THE TEMPEST – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Amir Hashemi Pour

THE TEMPEST Human condition & Personal Growth

Topic sentences: 1. Our ability to discovery ourselves and the world around us may change as we mature and

gain personal wisdom.

2. The aging process allows individuals to gain new perspectives on situations and events as

values change.

3. Traumatic situations can lead the individual to discover hidden personal strengths and

resources they may never have realised they have possessed.

Prospero/Miranda/Ferdinand: ● One aspect of self-discovery is Prospero’s discovery of hidden humanity and his ability to

forgive

● As the play progresses, Prospero undergoes a gradual transformation initiated by various

events, eventually coming to discover his morality and rediscovering his humanity

● Self-discovery and character growth with Alonso who is most affected by Prospero’s plan

for the men to learn a lesson and repent

● Quote Technique Effect

‘I will play them all, even to

roaring’ ~ Prospero Metaphor,

intense

imagery

Prospero creates the tempest due to his malignant nature

and his desire for vengeance and inflict torture against

people who have wronged him. This quote demonstrates

that he is mentally committed to his process and he will

roar through disease, pain and torment.

“oh how oddly it sounds that I

must ask my child for

forgiveness”

Dialogue The new world has potential for life-giving, metaphorically

shown in the blossoming of love between Ferdinand and

Miranda. This blossoming of love allows for Alonso’s

re-evaluation of his sovereign title as king and the renewal

in perception of priorities, so Alonso begs for forgiveness

for his son Ferdinand

“you brother mine expels…” Dialogue Prospero praises and weeps with Gonzalo is an example of

his emotional growth

“my charms I’ll break, their

sense I’ll restore and they shall

be themselves” (Act 5 scene 1

line 27)

Metaphor self-discovery turning point which creates an image of

restoration of order and regeneration, the relinquishing of

power

“I do forgive thee unnaturally

though thou art” (Act 5 scene 1

line 180)

Kind,

forgiving tone

of voice

Prospero shows his forgiveness despite their betrayal and

wrong-doing.

“If you now beheld them now,

your affections will become

tender” (act 5 scene 1 line 17)

Metaphor Depicts Ariel’s opinion that can be considered as the

turning point for Prospero’s realisation causing him to

question his actions

I thus neglecting worldly ends Dialogue Emphasises his movement from being angry and bitter to

a moment of self-reflection

This rough magic i abjure dialogue Prospero recognises his power over himself as a human

being and reclaims his own sense of responsibility

Most wicked sir, whom to call

brother would even infect my

mouth, i do forgive thy rankest

fault

Disease

Imagery Restoration of the play as it underlines the moment where

Prospero rediscovers humanity and learnt the values of

forgiveness and to overcome his desire to seek revenge

My library/was dukedom large

enough Couplet Demonstrating that through Prospero’s political downfall,

he was able to discover the value of wisdom and

knowledge as more potent tools of personal agency than

political rank

For what strength I have my

own Symbolism Symbolises his rediscovery of the human Prospero he left

behind initially

Rediscovery________________________ Rediscovery can allow individuals to rationalise past experiences and reassess their

perceptions, leading to reconciliation.

Rediscovery can be prompted by other’s perceptions of an individual.

→ Ariel is Prospero’s prompt for Prospero’s rediscovery

Quote Technique Link to Discovery

“And mine shall” A5S1

Short diction Represents the point of rediscovery where Prospero

decides to let go of his revengeful nature and move toward

reconciliation

their rising senses

Begin to chase the ignorant

fumes

Metaphor The sensory metaphor represents how rediscovery can

restore clarity to an individual and allow them to move

forward to reconciliation.

Would even infect my mouth,

I do forgive

The rankest fault - all of them

-

Disease

imagery

This marks the restoration of the play, and implies that

through the rediscovery of his humanity, Prospero heals

himself.

Second life Motif of birth Demonstrates how rediscovery offers the chance of a new

life and the reshaping of identity for an individual

Circle motif Full turn of circle of discovery brings Prospero back to his

humanity (rediscovery)

“My charms I'll break, their

senses I'll restore, and they

shall be themselves.” A5S1

Metaphor Creates an image of restoration, order and regeneration

See Caliban and his

companions

free; Untie the spell

Freedom motif Caliban’s freedom parallels Prospero’s freedom from his

revengeful nature, each of which represents the

importance of rediscovery in reshaping human experience

Brim full of sorrow and

dismay

Accumulation

of unhappy

words

Ariel becomes the prompt for Prospero’s rediscovery

through the insinuation that his lack of humanity has led

to human

suffering

The rarer action is in virtue

than in vengeance

Binary

opposites

Implies that the difference between human and animal is

the ability to reason, which leads to the rediscovery of his

humanity and ability to forgive

Mine would sir, were I

human.

Emotional

tone and

personal

pronoun in the

dialogue

This implies the dehumanisation of Prospero by creating

the notion that Ariel, as a spirit rather than human, has

greater human qualities than Prospero. This prompts him

to rediscover his humanity

Political opinions ___________________

Political discoveries-Sebastian, Gonzalo, Prospero, Alonso, Trinculo, Stephano

Shakespeare explores the notion that the gain in political power leads to personal

discoveries which allow individuals to better understand themselves.

Thesis statements:

1. Discoveries can be both constructive and destructive

● While Prospero’s political power has dwindled significantly since his exile and

usurpation, it has allowed him to enrich and discover his intellectual abilities.

2. Political power results in self-discoveries for individuals which impact meaningfully

upon their understanding of themselves.

3. The discovery of one's political influence significantly impacts their own understanding

of themselves and their abilities, especially when placed in difficult situations.

● Shakespeare effectively explores this notion through Prospero’s realisation of his

lack of political influence upon being usurped and exiled to an isolated island.

His exile, however, allowed him to invest in the discovery and understanding of

his own power and intellect and thus neglecting his responsibilities as the Duke

of Milan.

4. Political discovery may create new understandings of the dangers of leadership.

● Prospero as ruler of the island, discovers his significant political power over

other characters. Responsibility / talk about resp as duke of milan neglected

● Dangers of leadership Antonio plotting to kill the king of naples because of his

high ambitious nature.

● Power is seldom satisfactory.

Definition: Political dis - the Eurocentric attitudes established in Shakespeare's play The

Tempest highlights aspects of political discovery which reveal the corrupt nature of modern

political regimes.

Quote Technique Link to PD

The tempest itself

“Nay, good, be patient./

When the sea is”

Metaphor,

allusion,

foreshadowing

The storm is both political and natural

Reinforces the notion at hierarchy on the ship and in their

society

Alludes /foreshadows Prospero's’ patience in watering for

his vengeance.

“By foul play, as thou say’st,

were we heaved thence. But

blessed holp hither”

Dialogue

The political intrigue is evident through the notion of

responsibility and kingship which were subdued due to his

interest of intellectual discovery.

“What cares these roarers for

the name of king?

Rhetorical

question

allusion

Alluded to the power of nature: it is more powerful than

man and politics

Boatswain “Keep your cabins.

You do assist the storm”

“”

Discovery of the lesser importance of politics when faced

with a dangerous situations

Prospero:

“To what tune pleased his

ear” (ref Antonio)

Musical

metaphor

Demonstrates Antoni’s political intrigue which leads him

to perfect the power to govern others

-Antonio discovers the power one has over society through

politics, kingship and machinations (plots or schemes) as a

monarch

“Treacherous army levied,

one midnight...gates of Milan

and i‘th’dead of darkness”

Light/dark

imagery

Political intrigue

Positive and negative aspects of politics

“Didsty thou, Alonso, use me,

and my daughter. Thy

brother was a furtherer in the

act-”

Dialogue

The use of dialogue suggests a sense of political discovery

where Prospero is pitched by consciousness and hardship

“Knowing I loved my books,

he furnished me from my

own library, with volumes i

prize above my dukedom”

Enjambment The dangers of Prospero’s love for liberal art has affected

his duties as the Duke of Milan and thus halted his political

discovery.

“To what tune pleased his

ear,”

Musical

metaphor

Highlights Antonio’s political intrigue in his personal

discovery of the power found through governing the

kingdom. Pg 13.

