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EAL Nexus resource
The Tempest Act 5
Scene summary and epilogue
Subject:
Age range:
Topic:
English
12–14, 15–16
The Tempest
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2015
Source | This resource was originally developed by Val Asprey for Wolverhampton local authority and
has been adapted by EAL Nexus. Images are from Self-Made Hero’s Manga Shakespeare series.
The Tempest Act 5:
Scene summary and epilogue
Scene 1
Outside Prospero’s cell
As instructed by Prospero, Ariel has imprisoned Alonso, Antonio,
Sebastian and Gonzalo in a grove. Prospero now tells Ariel that he
will do a few more tasks and then he will have his freedom.
First, Ariel is to bring the imprisoned men to Prospero. Then, he will get
the clothes that Prospero used to wear when he was the Duke of
Milan, for him to change into. Next, Ariel will fetch the crew from the
wrecked ship. After that, he will collect Caliban, Stephano and
Trinculo.
Prospero praises Gonzalo for his loyalty and then releases the three
men from Ariel’s spell. He regains his Dukedom and forgives Alonso
and Antonio for their treachery.
Alonso is filled with grief because Ferdinand is still missing. Prospero
says his daughter is also missing during the tempest. He then draws a
curtain aside to reveal Ferdinand and Miranda playing a game of
chess. Alonso is overjoyed at the sight of his son and his future
daughter-in-law. He asks Miranda for forgiveness for his part in the
event 12 years ago.
When Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo arrive, Prospero orders them
to clean the clothes that they stole and his cell, in preparation for
that evening’s celebration. He then tells the others that they will all
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leave the following morning to go to Naples. Ferdinand and Miranda
will be married there. After the wedding, Prospero will return to Milan.
The last task Ariel has to perform before he finally gains his freedom is
to ensure that the sea is calm when the party leaves for Naples.
Key words or phrases with pictures
a game of chess
a curtain
a grove (with imprisoned men)
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
a few more tasks
to be used to
to fetch
to collect
to praise
his loyalty
to release
his spell
©British Council 2015
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
to regain
their treachery
to grieve
to draw aside
to reveal
to be overjoyed
to prepare
to perform
to ensure
the sea is calm
Epilogue
The following morning before the party leaves the island, Prospero
throws his magic books into the sea. He asks the audience to forgive
him, by applauding him, for the way he treated Caliban and Ariel.
He goes on to say that the audience’s own wrongdoings will also be
forgiven by the sound of clapping.
©British Council 2015
Key words or phrases with pictures
his magic books
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
the audience
to leave
to throw
the sea
to applaud / to
clap
clapping your hands to show
approval
©British Council 2015