Contrast, Chaos and Confusion The Tempest Contrast, Chaos and Confusion

Themes we will cover Power Man, the natural world and the supernatural world Reality Forgiveness and redemption Language

The Tempest - title Storms have symbolic significance In religions including Christianity Shakespeare uses storms to show emotional turmoil, often leading to transformation or change E.g. in King Lear the title character rants wildly during the storm but comes to see the error he has made The turmoil of the play followed by calm mirrors the storm

Opposites and Contradictions Good father (Prospero) and bad mother (Sycorax) Noble child, monstrous child White magic; black Ariel; Caliban

Ariel and Caliban Describe what these characters are like. Quote and refer to how they are treated by Prospero and how they react to him. Caliban 1.2.285-373 Ariel 1.2.187-304

Confusion and disorder The play is concerned with questions of power: Prospero has been deposed from his rightful position as Duke of Milan by his brother Antonio Ferdinand believes his father, Alonso, has drowned and he is King of Naples Sebastian and Antonio plot to kill the King of Naples, Alonso In the first scene the storm has upset the order of rank The Boatswain orders Gonzalo “if you can command these elements…use your authority” (22-24)

Act 1 Scene 1 Extremely effective dramatically On stage there is noise and frenzied activity The language is full of short shouts and orders And interrupted by “a confused noise” The Boatswain is ordering his superiors BOATSWAIN What cares these roarers for the name of king? When the sea is. Hence! To cabin! silence! trouble us not. (1.1.16-18)

Act 1 Scene 2 There is a huge contrast from the busy, realistic storm scene to a calm scene on the magical island Miranda mentions her father, Prospero’s “art” or magical power in the first line Prospero is in control, exerting his power

Ariel and Caliban Caliban – name derived from ‘cannibal’ Vengeful – “As wicked dew…Drop on you both” (1.2.321-323) Spiteful (1.2.347-350) Foolish and submissive (2.2.116) But also eloquent and sensitive: “the isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight” (3.2.131-139) Ariel- creature of the air Able “to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire, to ride on the curl’d clouds” (1.2.190-192) Mischievous But kind: “if you now beheld them, your affections would become tender…Mine would, sir, were I human” (5.1.18-20)

Prospero A bundle of contradictions Cruel to Caliban: “Thou poisonous slave...” (1.2.319) and Ferdinand: “I’ll manacle thy neck and feet together.” (1.2.462) Kind to Ariel: “My brave spirit!” (1.2.206) and loving to Miranda: “I have done nothing but in care of thee” (1.2.16)