Act Three scene two

Exploitation and Violence – Lines How does Shakespeare show that Caliban is already being exploited? (e.g. lines 1 – 8, 38-9) In what ways does Stephano and Trinculo’s language towards Caliban mirror Prospero’s treatment of Caliban and Ariel (look at Act One scene two e.g ) Does this make it easier or harder to sympathise with Caliban? How does Shakespeare emphasise the brutality of all three characters? (e.g. lines 32 – 35)

How are Caliban’s two longer speeches in this scene used to bring out the two sides to his character? Lines Extension: find other examples of Caliban’s curses and use of violent language in the scene What is the impact of Caliban’s use of verse in the scene? AO2 – language, structure and form AO5 – alternative interpretations

What does the scene show about: Caliban’s view of civilisation? Caliban’s understanding of Prospero? Extension Can you think of any parallels between Caliban and Gonzalo’s speech about his Commonwealth? ( – 168) Are there any differences between Caliban’s aspirations and Gonzalo’s? Further extension: Can you think of any parallels between Caliban and Miranda? AO2 - structure

Caliban: on the edge of humanity Read the critical essay Caliban: on the edge of humanity - What light does this shed on the presentation of Caliban in the play?

Alcohol as a symbol What parallels can you find between alcohol and Prospero’s magic? A note on names: Trinculo comes from the Italian word trincare (to drink greedily) and Stefano may, in this instance, derive from stefano – a slang word for belly. What aspects of human nature might Stefano and Trinculo represent?

Key quotations thus far (whole play) Pair one – violence and brutality Pair two – Prospero’s absolute power Pair three – hope for the future Pair four – base and low behaviour Pair five - nature