The Tempest
Culminating
Activity
Packet
The Tempest
Vocabulary: Act One
For each word, write the definition, part of speech, and use the word in an
original sentence.
1. abhorred
2. allay
3. chide
4. fen
5. fortitude
6. homage
7. perfidious
8. precursors
9. prerogative
Vocabulary: Act two
For each word, write the definition, part of speech, and use the word in an
original sentence.
1. abominable
2. celestial
3. enmity
4. nimble
5. prate
6. spendthrift
7. trifle
8. upbraid
Vocabulary: Act three
For each word, write the definition, part of speech, and use the word in an
original sentence.
1. brine
2. jocund
3. odious
4. peerless
5. sinews
6. surfeited
7. vigilance
Vocabulary: Act four
For each word, write the definition, part of speech, and use the word in an
original sentence.
1. abstemious
2. barren
3. compensation
4. deity
5. disdain
6. mute
7. oracle
8. rabble
9. vexed
Vocabulary: Act five
For each word, write the definition, part of speech, and use the word in an
original sentence.
1. auspicious
2. chastise
3. discourse
4. nuptial
5. promontory
6. rapier
7. score
The Tempest
Questions: Act One
Answer each question using complete sentences and details from the text to
support you answers.
1. Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?
2. Why does Miranda have such immediate empathy for the men in the ship?
Since we learn that she has lived on a deserted island with her father since
childhood, where would she have learned these ideas of pity and mercy?
3. Why is she so merciful towards the shipwreck victims but has only contempt
and hatred for Caliban? Where and how would she have gotten her ideas?
4. What does it mean that Prospero has to take off his robe, his “magic garment,”
before he can tell Miranda about her history?
5. Think about how you might tell your own child or a close friend the story of
your past. How would you tend to characterize yourself and your actions in your
story? What about Prospero’s story? Does he take any responsibility for what
happened to him? Should he?
6. What crimes does Antonio, Prospero’s brother, commit? What motivates him?
For which crimes is he most responsible? How do you judge him?
7. In Prospero’s questioning of Ariel, we learn that the storm is part of Prospero’s
design. Does he want to punish the conspirators or lead them to repentance?
8. Ariel was imprisoned by Sycorax. Why? How does the physical description of
Sycorax compare to your impressions of Ariel?
9. What connection does Shakespeare establish between outward appearance
and inner spirit? Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
10. What is your reaction to Prospero’s treatment of Caliban? Does Caliban have a
legitimate complaint against Prospero? Why does Prospero keep Caliban as his
servant even when he despises him? Why do you think Caliban attempted to
“violate the honor” of Miranda? Did he or is this the way his acts were interpreted
by Prospero and Miranda?
11. Prospero is happy that when Miranda first sees Ferdinand she is immediately
captivated by his appearance? Why? What is his plan?
12. Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love at first sight; Prospero says, “They have
changed eyes.” Why does this seem feasible, given the emotional state of the two
young people?
The Tempest
Questions: Act Two
Answer each question using complete sentences and details from the text to
support you answers.
1. What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role in the plot against
Prospero? Does his behavior seem consistent with how he acts now?
2. Sebastian and Antonio ridicule Gonzalo. What does this tell us about their
characters?
3. What is Gonzalo’s idea of the type of government or life style that could be
possible on this island? Why does he say this at this time?
4. Antonio incites Sebastian to kill his brother and take the crown of Naples. Why?
What does this tell us about Antonio’s motives? What does Sebastian’s response
tell us about him? What could Shakespeare be saying about human nature?
5. Is it surprising that Caliban willingly worships Stephano and desires to give him
control of the island when he resents Prospero for usurping what he considers his
rightful claim to the island? What does this show about Caliban?
The Tempest
Questions: Act Three
Answer each question using complete sentences and details from the text to
support you answers.
1. How has Ferdinand’s and Miranda’s love deepened from their first attraction?
What is Shakespeare suggesting about the true nature of love?
2. What does Caliban hope to accomplish by his plot against Prospero? Why does
Shakespeare include this subplot mirroring the conspiracy of the nobles?
3. How does the apparition of the banquet affect Alonso and his retinue? How is
the banquet used as a symbol? Why aren’t the men allowed to eat the food? Is
this an effective moment for Ariel to accuse them of their sins?
The Tempest
Questions: Act Four
Answer each question using complete sentences and details from the text to
support you answers.
1. How is Ferdinand different from Caliban in his relationship to Miranda? Why
does he pledge to keep her honor safe?
2. Why is Miranda’s virginity so important to Prospero?
3. What is the overall impact of the Masque-like? How is it supposed to affect the
two young lovers? What is its message about the sanctity of the marriage bond?
4. Why does the masque suddenly disappear when Prospero remembers the plot
against him by Caliban and his crew? What is Shakespeare suggesting by
contrasting these two events?
5. How are Stephano and Trinculo distracted from their plot? What does this
show about their natures? What does Caliban think about their behavior?
The Tempest
Questions: Act five
Answer each question using complete sentences and details from the text to
support you answers.
1. Why does Prospero decide to show mercy to his enemies? Why is Ariel the first
to speak of mercy? Do you think Prospero had planned to forgive them from the
beginning?
2. Why does Prospero decide to give up magic? What does his choice show about
what he thinks happened in the past? How does he plan to live in the future?
What has Prospero learned? Has he changed in any fundamental way or had the
change already occurred before the beginning of the action?
3. Are Caliban and Prospero reconciled?
4. Are Alonso, Antonio, and the other conspirators truly sorry for their plot against
Prospero? Has their ordeal on the island changed them?
Act I
1
Which character
says this line?
All lost! To prayers, to prayers, all lost! … Mercy on us! … Farewell, my wife
and children! Farewell, brother!
2
Which character
says this line?
If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay
them … oh, I have suffered with those I saw suffer!
Which character
says this line?
Wipe thou thine eyes … I have with such provision in mine art so safely ordered
that there is no soul—no, not so much perdition as an hair betid to any creature
in the vessel—which thou heard’st cry, which thou sawst sink.
3
Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, thy father was the Duke of Milan
and a prince of power … and thou his only heir and princess …
4
Which character
says this line?
5
Which character
says this line?
He did believe he was the duke … hence his ambition growing … he thinks me
… incapable ….
6
Which character
says this line?
In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to the sea, where
they prepared A rotten carcass of a butt … The very rats Instinctively had quit
it.
7
Which character
says this line?
And now I pray you, sir—your reason For raising this sea storm?
8
Which character
says this line?
All hail, great master! Grave sir, hail! I come To answer thy best pleasure, be
‘t to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curled clouds. To thy
strong bidding, task Ariel and all his quality.
9
Which character
says this line?
Not a hair perished. On their sustaining garments, not a blemish, But fresher
than before.
10
Which character
says this line?
In the deep nook where once Thou called’st me up at midnight to fetch dew
From the still-vexed Bermoothes, there she’s hid.
11
Which character
says this line?
Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, Let me remember thee what
thou hast promised …
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THE TEMPEST
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12
Which character
says this line?
Hast thou forgot The foul witch Sycorax … Thou, my slave … wast then her
servant … she did confine thee … Into a cloven pine … Imprisoned thou didst
remain A dozen years …
13
Which character
says this line?
Pardon, master. I will be correspondent to command And do my spiriting
gently.
14
Which character
says this line?
Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself Upon thy wicked dam, come
forth!
15
Which character
says this line?
T
his island’s mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou takest from me. When
thou camest first, Thou strok’st me and made much of me …
16
Which character
says this line?
I … lodged thee In mine own cell till thou didst seek to violate The honor of my
child.
17
Which character
says this line?
Oh ho, oh ho! Would’t had been done! Thou didst prevent me. I had peopled
else This isle with Calibans.
18
Which character
says this line?
Full fathom five they father lies.
Of his bones are coral made.
Those are pearls that were his eyes …
19
Which character
says this line?
At the first sight They have changed eyes.
20
Which character
says this line?
Thou … hast put thyself Upon this island as a spy to win it from me.
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THE TEMPEST
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Act II
21
Which character
says this line?
Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue!
22
Which character
says this line?
If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say he lies?
23
Which character
says this line?
What a strange drowsiness possesses them!
24
Which character
says this line?
Draw thy sword. One stroke Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest.
And I the king shall love thee.
25
Which character
says this line?
While you here do snoring lie,
Open-eyed conspiracy
His time doth take.
If of life you keep a care,
Shake off slumber and beware.
Awake, awake!
26
Which character
says this line?
Prospero my lord shall know what I have done. So, King, go safely on to seek
thy son.
27
Which character
says this line?
I’ll fall flat. Perchance he will not mind me.
What have we here? A man or a fish? Dead or alive? A fish. He smells like a
fish, a very ancient and fish-like smell … There would this monster make a man
… Legged like a man and his fins like arms!
28
Which character
says this line?
29
Which character
says this line?
Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.
30
Which character
says this line?
These be fine things, an if they be not sprites. That’s a brave god and bears
celestial liquor. I will kneel to him.