“My false brother awaked an

evil nature”

Devil imagery Highlights political, personal and familial discoveries in

regards to the nature of Antonio

“Thy brother was a furtherer

in the act.”

Characterises

Antonio

‘Furtherer’ suggests plotter

Antonio

Further in the act of politics in his plan to overtake his own

brother and usurp him as a result.

“I will be correspondent to

command”

Dialogue

Personal

Pronoun

Recognise of one’s position in social hierarchy, also

reinforces Prospero's position on the island as a parallel to

what he should be in Milan. This reiterates Prospero’s lack

of power in Milan.

Social hierarchy - those who are given power ultimately

discover their influence on others - political

Antonio “For all the rest,

they’ll take suggestion as a cat

laps milk”

Simile

Use of simile suggests Antonio’s belief in the inferiority of

others, suggesting they are essentially simpletons he could

control. This highlights the dangers of leadership in that,

regardless of already having power, deems himself

superior and deserving of more power, hence his ambition

increases. Ultimately a dictator rules Milan.

“I’ll teach you how to flow”

Antonio

Metaphor Describes water and its fluctuations suggesting the fluid

nature of political movement and power, as Antonio plans

to influence Sebastian when he assumes the throne.

“The occasion speaks thee,

and my strong imagination

sees a crown”

Antonio

Metaphor

Personification

of imagination

Beginning of political intrigue, further fuels his ambition to

kill the king of Naples and assume more power as one who

has influence over Sebastian

His ambition results in murderous desires and further

fuels his need for control and dictatorship - a dangerous

position for a leader to be in both morally

“True: And look how well my

garments sit upon me”

Antonio

Irony

“But, for your conscience?

ANTONIO

Ay, sir; where lies that?”

Rhetorical

question - Ant.

Demonstrates his desire for political power that has

clouded his conscience, thus revealing the dangers of

leadership

Self-discovery_- personal growth

Prospero discovers his own power through his art then he discovers what it is like to be

human, Ariel, Caliban/magic, power

Caliban:

The discovery of one’s own social position can occur through the recognition of

power structures within relationships. The acknowledgement of one’s own inferiority

due to a lack of power is a significant self-discovery, as shown through the character

development of Caliban.

● Prospero’s arrival on the island incites Caliban’s self-discoveries regarding the notion

of power and power relationships.

● Throughout the play, and following his transferral to a different power relationship,

Caliban discovers his own inferiority as the subordinate savage, as he willingly

embraces the role of the powerless inferior.

● The hyperbolic language in, ““I must obey: his art is of such power,/ It would control

my dam's god, Setebos,/ and make a vassal of him,” reflects Caliban’s recognition of

Prospero’s power and his inability to “compete” with that power

● Caliban’s statement, “For I am all the subjects that you have for first was my own

king” – demonstrates his acknowledgement of himself as a mere ‘subject’ whose life is

under the control of Prospero his ‘king.’

● The submissive tone in “Let me lick thy feet,” displays Caliban’s willing acceptance of

Stephano as his new master and resulting desire to worship and please him due to the

power he holds over Caliban.

Miranda:

Intellectual and self-discoveries empower individuals due to a newfound sense

of understanding.

● Miranda undergoes significant self-discoveries regarding her past identity, with

Prospero enabling and facilitating her intellectual realisations of her tumultuous

narrative.

● The personification and hyperbolic dialogue, “O, my heart bleeds to think o’th’teen

that I have turned you to, which is from my remembrance.” reflects the detrimental

consequences her prior lack of understanding and knowledge of her past has had. The

pleading tone in “Please you farther” reflects Miranda’s intense desire to gain a

self-awareness regarding her past.

● This newfound knowledge enables the once-ignorant Miranda to gain a sense of

understanding and consequent empowerment.

