Tempest Essay Outline
1.
Pre-Writing: Write in the question or questions you are attempting to answer in your essay. You will
then spend 5-10 minutes writing without stopping in attempting to answer your questions without
referencing any other texts. Pay attention to what your instincts and your gut is telling you. Write fast and
make a lot of mistakes!
Question: To
what extent is Prospero’s “project” dependent on maintaining a position
of power over Caliban?
Answer: [Well, what do I know? ]
Question: To
what extent are Prospero and Miranda’s efforts to civilize Caliban a product of
the White Savior Complex?
Answer: [Write]
Question: To
what extent is Ariel’s mulatto identity a source of power in A Tempest?
Answer: [Write]
2. Examine your pre-writing. What patterns do you notice? What is an original claim you can make about the
characters’ desires in this play? Compare and contrast those desires with other characters. Does a theme,
or big idea, glue all your thoughts and ideas together?
Question: To
what extent is Prospero’s “project” dependent on maintaining a position
of power over Caliban?
THESIS STATEMENT:
In William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, ...
#1)To what extent is Prospero’s “project” dependent on maintaining a position of
power over Caliban?
#2) While Prospero’s “project” seems to be about revenge, and then about
marrying off his daughter, it is ultimately dependent on maintaining a position of
power over Ariel and Caliban, as well as forces beyond his grasp.
In Aime Cesaire’s play, A Tempest, ...
BODY PARAGRAPH #1: Shakespeare
CLAIM (Brief, general, statement of your argument in this paragraph):
At first, Prospero’s “project” seems to be about revenge.
CONTEXT (Which version of Tempest? What characters?):
In Act I, Scene 2, when Miranda is sat down for a long-winded speech by Prospero, he
reveals his main mission in life:
CONCRETE EVIDENCE #1 (can be a quote and/or paraphrase):
Act I, Scene 2: PROSPERO
Know thus far forth.
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star, whose influence
If now I court not but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop. (10)
COMMENTARY (Explanation of the parts of the text that is significant to focus on):
Here, Prospero notes that his “zenith,” which would be the climax of his life, “doth
depend upon” an “accident most strange.” And that “accident” is the passing of the
ships containing all of his enemies: Antonio and Alonso. Further, Prospero claims that if
he does not take advantage of this situation, and send Ariel to fabricate the shipwreck, his
“fortunes / Will ever after droop,” meaning he would be left with no other purpose in
life.
CONCRETE EVIDENCE #2 (can be a quote and/or paraphrase):
Later on in Act I, Scene 2, Prospero begs Ariel for details about the royal fleet, and Ariel
reports:
And are upon the Mediterranean flote,
Bound sadly home for Naples,
Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd
And his great person perish. (12)
COMMENTARY (Explanation of the parts of the text that is significant to focus on):
To this, Prospero responds: “Ariel, thy charge / Exactly is perform'd,” signalling that
one of his main goals was to send pain and despair into the hearts of the citizens of
Milan and Naples, who will believe the cruel hoax that their respective Duke and
King drowned.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (Explain how your concrete evidence in this paragraph connects to your thesis statement):
All in all, it seems that Prospero has found his revenge; his quest appears to be
ended by Act I. But wait! There’s more?! Here comes Ferdinand, King Alonso’s
son, and it seems Prospero has other “projects” afoot.
BODY PARAGRAPH #2
CLAIM (Brief, general, statement of your argument in this paragraph): By
the middle of the play,
Prospero’s “project” appears to be a complex plot to marry off his daughter and
restore his prestige.
CONTEXT (Which version of Tempest? What characters?):
CONCRETE EVIDENCE #1 (can be a quote and/or paraphrase):
COMMENTARY (Explanation of the parts of the text that is significant to focus on):
CONCRETE EVIDENCE #2 (can be a quote and/or paraphrase):
COMMENTARY (Explanation of the parts of the text that is significant to focus on):
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (Explain how your concrete evidence in this paragraph connects to your thesis statement):
BODY PARAGRAPH #3
CLAIM (Brief, general, statement of your argument in this paragraph): By
the end of the play, it is clear
that Prospero’s “project” is ultimately dependent on maintaining a position of
power over Ariel and Caliban, as well as forces beyond his grasp.
CONTEXT (Which version of Tempest? What characters?):
CONCRETE EVIDENCE #1 (can be a quote and/or paraphrase):
COMMENTARY (Explanation of the parts of the text that is significant to focus on):
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (Explain how your concrete evidence in this paragraph connects to your thesis statement):
CONCLUSION
TIPS/SUGGESTIONS: Situate your analysis back in the wider world of literature and in life. What does your analysis
of Shakespeare’s play and/or Cesaire’s play reveal to the reader about the world we live in, or wish to live in? Remind the
reader what major themes you have discussed in the context of these plays, and make a text-to-world, text-to-self, or
another text-to-text connection.
Copied & Pasted Thesis Statement: While Prospero’s “project” seems to be about revenge, and then about marrying
off his daughter, it is ultimately dependent on maintaining a position of power over Ariel and Caliban, as well as forces
beyond his grasp.
Throughout the Tempest, Prospero’s “project” seems to be a moving target: first
revenge, and then matrimony, and then forgiveness, and then a false hint at
freedom. When it’s revealed that Prospero is actually seeking his own
emancipation, over and above those of his servants and slaves, his true project is
unveiled. Whether Shakespeare intended it or not, he wrote a play that reflects the
“moving target” that is one’s life. We all seem to set goals, make promises, honor
rites of passage, break goals, rip up promises, and maybe not all in that order. But,
in the end, aren’t we all “slaves” to our own mortality? To our own legacy? Sure,
but there are those among us who can make room for others’ desires, too. Prospero
wants to exit the stage to thunderous applause; what he deserves is a tempestuous
slap in the face.