The Tempest Unit Overview
About Shakespeare: Born: Stratford-upon-Avon, April 23, 1564 Died: Stratford-upon-Avon, April 23, 1616 Married Anne Hathaway (26) when he was 18 in 1582 Children- Susannah, Hamnet and Judith Total plays written- 37
What the play is about: In The Tempest, a sorcerer Prospero and his daughter Miranda are living on an island. Prospero was the rightful duke of Milan, but his brother Antonio exiled him and took over. Antonio, his son Ferdinand, and his men are out at sea near the island, when Prospero (for revenge) creates a violent storm that shipwrecks the crew on the island and hides the boat with magic. With the aid and comedy of 2 drunk servants, the spirit servant Ariel and the monstrous fish/man Caliban, Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love, Prospero regains his position as Duke, and everyone (essentially) lives happily ever after. Sort of.
Themes to be explored: Revenge or Mercy Mostly between Prospero and his brother Antonio (who is the rightful Duke?) Relationships between rulers and subjects Prospero has two magical servants (Ariel, described as a spirit, and Caliban, a monstrous slave who was a native of the island) and treats them differently Love (at first sight?) The debatable notion that Miranda and Ferdinand don’t know anything about each other, and yet their love is so strong and pure that it helps resolve conflicts in the play?
It’s the final countdown: Tempest Unit Overview Participation Grade- based on classwork assignments and the number of times you read Act Questions- due at the end of each act, will count as HW grade for the unit In-class writing/responses: based on thematic elements and character relationships Tempest Quest- final quiz/test based on plot, given at the end of the play (use Act Questions and Class notes as study guides- this is not open notes) Final Project- choose between one of four options
Characters: