The Tempest

Acts 4 Questions

Act 4 Scene 1:
1. Summarize what Prospero tells Ferdinand (and warns him about) in the beginning of this
scene.
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he can marry Miranda, but if he takes her
virginity before the marriage, he will su er severe punishment
(understandable).

2. Research who Iris, Juno, and Ceres. Why might Prospero ask Ariel to create this illusion of
these three figures? Consider also why they appear in the order they do.

They appear in order of how the gods would usually come, with Iris as
Juno’s messenger, Juno appearing to bless them, and Ceres appearing
as a blessing of agriculture and fertility. They appear in this order to
signify the importance and their blessing over the union.

3. Why does the vision stop? What does Prospero remember?

The vision stops because Prospero stops thinking about it, he remembers
Caliban wanting to kill him.

4. Prospero asks Ariel where he left those “varlets,” or ruffians. What does Ariel respond?
What is Prospero’s attitude towards Caliban here?
Ariel responds that he led them through briar patches and swamps. Prospero
feels very angry towards Caliban, saying “a born devil, on whose nature
nurture can never stick.”

5. How does Caliban respond differently than Stephano and Trinculo to the clothes on the
line? Why might this be significant?
Stephano and Trinculo are distracted by the gaudy, expensive clothing, while
Caliban does not, and he becomes anxious as he sees his allies being
distracted. This is signi cant because it shows the worldliness and lack of
loyalty that Stephano and Trinculo feel.
6. How does the magic shift over the course of the scene? Consider the visions and noises the
Spirits produce.
Magic goes from almost benevolent, with Prospero’s blessing of their union, to
violent, with the hunting dogs that he and Ariel summoned to chase away
Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban. The visions and noises show the peace that can
be over the island if Caliban’s group was not an issue, but the presence of
violence shows how they are a direct problem to Prospero.