SHORT ANSWERS - THE TEMPEST
Answer the following questions.
(i) What was happening in Shakespeare's career when he wrote 'The Tempest'?
Ans. "The Tempest" is most likely the last play written entirely by Shakespeare in 1611. The forty-seven year old Shakespeare was purposely slowing down his professional theatre work to spend more time in his hometown of Stratford, tending to real estate and investments, seeing to the marriages of his daughters, and looking to a new phase of his life.
Ans. "The Tempest" is most likely the last play written entirely by Shakespeare in 1611. The forty-seven year old Shakespeare was purposely slowing down his professional theatre work to spend more time in his hometown of Stratford, tending to real estate and investments, seeing to the marriages of his daughters, and looking to a new phase of his life.
(ii) What two distinctions does 'The Tempest' have among Shakespeare's plays?
Ans. "The Tempest" is most likely the last play written entirely by Shakespeare, and it is remarkable for being one of the only two plays by Shakespeare (the other being Love's Labor's Lost) whose plot is entirely original. The extraordinary flexibility of Shakespeare's stage is give particular prominence in "The Tempest".
Ans. "The Tempest" is most likely the last play written entirely by Shakespeare, and it is remarkable for being one of the only two plays by Shakespeare (the other being Love's Labor's Lost) whose plot is entirely original. The extraordinary flexibility of Shakespeare's stage is give particular prominence in "The Tempest".
(iii) Why is there no real suspense in the play 'The Tempest'?
Ans. Firstly, "The Tempest" is an autobiographical play. Prospreo is a self-portrait. His abjuration of art is effectively Shakespeare's. Secondly, Shakespeare is bored writing drama, and may perhaps have preferred to have written this instead as a narrative poem. So there is no real suspense in the play.
Ans. Firstly, "The Tempest" is an autobiographical play. Prospreo is a self-portrait. His abjuration of art is effectively Shakespeare's. Secondly, Shakespeare is bored writing drama, and may perhaps have preferred to have written this instead as a narrative poem. So there is no real suspense in the play.
(iv) List four elements the four romances have in common.
Ans. The four romances of Shakespeare include "Cymbeline", "The Winter's Tale", "Pericles" and the "Tempest". These romances were written at the end of Shakespeare's career. These plays have elements of comedy and tragedy. There are elements of magic and the fantastic in these plays. The most important element of these romances is the obsession with the concept of loss and recovery.
Ans. The four romances of Shakespeare include "Cymbeline", "The Winter's Tale", "Pericles" and the "Tempest". These romances were written at the end of Shakespeare's career. These plays have elements of comedy and tragedy. There are elements of magic and the fantastic in these plays. The most important element of these romances is the obsession with the concept of loss and recovery.
(v) What do you know about Ferdinand?
Ans. Ferdinand is the son of the king of Naples, Alonso. He is drawn to Prospero and Miranda by Ariel's music. "He is gentle and not fearful." He falls in love with Miranda immediately.
Ans. Ferdinand is the son of the king of Naples, Alonso. He is drawn to Prospero and Miranda by Ariel's music. "He is gentle and not fearful." He falls in love with Miranda immediately.
(vi) Why is Gonzalo sure that Boatswain will not die of drowning?
Ans. Gonzalo prognosticates that Boatswain is born to be hanged because he has hanging look in his features. Thus Gonzalo is sure that Boatswain will not die of drowning in the storm. He will survive in order to be hanged later on.
Ans. Gonzalo prognosticates that Boatswain is born to be hanged because he has hanging look in his features. Thus Gonzalo is sure that Boatswain will not die of drowning in the storm. He will survive in order to be hanged later on.
(vii) What are the three things associated the Prospero's magical power?
Ans. Prospero's magic staff (Ariel and other spirits) and his books represent his power. With his magical power, he can alter weather, put on a dazzling wedding entertainment, bully his servants, manipulate his enemies, and orchestrate his daughter's marriage to the Prince of Naples.
Ans. Prospero's magic staff (Ariel and other spirits) and his books represent his power. With his magical power, he can alter weather, put on a dazzling wedding entertainment, bully his servants, manipulate his enemies, and orchestrate his daughter's marriage to the Prince of Naples.
(viii) Who is Miranda?
