The Tempest: Act I Reading Guide 1. The play opens with a scene of confusion and distress. How does the title of the play hint at such a scene? How is the confusion in nature mirrored by the confusion among the passengers (i.e.: normal relationships are topsy turvey)? 2. Referring to 1.1 lines 24-28, in what way does“the rope of” the sailor’s “destiny serve as a “cable” or lifeline to the passengers? 3. Contrast the reactions of Antonio and Sebastian to that of Gonzalo during the opening scene. How does Shakespeare suggest the differences between these characters? 4. Miranda’s name comes from the Latin word Miari, which means “to wonder at or to admire.” How does this name choice suggest Miranda’s nature? (1.2 lines 1-10) 5. Prospero’s name comes from the Latin word meaning “favourable or fortunate.” As we hear about Prospero’s past, in what ways has Prospero’s life reinforced the meaning of his name? List as many as your group can think of. 6. In what ways is Miranda’s ignorance of her father’s past a necessity of the exposition (background knowledge) that Prospero provides to the audience? 7. The movement of props on stage often has symbolic meaning. Consider why Shakespeare has Prospero remove his “magic garment” (line 24) before telling Miranda about their past? 8. Why has Prospero hesitated to inform his daughter in the past of their history (1.1 lines 33-36) Why does he overcome his hesitation now? 9. One could argue that Miranda is the heart whereas Prospero is the mind. What evidence has there been up to this point that this is the case? 10. In many ways, Prospero is a flawed character. Explain fully. 11. During Prospero’s story, he is constantly checking to see that Miranda is paying attention (lines 67, 78, 87). These interruptions might reveal a kind of nervous testiness; if so, why does Prospero feel so nervous? 12. The theme of slavery versus liberty runs throughout the play, in what ways has the foundation of this theme already been laid in act 1? 13. Given his nature, how should Ariel speak and behave on stage? How might Shakespeare’s company have arranged a dramatic entrance for him? 14. Discuss the various foils that have emerged in this act. 15. Sycorax serves as an opposing mirror image of Prospero; explain. 16. Prospero calls Caliban (an anagram for the word, cannibal) “earth” (314). How does this contrast with the character of Ariel? How might Caliban speak and move on stage? 17. Caliban is blessed with a profound eloquence. Find examples in this act of his poetry and verbal word play. 18. Outline all the various strands of the betrayal and appropriation of power theme. 19. Referring to 365-370 as a starting point, do you think Prospero is disappointed that he was not able to educate Caliban? Support from the text. 20. Discuss all the reasons why Miranda might find Ferdinand so intriguing (lines 409-410). 21. Find evidence during the “courtship” or Miranda and Ferdinand that this meeting was a part of Prospero’s grand scheme. 22. Explain what Ferdinand means when he says that he is “the best of them that speak this speech.” (428). Consider the fact that Ferdinand assumes he has encountered the natives of this island and must explain to them who he is, where he comes from (Naples) and the language he speaks. Why might he think that he is the “best” of all the Neapolitan speakers? 23. What does Prospero mean in lines 439-440? 24. Referring to lines 458-460, discuss Miranda’s linking of outer and inner beauty? What does this reveal about her character? 25. What does Ferdinand’s resistance to Prospero’s unjust accusations (lines 466-468) reveal about this character? 26. What does Miranda’s response to her father’s caution about Ferdinand (lines 476-78) reveal about her nature? 2.2: Green Eggs and Ham 1. Green eggs and ham and Shakespeare. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Compare the above passage with a segment spoken by Trinculo or Stephano. How are they different? What could account for the difference? 2. questions: list as many examples of low comedy in this scene between Caliban and the two drunks. Why might Shakespeare have included such low brow comedy? 3. In what ways is Trinculo’s encounter with Caliban (lines 24-25) a parody of the encounter between Ferdinand and Miranda. You will have to refer back to the first act. 4. Compare Stephano’s song to Ariel’s “Full fathom five,” a song of eerie, inhuman beauty. 5. Stephano’s mistake in lines 60-65 reminds us of a serious theme: Who is more of a monster, a supposedly civilized man like Antonio, or the uncivilized, “natural” Caliban? 6. Who does Caliban believe Stephano to be? Why is this a reasonable interpretation, given Caliban’s experience? 7. How does Caliban’s reaction to Stephano and Trinculo parody Miranda’s reaction to Ferdinand? What does Caliban’s readiness to worship Stephano reveal about him? 8. If Caliban knew the popular legend about the man in the moon, why might he have felt an affinity with this figure? 9. What does Caliban’s enchantment with Stephano and Trinculo reveal about the theme of civilized versus uncivilized behaviour? 10.What is ironic about Caliban’s new found “freedom?”