1. Act One scene two Key events:
Prospero tells Miranda how they came to the island
Ariel gives an account of the shipwreck – Prospero has kept everyone safe
Introduction of Caliban – he resents Prospero for taking his island. We learn that he was banished from Prospero’s cave for attempting to rape Miranda
Miranda and Ferdinand meet for the first time

2. Prospero’s story: lines 22 - 188
Which words and phrases does Shakespeare use to show the ways in which Prospero controls the narrative?
Which words and phrases tell us that this is a one-sided history?
How does Shakespeare use language to show Prospero’s rage?
Which words and phrases tells us that Miranda, at least to a certain extent, is afraid of her father?
Which words and phrases suggest that Miranda has a mind of her own?
AO2: Analysis

3. In summary
Write down 3 ways in which Shakespeare uses language, structure and form to reveal Prospero’s character at the beginning of Act 1 scene 1.

4. Research:
What is post-colonialism? What do post-colonial critics write about? How might post-colonialism be relevant to the play?

5. Ariel What do you know about Ariel as a character?
What do you think about how he feels towards Prospero?
How do you think Prospero feels towards Ariel?
Read lines 189 – 305. Which words and phrases are effective in portraying the above?

6. Prospero’s Power: lines 189 - 245
How does Shakespeare use Ariel to:
Reveal more of Prospero's power
Show Ariel’s fear of Prospero
Imply that Prospero’s plan is benign (gentle, kind, not aggressive)
Introduce the theme of renewal
Introduce Ariel’s resentment of Prospero
AO2 – analysis of language, form and structure

7. Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalysis
Suggests that the human character has more than one part.
The Id: the primitive and instinctive (i.e. impulsive/ unconscious) elements of personality
The Ego: initially 'that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world' (Freud 1923).
The superego: The superego's function is to control the id's impulses, especially those which society forbids, such as sexual desire and aggression. It also has the function of persuading the ego to turn to moralistic goals rather than simply realistic ones and to strive for perfection
Some critics think that Ariel and Caliban represent two sides of Prospero’s consciousness. In what ways might Ariel represent the superego?
AO5 – alternative interpretation

8. The dramatic importance of Sycorax (lines 246 – 380)
How does Prospero use the story of Sycorax to control Ariel?
What might Shakespeare be suggesting about history and storytelling here?
What structural and linguistic devices does Shakespeare use to show Prospero’s cruelty?
What other echoes can you find between Prospero and Sycorax’s stories? (you could even look at language patterning e.g. repetition of the word “howl”)?

9. Submission and rebellion
What do you notice about the balance between submission and rebellion in the scene?
What might Shakespeare be showing us about Prospero’s power?

10. Unity of time In lines 237-241, what do we learn about time?
How does Shakespeare use the Classic unity of time in the play?

11. Critic: Margreta da Grazia
“Not only are [Prospero and Sycorax’s] histories similar and their powers interchangeable, but both sorceress and magician are driven by the same passion – anger”
Do you agree with this interpretation of the play?
Homework: Write 1-2 paragraphs explaining your answer and using quotations to support your ideas.
AO5 – alternative interpretation

12. Caliban
Read lines 306 – 374
Can you identify any similarities between Prospero and Caliban?

13. The Enslaved Caliban (lines 306 – 330)
How does Shakespeare emphasise Caliban’s position as a slave?
How does Shakespeare introduce Caliban, Miranda and Prospero’s feelings towards one another?
How does Shakespeare show Caliban’s rebellious nature?
How does Prospero oppress Caliban?

14. Lines 331 - 374 What ideas do you have about Caliban’s use of verse?
Identify poetic imagery in Caliban’s speech. What does Shakespeare suggest about his ability to appreciate nature?
Does any other character show such reverence for the island?
Which line tells us that Caliban’s rage stems from Prospero? How does this reinforce the critical argument that he represents Prospero’s Id?
AO2 – language, structure and form
AO5 – alternative interpretations

15. AO1 – critical arguments
Line
Would’t; had been done;
Thou didst prevent me, I had peopled else
This isle with Calibans.
Can you identify any echoes between Caliban’s plan and Prospero’s here?
In what ways might Caliban represent Prospero’s Id?
AO2 – structure
AO1 – critical arguments

16. Post-colonial interpretations of Caliban
How might pre-20th century critics have used Caliban to justify colonialism?
How might 20th century critics use Caliban as a means of exploring Britain’s colonial history?
AO5 – alternative interpretation

17. How important is Caliban?
“Caliban, a poignant but cowardly (and murderous) half-human creature… has become an African-American Freedom Fighter. This is not even a weak misreading; anyone who arrives at that view is simply not interested in reading the play at all. Marxists, multiculturalists, feminists, nouveau historicists – the usual suspects – know their causes but not Shakespeare’s plays. - Harold Bloom Bloom also points out that Caliban only speaks about 100 lines in the whole play. Do you agree with Bloom’s view that post- colonial interpretations of the play are invalid?
AO5 – different interpretations

18. AO5 – critical arguments
… Furthermore
Critic David Linley argues that Caliban is not an indigenous native, but “rather a first-generation colonist himself. His enslavement by Prospero repeats his mother’s earlier imprisonment of Ariel, who might be considered the island’s “real” indigenous inhabitant.”
AO5 – critical arguments

19. Miranda’s speech: ‘Abhorred slave…..’
What does this suggest about Miranda?
In some editions, it is Prospero who says these lines. How does this change your perception of:
- Miranda
- Prospero
- Caliban?

20. Homework essay questions: Choose either
1. ‘A figure who manages to be almost simultaneously sinister and benevolent.’
Evaluate this view of Prospero in Act One of The Tempest.
3. ‘Shakespeare’s bold opening raises serious questions about leadership and authority.’ (Neil Bowen)
Using Bowen’s article ‘Conjuring up a Storm’ and any other critical resources that you have read, explore the ways in which leadership and authority and questioned in Act 1 of The Tempest.
This is a part b) question so you will be assessed on AO1 (argument, using quotations) and AO5 (considering a range of interpretations)