Prospero:

The discovery of personal power can lead to the destruction of an individual’s

humanity. The use of such power can have intensely significant and detrimental impact, as

Prospero uses the personal power he discovers as an antagonising device, which

consequently incites the deterioration of his own humanity.

o The statement in his anecdote, “And to my state grew stranger, being transported/

and rapt in secret studies,” reflects how discovering personal power through magic

transports the individual from the physical to a transcendent dimension, hence also

transforming them from the humane.

o The high modality in, “Thou art inclined to sleep…/ give it way: I know thou canst

not choose,” demonstrates Prospero’s realisation of the extent of his power and

ensuing use of it as a manipulative mechanism. Furthermore, Prospero’s

understanding of his power over mortality is reinforced through the metaphor,

‘graves at my command have waked their sleepers, oped, and let 'em forth by my so

potent art.”

o The metaphor and Caliban’s submissive tone in, “I must obey: his (Prospero’s) art is

of such power, / It would control my dam's god, Setebos, / and make a vassal of

him,” shows how Prospero’s discovery of power ignites his greed for superiority and

control, reflecting his diminishing humanity.

Self-discoveries regarding one’s authority and morality may incite significant

self-reflexivity, the surrender of power and consequent personal growth.

o Prospero’s undergoes significant self-discoveries regarding the implications of

knowledge (his art) when wielded as a tool to enforce an individual’s authority, with

Prospero’s art enabling the manipulation of Ariel, Caliban and Miranda.

o Ariel facilitates Prospero’s realisation that the use and abuse of knowledge and power

has been detrimental to his morality and humanity, as well as to others.

o The implications of his art are realised by Prospero himself, with the violent natural

imagery, “I have called forth the mutinous winds, and ’twixt the green sea and the

azured vault…set roaring war”, asserting that the discovery of power results in

cruelty and brutality.

o Prospero’s recognition of the futility of employing magic as a destructive force to

state his vengeful desires incites his surrender of power, with the symbolism in the

soliloquy, ‘I’ll break my staff/Bury it certain fathoms in the earth/And deeper than

did ever plummet sound/I’ll drown my book,’ reflecting Prospero’s moment of

realisation and consequently enables the re-discovery of his humanity.

Emotional Discovery – inconsistent and confronting

challenges as perceptions are changed

Miranda and Ferdinand need to discover more than love/lust, Prospero discovers his

humanity and regains a sense of self. Emotional and personal discoveries are: ● Revelations to particular characters that may occur through external influence or

through internal reflection.

● Discoveries that

Thesis Statements:

1. An individual’s isolation from the wider world may be a catalyst for new emotional

discoveries.

2. Confronting and provocative experiences can create environments for emotional and

personal discoveries.

3. Profound personal and emotional revelations can greatly impact on an individual's

sense of morality.

4. Unexpected and unanticipated events can lead to new discoveries and a change to an

individual’s context.

5. Confronting and provocative experiences can act as a catalyst to emotional and

personal discoveries.

THESIS

POINT

Technique Character Quote Link to emotional/personal

and thesis

1. Emotive language

Metaphor

Miranda “I might call him a

thing divine, for

nothing natural i ever

saw so noble”

Miranda experiences Ferdinand

as being almost god-like when

compared to her previous

experiences with the ‘unnatural’

Caliban - the only other man she

knows apart from her father. Her

isolation has created this intense

emotional and personal discovery.

1. Emotive dialogue Miranda ‘This is the third man

that e’er I saw; the

first that e’er I sighed

for’

Miranda is experiencing love for

the first time following her

isolation from outside influence -

this new experience leads to her

emotional discoveries about love

and relationships, which are even

more intense due to her previous

lack of it.

1. Emotive language Miranda “I have no ambition to

see a goodlier man”

Miranda wishes to not know

about any other man than

Ferdinand, since he is the only

man that she knows to be

associated with love. Her

emotional and personal discovery

has self-imposed limitations, yet

are still ground-breaking.

2. Hyperbole,

symbolism

Prospero ‘Your charm so

strongly works ‘em

that if you beheld now

them, your affections

would become tender’

Prospero is confronted with the

real, dangerous power of his

magic and the consequences it

can have - making him realise the

wrong in his actions. This is the

beginning of his emotional

discovery and personal

redemption.

2. Poison imagery,

simile

Alonso,

Sebastian,

Antonio,

Gonzalo

“Their great guilt, like

poison given to work a

great time after, now

‘gins to bite the

spirits”.

