The Tempest by William Shakespeare - Act III Comprehension Questions

Read through the questions before watching/reading Act III. While watching the play on
digital theater answer the questions.

Please read before watch play: By now you have met all the characters in the play. You
can use the character list for reference. In fact, something to note about Act III is that it is
the middle act of the play and is divided into three scenes whereas all other acts are divided
into 1-2 scenes. Each scene in this Act follows the three different story lines that make up
the entire play: scene i - Miranda and Ferdinand; scene ii - Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo;
scene iii - Sebastian, Antonio, Alonso and Gonzalo (note: in the RSC version scenes ii & iii
are reversed).

It will be helpful for you to cite lines in the text. When citing lines from a play you include
the act, scene and line (ex: I.ii.14-16). Your citations should be no longer than 3 lines.

Scene i
1. It was clear from Act I that Miranda and Ferdinand are in love. In this scene, we see
their love continue to grow. Shakespeare often uses hyperbole when characters
express their love for each other. Find 2 examples of hyperbole*, one from Miranda
and one from Ferdinand, which shows their love for each other.

2. Although Prosepro make Ferdinand do hard labor, what can we tell about how he
feels about Miranda’s and Ferdinand’s relationship based on his asides*?

Scene ii
3. What are Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo planning in this scene?

4. How does Ariel create conflict between these three characters?

Scene iii

5. In this scene Prospero and Ariel set up an imaginary banquet for Antonio, Sebastian,
Alonso and Gonzalo. Ariel appears as a harpy* and interrupts the banquet. What
does Ariel as a harpy tell Antonio, Sebastian, Alonso and Gonzalo?

6. After Ariel as a harpy speaks, Prospero says “And these, mine enemies, are all knit
up/ In their distractions. They are now in my power,” (II.iii.89-90). What does
Prospero mean by this? What was his aim in this point of his plan?
 7. In your own words, paraphrase what Gonzalo says in his final lines of this scene.
Why might Gonzalo be the only one who is not affected by Ariel’s speech?

Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally (Oxford

Languages)

Asides: lines spoken by a character and it is understood by the audience that the other
characters on stage do not hear these lines.

Harpy: a monster with a woman’s head and body and the wings and claws of a bird
(paraphrased from Oxford Languages)