HSC Advanced English

The Tempest: Study Notes by Beth Mitchell

(For in depth related texts see related text file)

Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1 – A ship carrying Alonso, King of Naples and his courtship is caught
in a wild storm. The crew attempt to save the ship but find they are powerless.
The ship is wrecked onto an unknown shore.

Scene 2 – We meet Miranda and Prospero on their Island. Miranda begs

Prospero to calm the tempest. Prospero reveals to Miranda that he was once
the Duke of Milan, but his brother Antonio, who took his place and exiled he
and Miranda to this island, usurped him. Ariel reports to Prospero that the
boatmen are safe and requests his freedom from Prospero, which Prospero
denies. Prospero orders Ariel to disguise himself as an invisible sea-nymph
and sends him away. Prospero and Miranda visit Caliban and we learn how
he was enslaved by Prospero after attempting to assault Miranda. Ferdinand,
the son of Antonio, has left the wreck and has been drawn to the beach where
Miranda is by Ariel’s music. Miranda and Ferdinand are transfixed by each
other at first sight and Ferdinand offers to make Miranda the Queen of Naples
(thinking his father dead). Prospero denies Ferdinand this in order to test his
loyalty and forces him to work for him.

Act II

Scene 1 – Alonso and his court find themselves on the island in a state of
confusion. Gonzalo notes how everyone’s clothes are dry and is mocked for
his observations. Alonso is in despair, believing his son to be dead, and will
not be comforted. We learn that Antonio and Sebastian are plotting to kill the
King and take his throne.

Scene 2 – Trinculo, a court jester, and Stephano, a butler, discover Caliban in

his cave. They make him their servant and then begin to plot to take over the
island together.

Act III

Scene 1 – Miranda and Ferdinand declare their love for each other and
Miranda declares that she wishes to marry Ferdinand. Prospero endorses
this.

Scene 2 – Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo get into a fight, caused by Ariel’s
trickery. They all get drunk and are led away by Ariel’s music.
Scene 3 – Gonzalo and Alonso are wearied by their wanderings and Alonso is
beginning to give up hope that Ferdinand may still be alive. Sebastian and
Antonio continue to plot against the King. A magical banquet appears and
then disappears, leaving the courtship amazed and confused. Ariel then
appears to the men as a harpy and accuses the men of their sins.

Act IV

Scene 1 – Prospero warns Ferdinand to control his desires with Miranda until
they are married. Ferdinand promises he will. Three spirits, Juno, Ceres and
Iris then appear in the masque and perform a ceremony to celebrate the
lover’s engagement. Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban find some clothes on a
line and take them, while continuing to plot their dominance of the island.

Act V

Scene 1 – Ariel expresses pity for all the people Prospero has trapped on the
Island. This causes Prospero to express mercy for them himself. Prospero
finally brings all those on the island together and reveals his identity. He
reunites happily with Gonzalo, reprimands Alonso and Sebastian and forgives
Antonio. Alonso asks for forgiveness and offers to reinstate Prospero as duke.
Miranda and Ferdinand are revealed to the court and tell their story. Alonso is
overjoyed. Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban arrive and realise their mistakes.
Prospero promises the crew a safe trip home and ends the play by asking the
audience for forgiveness and relinquishing his magic powers.

Discovery in the Tempest

The discoveries in the Tempest, and most other text’s, fall into four main
categories. Some may be included in more than one category.

Place

People Events

Relationships

Place

- Prospero discovered the island. Act 1, Sc 2

- The boat crew discovers the island. Act 1, Sc 1
- Miranda discovers she comes from Milan. Act 1, Sc 2
- Discovery of ownership. Act 5, Sc1
 Ideas about place + discovery:

Discovery about a place can lead to reconsidered values and ideas.

Discovery of a new place can bring many questions about status and
ownership. (Colonial context)

Events

- The storm and shipwreck leads to all the other discoveries in the play
(and mirrors Prospero’s original shipwreck and discovery of the Island.)
Act 1, Sc 1-2
- The banquet. Act 3, Sc 3
- Ferdinand and Miranda’s meeting. Act 1, Sc 2.

Ideas about events + discovery:

Unexpected events often result in discovery

Similar events can lead to similar discoveries

People

- Miranda discovers there are people other than Prospero and Caliban.
Act 1, Sc 2
- Sebastian discovers Antonio’s true nature.
- Prospero makes the self-discovery that he is capable of mercy and
compassion. Act 5, Sc 1
- Most characters make significant personal discoveries through the
course of the play.

Ideas about people + discovery:

Being in a new and/or unexpected situation can cause us to make

discoveries about ourselves and other people.

These discoveries can alter the way we see ourselves and relate to others.

Reception to discovery is strongly linked to an individulas

social/physical/emotional context.

Discovery can change our identity.

The degree of a discoveries impact is shaped by the individuals

willingness to embrace it.

Discoveries can be eagerly sought or unwelcome.

The nature of a discovery can change over time.

Relationships

- Miranda and Ferdinand discover love through their relationship.

- Prospero repairs his relationships with Antonio and Alonso through
forgiveness and mercy. Act 5, Sc 1

Ideas about relationships + discovery:

Discoveries can be made, through a relationship with another person,

which could not be made on your own.