After experiencing the profound

event of Ariel’s intimidation, the

men (in particular Antonio) begin

to feel a sense of guilt and horror:

highlighting the beginning of

their emotional and personal

discoveries. Ariel’s confronting

experience was a catalyst for their

‘epiphany’ moment.

2 Dialogue Alonso “Thy dukedom I

resign, and do entreat

thou pardon me my

wrongs.”

When confronted with his own

wrongdoing, he is able to

acknowledge his guilt and ‘sins’,

leading him down a path of

emotional discovery and

rediscovery.

3. Emotive language Caliban “I loved thee and

showed thee all the

qualities

o’th’isle”..”Cursed be

that I did so!”

Caliban endures emotional

discoveries about human nature

and morality through Miranda

and Prospero’s enslavery of him,

compared to the initial

relationships they shared. He now

feels anger and revengeful, fitting

to the ‘animalistic’ character that

he is portrayed as.

3. symbolism Prospero “betterment of others”

“breaking of the staff”

Characterisation of Prospero as

he makes deep personal

discoveries that result in a

reflection of his settings. In the

presence of Miranda and

Ferdinand’s pure relationship, he

is able to rediscover a sense of

humanity and morality.

3. Metaphor Prospero ‘Let us not burden our

remembrances with a

heaviness thats gone’

Following his emotional and

personal revelation about the

essence of human nature and

morality, Prospero is able to

adopt this morality through

forgiveness of past wrongs.

Ferdinand “O heaven, o earth,

bear witness to this

sound’

Physical Discovery- perceptions of the world

and themselves are changed

Physical Discovery – Miranda and Ferdinand

● Leads to discovery of sexuality and sensuality

● Fosters intimate experiences between individuals

● Discovery of the complex nature of life and humanity gives individuals a more cohesive

understanding of themselves in terms of their physical surroundings

● Miranda’s physical discovery of Ferdinand – “A thing divine…” (Act 1 Scene 2 Line 417)

o Implies that he is not of the physical realm

o Godly figure

o Comparison to the supernatural

● “I do not know one of my sex; no woman’s face remember…” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 50)

o Miranda’s ignorance of physical discoveries about humanity

o Due to her isolation from the rest of civilisation, highlights her overall naivety

o Juxtaposition between her knowledge of humanity and Prospero’s

discovery/knowledge of humanity.

● “Sweet Lord, you play me false” and stage direction “Ferdinand and Miranda playing a

game of chess” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 172)

o Chess and courtship go hand in hand

o Parallels the course of love between Miranda and Ferdinand

o Miranda and Ferdinand are symbols of Prospero’s physical chess pieces in which he

manoeuvres throughout the course of the play, similarly to how pieces are moved

intellectually through the ‘game.’

o Checkmate – same of brinkmanship

o Metaphor (game of chess) for Prospero’s initial manipulation and control of

characters throughout the play.

● “O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, and crown what I profess…” (Act 3 Scene 1

Line 70)

o Calls on nature to bear witness to his confession

o Juxtaposition between the physical (earth) and metaphysical (heaven) to highlight

the extent of Ferdinand infatuation with Miranda.

● “Admired Miranda…” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 38)

o The technique is a polyptoton/pun

o Play on words as Miranda comes from the Latin term “Miranda” meaning

“admirable”

● “Sir she is mortal; but by immortal providence she is mine.” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 189)

o Sense of ownership

o Binary opposition

o Represents the Jacobean male mentality of physical/mental superiority over females.

● “How many goodly are there here! How beauteous mankind is!” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 183)

o Highlights Miranda’s lack of physical discovery due to her isolation form the rest of

civilisation.

o “Received a second life…” (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 195)

Physical Discovery – Prospero and Caliban

● An individual’s possessions or power may render them physically powerful, though

physical discovery is ultimately catalysed through colonisation and the overthrowing

of power.