Ans. Miranda is the only female character to appear on stage in "The Tempest" by Shakespeare. She is the daughter of Prespero. She was banished to the Island along with her father at the age of three. In the subsequent twelve years she has lived with her father and their slave, Caliban. She falls in love with Ferdinand immediately.
Ans. Miranda is the only female character to appear on stage in "The Tempest" by Shakespeare. She is the daughter of Prespero. She was banished to the Island along with her father at the age of three. In the subsequent twelve years she has lived with her father and their slave, Caliban. She falls in love with Ferdinand immediately.
(ix) Give a description of Caliban.
Ans. Caliban has the body of a beast and the head of a deformed dwarf; he crawls upon all fours rather than walks upright. His passions are bestial, yet he sees the beauty in nature with a poet's mind.
Ans. Caliban has the body of a beast and the head of a deformed dwarf; he crawls upon all fours rather than walks upright. His passions are bestial, yet he sees the beauty in nature with a poet's mind.
(x) Who is sycorax and why does she lock Ariel in a tree for 12 years?
Ans. Sycorax is a vicious and powerful witch, and the mother of Caliban. She locks Ariel in a "cloven pine". Ariel is left in the "cloven pine" for 12 years because the old witch, Sycorax, dies in the meantime.
Ans. Sycorax is a vicious and powerful witch, and the mother of Caliban. She locks Ariel in a "cloven pine". Ariel is left in the "cloven pine" for 12 years because the old witch, Sycorax, dies in the meantime.
(xi) Who is the most eloquent character in the play 'The Tempest'?
Ans. Caliban speaks some of the most beautiful and eloquent poetry of the play. Caliban's first words on stage are a raucous curse and a loud accusation: "This island's mine....which thou tak'st from me." If Caliban represents raw, unchecked instinct, he also represents one of the most eloquent voices in the play.
Ans. Caliban speaks some of the most beautiful and eloquent poetry of the play. Caliban's first words on stage are a raucous curse and a loud accusation: "This island's mine....which thou tak'st from me." If Caliban represents raw, unchecked instinct, he also represents one of the most eloquent voices in the play.
(xii) Interpret "Good wombs have borne bad sons."
Ans. This line is spoken by Miranda when her father Prospero asks her if Antonia can be called a brother. She says that it would be wrong for me to think poorly of my grandmother because good women sometimes give birth to bad sons.
Ans. This line is spoken by Miranda when her father Prospero asks her if Antonia can be called a brother. She says that it would be wrong for me to think poorly of my grandmother because good women sometimes give birth to bad sons.
(xiii) Why doesn't Alonso believe his son might still be alive?
Ans. Alonso is so depressed that he doesn't even want to believe his son Ferdinand is still alive. Twelve years ago, he helped Antonio usurp the Dukedom of Milan from his brother Prospero. He thinks the death of his son is the result of this mean act.
Ans. Alonso is so depressed that he doesn't even want to believe his son Ferdinand is still alive. Twelve years ago, he helped Antonio usurp the Dukedom of Milan from his brother Prospero. He thinks the death of his son is the result of this mean act.
(xiv) Why does Ariel put everyone but Antonio and Sebastian to sleep?
Ans. Ariel's music quickly charms all but Antonio and Sebastian to sleep so that Antonio can persuade Sebastian to kill his sleeping brother, Alonso. Antonio argues that Ferdinand is surely drowned, and the Claribel, the next heir, is too far away to make an effective claim. Thus by murdering his brother, he would become the King of Naples.
(xv) What is the origin of 'Setebos', the name of Sycorax's god?
Ans. Ariel's music quickly charms all but Antonio and Sebastian to sleep so that Antonio can persuade Sebastian to kill his sleeping brother, Alonso. Antonio argues that Ferdinand is surely drowned, and the Claribel, the next heir, is too far away to make an effective claim. Thus by murdering his brother, he would become the King of Naples.
(xv) What is the origin of 'Setebos', the name of Sycorax's god?
Ans. Setebos, the deity purportedly worshiped by the witch Sycoras, was originally the god of Pantagonians. He was explicitly mentioned in Pigafetta's journal, which was also carried forth into Eden's book, and picked up by Shakespeare.
Very useful.
ReplyDeleteSir can you provide notes for subjective part
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