle is full of noises, / Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not'?
Medium- ACaliban
- BAriel
- CStephano
- DTrinculo
5.In The Tempest, Prospero says 'We are such stuff / As dreams are made on, and our little life / Is rounded with a sleep.' What is he speaking about in this moment?
Medium- AThe dissolving of the world's grand structures, including the great globe itself
- BHis plan to break his staff and drown his book
- CCaliban's plot to take his life
- DAriel's longing to be free from service
6.In The Tempest, Prospero says 'But this rough magic / I here abjure' and promises to 'break my staff' and 'drown my book.' Which theme does this moment most directly develop?
Medium- AMagic, illusion, and Prospero as playwright
- BColonization and the colonizer's view of native peoples
- CLoss and restoration of the dukedom
- DPower taken by force during the storm
7.In The Tempest, Miranda says 'O brave new world / That has such people in 't!' and Prospero replies ''Tis new to thee.' What does Prospero's reply reveal?
Medium- AHe knows the people she admires are not as innocent as she believes
- BHe is angry that she has spoken to strangers
- CHe has never seen the courtiers before either
- DHe wants Miranda to marry Ferdinand immediately
8.In The Tempest, Prospero describes Caliban as 'this thing of darkness I / Acknowledge mine.' What does this line show about their relationship?
Medium- AProspero accepts responsibility for Caliban while still treating him as less than human
- BProspero plans to set Caliban free on the island
- CCaliban has become Prospero's equal
- DProspero denies knowing Caliban at all
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