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?”