M13 Reading Assignment and Reading Guide

Read the following pages in The Tempest, which is available as a pdf in Module 12. Answer the questions below as you read. The Tempest Acts II and III At the start of Act II Scene 1, Gonzalo tries to comfort Alonso while Sebastian and Antonio make wisecracks to one another. Why is Alonso in need of comfort? What does he think has happened? How does Sebastian speak to Alonso regarding Alonso's supposed loss? How does Ariel put most of the men to sleep? Who remains awake? What is Antonio suggesting when he says to Sebastian, "My strong imagination sees a crown Dropping upon thy head"? Why do you think Sebastian seems to pretend that he thinks Antonio is talking in his sleep? What advantage is given by pretending that Antonio is talking in his sleep? If Ferdinand is drowned, who does Antonio argue would succeed Alonso if Alonso were to die? What is Sebastian suggesting when he says, "I remember You did supplant your brother Prospero"? When Sebastian asks Antonio about his conscience, what does Antonio say? What does Antonio mean when he says, "If he were that which now he's like, that's dead (Whom I, with this obedient steel, three inches of it, Can lay to bed forever)"? Why do you think Antonio wants Sebastian to kill Gonzalo? What does Sebastian say Antonio will gain if Sebastian becomes king? Who awakens Alonso? Act II Scene 2 is a scene of drunken, bawdy humor. This type of scene shows the lower classes parodying the upper classes. While The Tempest is primarily a tragedy and a comedy, it also employs elements of farce in the scenes involving these characters. We will not overly concern ourselves with this scene, but you should read it and pay attention to the humor found in the lower classes arguing about how they will now be royalty on this island, and Caliban will be their subject. The theme of the desire for power being developed between Antonio and Sebastian is parodied by Stephano and Trinculo. As you read Act III Scene 1, consider the parallel Shakespeare is making between love and slavery. Does love truly have the power to enslave a person? Act III Scene 1 begins with Ferdinand doing what work? Who normally does this work for Prospero? What do you think the audience would have thought of a prince doing such work? What does Ferdinand mean when he says he "would no more endure This wooden slavery than to suffer the flesh-fly blow my mouth"? Notice the word play in calling his work "wooden slavery." Why does Miranda weep when Ferdinand says he loves her? What does Miranda mean when she says, "To be your fellow You may deny me, but I'll be your servant Whether you will or no"? When Ferdinand says he will be her husband "with a heart as willing As bondage ere of freedom," what does the note say he means? In Act III Scene 2, we see Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban continuing their drunken hijinks. What does Caliban want Stephano to do to Prospero? What does Caliban say Stephano must "seize" first in order to do it? What does Caliban say Stephano will have if he does it? How does this relate to Caliban's earlier attempted crime? What position does Stephano say he will occupy on the island? Notice how this scene continues the parody of the lower classes imitating their superiors. In Act III Scene 3, what do "strange shapes" set before Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, and the others? Given the fact that they were shipwrecked this morning and seem not to have had anything to eat or drink, how do you think this appears to them? Before the men can eat, in what form does Ariel appear before them on the table? What does the note say this figure represents? What does Ariel tell them is her "business" to them? What does she make them remember? What does she say "The powers" have done in return to Alonso? What does Ariel tell the men will now happen to them? What must they do to avoid this punishment? Hint--read the notes for clarification of this difficult speech! What does Alonso say is "monstrous"? What was Alonso's "trespass," and what does he think has happened as a result of his trespass?