● Prospero physical discovery is elicited through the physical relinquishing of power

and knowledge

● Caliban physical discovery is elicited through his possession of the land and the

ultimate loss of land through the means of colonisation

Prospero

● “I’ll break my staff”

o Staff is a symbol for power and control

o Metaphor for the ‘breaking’ of Prospero’s bond with power

o Physical discovery is elicited through the physical and deliberate act of relinquishing

Prospero’s power

● “I’ll drown my book”

o Prospero’s books are symbolic of his knowledge

o Metaphorically implies that physical discovery is catalysed through the relinquishing

of knowledge as a source of power

o Prospero’s books play a tangible role in promoting physical discovery and the pursuit

of knowledge

● “First to possess his books: for without them he’s but a sot as I am”

o Caliban emphasis that without the possession of books as a tangible source of

Prospero’s power and knowledge, Prospero is physically powerless

o Physical discovery enables the attainment of knowledge and the power that rises from

it, however, without books one becomes powerless

o Without the contents of his treasured library, Prospero's a "sot" (a stupid fool) and as

powerless as Caliban

Caliban

● “The island’s mine”

● Possessive noun “mine”

● Physical discovery highlights Caliban’s sense of ownership of the island

● However it foreshadows Caliban’s loss as once it is taken away there is an

emphasis on the role of colonisation and exploitation in inhibiting Caliban’s

physical discoveries and connection with the land

● “I’ll show thee every fertile inch th’ island”

● Personal pronoun “I” emphasises Caliban’s physical relationship with the island

● Caliban physically discovers the human interactions of wonder, admiration and

wonder

Discovery through the eyes of the marginalised other – the power of stories and

storytelling allowing new insights

Discovery through the eyes of the marginalised Other-Ariel, Caliban

● The personal discoveries made by a marginalised individual are wholly influenced by

their situation and those whom they are marginalised by

● A greater range of personal discoveries can be achieved once an individual is released

from their oppression

Ariel

● Ariel's discoveries are initially limited by his being under of the control of Prospero.

● The way in which Arial yearns for his freedom shows how life without personal

discoveries is devoid of meaning.

● The personal discoveries of a marginalised other are often dependent on the actions of

those whom they are marginalised by.

Thesis Ideas:

● Unless an individual is allowed the freedom to explore, they experience stagnation in the

development of their personal discoveries.

● The connection that an individual maintains with nature or another greater force

provides them with a medium through which to explore their own discoveries despite the

control of others

● The power held by others has the ability to inhibit and manipulate the discoveries made

by a marginalised individual

Technique Quote Effect

High modality and

demanding language.

Imperialistic speech style

"Come away, servant,

come; I'm ready now.

Approach, my Ariel.

Come!"

Shows that Ariel is under the command of

Prospero, and hence not in control of his own

discoveries. Being a marginalised other limits the

discoveries that an individual can make on their

own.

Integrated Questioning "'What is't thou canst

demand?' 'My liberty.'"

Relationship between imprisonment and

powerlessness. While imprisoned, one desires

personal freedom which can in turn relate to

personal discovery.

Disheartened tone “Pardon, master. I will be

correspondent to

command and to my

spiriting gently

Personal discoveries involve the recognition of

relationships of Power. Great self-discovery is

required for Ariel to accept his fate under the

command of Prospero

Possessive language “My Ariel, chick, that is thy

charge. Then to the

elements/ be free and fare

thou well”

● Ariel’s connection with nature is what

allows him to be truly free from Prospero

● As shown in the next quote, Ariel is the

most free when he is one with nature, away

from the control of external, unnatural

forces

Lyrical dialogue style “Where the bee sucks there

suck I/ in a cowslips bell I

lie.”

● In this scene, Ariel is dressed as a faerie,

showing his dependence on and

communion with nature.

