Act Two scene one – developing the political themes of the play

Shakespeare’s use of setting – lines How do the different characters describe the island? -Gonzalo -Adrian -Sebastian -Antonio? What might the alternative interpretations of the island mean? Don’t forget to consider whether the characters are speaking in prose or verse Why is this scene generally performed on an empty stage with little or no set or props? AO2 – close analysis of language

Claribel’s marriage – lines The party are sailing back from Tunis – Alonso’s daughter Claribel has been married off to the King of Tunis. - Which words and phrases suggest that Claribel has been married off against her will (or at least without any say in the matter?) -Can you see any parallels between Alonso and Prospero’s behaviour? Critic: Ann Thompson “What kind of pleasure can a woman and a feminist take in this text beyond the rather grim one of mapping out its various forms of exploitation?” Do you agree with this interpretation of the play? AO2 – analysis of structure AO1 – developing a critical argument

Richard Jacobs article Read the article carefully and highlight key points. Having read the article, what do you think Claribel’s main function in the play is?

Contextual detail King James I married his daughter Elizabeth to the Protestant Price Frederick of Bohemia in 1613 (slightly after the play was written) so dynastic alliances were still a common occurrence and perhaps an expectation of the older generation. Far from achieving the “brave new world” hoped for at the end of The Tempest, Elizabeth never came back to England. “I shall perhaps never see again the flower of prices, the king of fathers, the best and most amicable father, that the sun will ever see.” – Elizabeth of Bohemia BUT – what evidence is there that Shakespeare was not in favour of parents choosing partners for their children? (Hint: think back to your GCSE studies) AO3 - context

Gonzalo’s vision Gonzalo’s vision of a commonwealth is lifted almost word for word from Montaigne’s Of the Caniballes which challenged the view that European nations were civilised and people from the New World “savages” “It is a nation, would I answer Plato, that hath no kinde of traffike, no knowledge of Letters, no intelligence of numbers, no name of magistrate, nor of politike superioritie; no use of service, or riches or of povertie; no contracts, no successions, no partitions, no occupation but idle; no respect of kindred, no use of wine, corne, or mettle. The very words that import lying, falsehood, treason, dissimulations, covetousness, envie, detraction, and pardon, were never heard of amongst them. How dissonant would hee finde his imaginarie common-wealth from this perfection?” What prevents this kind of society from existing? How does the speech fit in with the motif of masters and servants that is at the centre of the plot?

Gonzalo’s speech – lines What does Gonzalo suggest are the barriers to happiness? What techniques does Shakespeare uses to suggest that this kind of society could not exist in real life? What is the role of Antonio and Sebastian in the scene? Do you think Gonzalo is intended to be a comic figure here? If not, how do you think Shakespeare wants the audience to react to him?

Recapping the Plot Recap your knowledge of the relationships in the play by drawing a quick family tree. Use the character list on page 162 to guide you. - what would Sebastian gain if Alonso died? - why is Claribel not a real issue here?

The theme of usurpation – lines Who has already been usurped in the play? How does Shakespeare show Prospero’s presence in the scene even though he is offstage?) How does Shakespeare show Antonio’s ability to flatter and manipulate? (e.g. look at lines 203-8) How does Shakespeare show Antonio’s lack of conscience? (e.g )

The end of the scene (lines 297 – end) What excuse does Sebastian make when he is found with sword raised? What does this suggest about him? The “hollow burst of bellowing” (311) is actually Ariel’s music. – What does this tell us about the men? – What does Gonzalo hear? – How does this echo the start of the scene? AO2 – language and structure

Key quotations Pair One: the setting of the island Pair Two: usurpation Pair Three: power Pair Four: arranged marriage Pair Five: greed

Homework Essay The Tempest is primarily a play about the lengths to which men will go to secure power for themselves. By exploring Shakespeare’s presentation of power, evaluate this view of The Tempest.