Personal discoveries can have great impact on relationships, for better or

worse.

TECHNIQUES

Symbolism of the storm

 Symbolises inner turmoil of characters
 Physical storm – catalyst for physical discovery
 Internal storm – catalyst for internal discovery
 Enables physical discovery and distruption of the social order
 Represents Prospero’s rage

Story as an allegory for colonial action/colonial allusions

 Shows the impact of new discoveries
 Establishes power balances and their role in discovery

Spiritual motifs
 Demonstrate the connection between the real and spiritual
 Show the spiritual realm as an important part of discovery
 Drives discovery and confronts characters – transformation of self/world
view
o E.g Ariels illusionary banquet
o Wedding ceremony by spirits
o Ariel’s confrontation of prospero

Recurrence of music and magic

 Create and imaginary world which enables discovery through re-
evaluation of the self

Related Texts:

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

Humor
 Contrasted with moments of seriousness to show unexpected impact of
discovery
 Reveals how characters respond to discoveries in different ways
Intertextuality
 Set up Greg’s personal environment for discovery
 Act as a symbol of the change in Greg’s life
o Goes from making lots of silly films about whatever interests him
to making one film for Rachel
 Enhances congruent themes across the text and the text being
referenced

Dialogue
 Genuine and awkward to demonstrate the unanticipated impact of
discovery
 It allows a closer link between the persona of Greg and the concepts of
discovery
 Gives the idea more authority

Camera shots
 Lots of handheld/panning shots show how discovery is driven by the
environment
 Contrasted with moments of stillness to show impact of discovery
o E.g. Scene in Rachels bedroom when Greg discovers her
choice to stop medication
o “Well I’m not going to sit here and just watch you give up and
die… this’ll destroy your mum, are you ok with that?”

Textual variation/mixed media

 Symbolic recurring image of moose stomping on squirrel – squirrel
avoiding shows how discovery has changed Greg

Once

Simple language
 Enhances the environment for discovery
o E.g. Felix’s naïve nature
 Shows how context can shape the impact of a discovery
o Felix’s discovery is prolonged by his naïve nature
o “All that’s left are the books I brought from home and the letters
Mum and Dad wrote to me before the postal service started to
have problems.”

Vivid imagery
 Paired with simple language reveals how the process of discovery is
dependent on personal context
o “The river has suddenly turned red. Which is a bit strange
because the sunset is still yellow. … No, it must just be a trick of
the light.”

Dramatic irony
 Reveals Felix’s naivety
 Gives greater depth to the impending discovery
  Builds dramatic tension
o E.g. Children playing game – “Alright you be a Jew, that means
you have to be sad cause the Nazi’s took your Mum and Dad
away.” “Relax. It’s just a game.”

Changing tone/discourse
 Demonstrates the deeply personal nature of discovery
 Shows how discovery can impact worldview
o Tone becomes more simple and aggressive in the bunker
o Sections of plot become shorter
o “Needles of light pricking through the gloom” “I want to yell at
them, don’t you know anything?” “My imagination doesn’t want
to be bothered by stories.”

Short sentences
 Heighten the dramatic tension and set the audience up for the
impending discovery
 Move the story along, mirroring Felix’s journey of discovery
o “Wait a second. Over there. Gunshots. Thank you God and the
others.”

Important Quotes:

“I have such provision in mine art so safely ordered, that there is no soul, no,
no so much perdition as a hair betid to any creature in the vessel.” Prospero,
Act 1, Scene 2.

You taught me language, and my profit on’t

Is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!
Caliban, Act 1, Scene 2

“This is the third man that e’er I saw; the first that e’er I sighed for.”
Miranda, Act 1, Scene 2.

“To th’most of men this is a Caliban, and they to him are angels.”

“I would not wish any companion in the world but you;” Miranda, Act 3,
Scene 1.

“What I desire to give, and much less take what I shall die to want… And
prompt me, plain and holy innocence. I am your wife, If you will marry me…”
Miranda, Act 3, Scene 2 (Miranda’s discovery of Ferdinand causes her to
reconsider herself.)

“Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen – ‘save
our graces! – and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the
plot, Trinculo?” Stephano, Act 3, Scene 2.

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,

As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve;
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
Prospero, Act 4, Scene 1

“Your charm so strongly works ‘em that if you now beheld them, your
affections would become tender.” “Dost thou think so, spirit?” “Mine would, sir,
were I human.” “And mine shall.” Ariel – Prospero, Act 5, Scene 1.

Sample HSC Questions

Question 1

‘Not all discoveries are made for the first time.’

Explore the truth of this statement in relation to the texts, you have studied.
In your response, refer to your prescribed text and at least ONE other related
text of your own choosing. [DONE]

Question 2

‘Most discoveries encompass rediscovering something that has been lost,

forgotten or concealed.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement from your study?
In your response, refer to your prescribed text and TWO other related texts of
your own choosing. [DONE]

Question 3

‘Discovery is a product of curiosity and careful planning.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement from your study?
In your response, refer to your prescribed text and at least ONE other related
text of your own choosing. [DONE]