● It is through nature that Ariel is the most

free, and therefore able to make his own

self-discoveries, thus enriching him

Caliban

● We are told that Caliban’s experience of discovery was initiated when Prospero’s

Miranda, who are so different from him, came to the isle (paradigm of colonialism)

● He discovers there are ways of thinking other than his when he attempts to “people the

island with Calibans” and is treated as a savage

● He discovers (and rediscovers) betrayal - first through Prospero and then through

Trinculo and Stephano

Thesis Statements:

● The discovery of foreign human nature can adversely affect the mannerisms of an

individual

● Sometimes our discoveries about human nature, life, ourselves and the world around

subvert our past opinions

● An individual may embark upon a quest to act upon their discoveries in order to fulfil an

emotional need

● Profound discoveries come from the most confronting experiences

● The personal discoveries made by a marginalised individual are wholly influenced by

their situation and those whom they are marginalised by

● An individual achieves discovery of oneself through reassessment of preconceived

notions of discovery

● A greater range of personal discoveries can be achieved once an individual s released

from their oppression

Technique Quote Effect

Juxtaposition “Till thou didst seek to violate

the honour of my child”

Contrasting of civility and animal instinct between

Caliban and Prospero

Juxtaposition +

imprisonment

metaphor

“Which first was mine own

king; and here you sty me in

this hard rock”

Caliban becomes the marginalised other on an island

that was his territory

“You taught me language” Intellectual discovery

“His spirits hear me/ And yet

i needs must curse”

Caliban has an emotional need to keep talking in

defiance of Prospero, to mitigate his internal feelings

of betrayal and anger

“And then i loved thee/And

showed thee all the qualities

o’th’isle… cursed be i that did

so!”

Caliban discovers and rediscovers his own naivete as

a native - he thinks he’s been double-crossed by

Prospero

“These be fine things, and if

they be not sprites”

Caliban discovers that there are humans different in

nature to Prospero, and sees this as his chance to

overthrow Prospero, and claim back the island he

believes is his

Use of past tense “When thou cam’st first /

though strok’st me and made

much of me

Caliban discovered the tender affection he lacked

from sycorax, then this was subverted and he was

alienated, enslaved by the one who previously saw

enough promise in him to teach him their language

“Hast thou not dropped from

heaven?”

Caliban believes Stephano has come from heavan.

Some early settlers in the New World claimed to the

natives that they were from the moon

Parallels “I’ll show thee every fertile

inch o’th’island”

Draws a parallel to prospero. Caliban believes

Stephano to be different and more worthy or worship

“This island’s mine by sycorax

my mother, I which thou

tak’st from me”

Caliban has discovered, for the first time in his life,

what it feels like to lose something. He’s lost his

island and then his liberty and free movement when

he is enslaved by Prospero

“I say by sorcery he got this

isle”

Caliban is extremely resentful

Nature pun,

language of

usurpation

They all do hate him / as

rootedly as I”

Caliban knows Prospero’s flaws

“Thou earth, thou! speak!

→ Caliban is the elemental opposition of Ariel, who is

of the air

→ Caliban discovers the Eurocentric, imperialist

ideology of the foreigners, who are xenophobic in

their actions

Miranda

● The character Miranda is physically marginalised from the wider society where the

arrival of the royal court awakens new discoveries for Miranda

● Miranda’s discoveries are initially limited as she is under the influence and protection of

her father

Her interactions with Ferdinand allows her to discover love thus she is able to gain her

humanity

Technique Quote Effect

Repetition “Awake, dear heart, awake;

thou hast slept well, Awake”

‘Awake’ is a metaphor for discovery → Prospero

is in control of Miranda’s personal discovery as

she is physically marginalised from society

Demeaning

language

“Abhorred slave” Moral discoveries of Miranda - not all men are

father figures → demonstrates her naivety of

men and her lack of interactions with other

“I might call him

A thing divine, for nothing

natural

I ever saw so noble”

Miranda has an immediate attraction to

Ferdinand → physical/sexual discovery

Juxtaposition “This is the third man that

e’er I saw; the first that e’er I

sighed for”

Discovery of love → Miranda has been physically

deprived from the wider society.

Biblical allusion “There’s nothing ill can dwell

in such a temple”

Physical discovery of the other → Miranda

perceives Ferdinand almost as if he were a God

High modality “Sir, have pity; I’ll be his

surely”

Miranda discovers love through her immediate

attraction to Ferdinand this in part reflects how

discoveries can have self-imposed limitations as

Miranda does not want to discover other men

Exclamatory

language

“O brave new world

That has such people in’t”

Emphasises Miranda’s physical

discovery/personal awakening