31
Which character
says this line?
… the king and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here.
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THE TEMPEST
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Act III
32
Which character
says this line?
No, precious creature. I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you
should such dishonor undergo While I sit lazy by.
33
Which character
says this line?
I’ll to my book, For yet ere supper-time must I perform Much business
appertaining.
34
Which character
says this line?
… ‘tis a custom with him, I’ the’ afternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain
him, Having first seized his books …
35
Which character
says this line?
Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen … and
Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys.
36
Which character
says this line?
But remember … that you three From Milan did supplant good Prospero,
Exposed unto the sea … Him and his innocent child.
37
Which character
says this line?
All three of them are desperate. Their great guilt, Like poison given to work a
great time after, Now ‘gins to bite the spirits.
Act IV
38
Which character
says this line?
Honor, riches, marriage, blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you.
Juno sings her blessings on you.
39
Which character
says this line?
A devil, a born devil on whose nature Nurture can never stick, on whom my
pains, Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost.
40
Which character
says this line?
Let it alone … It is but trash … Let’s alone, And do the murder first. If he
awake … he’ll fill our skins with pinches.
41
Which character
says this line?
At this hour Lie at my mercy all mine enemies. Shortly shall all my labors end,
and thou Shalt have the air at freedom.
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Act V
42
Which character
says this line?
Your charm so strongly works ‘em That if you now beheld them, your affections
would become tender … Mine would, sir, were I human.
43
Which character
says this line?
But this rough magic I here abjure … I’ll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms
in the earth, And deeper than did ever plummet sound I’ll drown my book.
44
Which character
says this line?
Most cruelly Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter. Thy brother was a
furtherer in the act … Sebastian … You brother mine … I do forgive thee,
Unnatural though thou art.
45
Which character
says this line?
I … do entreat Thou pardon my wrongs. But how should Prospero Be living and
be here?
46
Which character
says this line?
O heavens, that they were living both in Naples, The king and queen there!
47
Which character
says this line?
Oh, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous
mankind is! O brave new world That has such people in ‘t!
48
Which character
says this line?
My tricksy spirit! … Thou shalt be free.
49
Which character
says this line?
I’ll be wise hereafter And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass Was I, to
take this drunkard for a god And worship this dull fool!
Which character
says this line?
I’ll … promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious that shall
catch Your royal fleet far off. My Ariel, chick, That is thy charge. Then to the
elements Be free, and fare thou well!
50
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THE TEMPEST
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In The Tempest, there are several characters whose actions and personalities affect the plot and help
to create the imaginative world of the play … yet they never actually appear on stage.
In the table below, three characters from The Tempest are listed. Find direct quotes from the play
that tell us about these characters and then write how they affected the action, plot, or characters in
The Tempest.
Sycorax
(Caliban’s mother)
Claribel
(King Alonso’s daughter)
Miranda’s mother
Quotes from the play:
Quotes from the play:
Quotes from the play:
Influence on play:
Influence on play:
Influence on play:
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THE TEMPEST
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The Tempest is one of those “problem” plays. It is neither totally comedic nor completely tragic, but
it has elements of both. When the First Folio was published in 1623, Shakespeare’s plays were
placed in three different groupings: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies.
The Tempest was placed with the comedies. However, although the play has “spirits,” drunken, silly
characters, and a marriage, it also includes topics such as betrayal, attempted murder, and
enslavement. Scholars later added the category “Romance” to the genres of Shakespeare’s plays,
and that is how this play is now identified.
Which elements in The Tempest are comedic and which are tragic? Complete the table below with
events and characters to shows why it is indeed a “problem” play!
Comedic elements in The Tempest
Tragic elements in The Tempest
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THE TEMPEST
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Directions: Read each quote in the chart below. Then paraphrase the quote in your own words, and explain if
you agree or disagree with the statement. Back up your opinions with an explanation from the play or your
own personal life experiences.
Quote from The Tempest
Your Paraphrase
Agree or Disagree—
Why?
“And my trust, Like a good parent, did beget
of him A falsehood … as great As my trust
was, which indeed had no limit …”
“There’s nothing ill can dwell in such a
temple. If the ill spirit have so fair a house,
Good things will strive to dwell with ‘t.”
“Misery acquaints a man with strange
bedfellows.”
“Their great guilt, Like poison give to work a
great time after, Now ‘gins to bite the spirits.”
“We are such stuff As dreams are made on,
and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.”
“A devil, a born devil on whose nature
Nurture can never stick …”
“The rarer action is In virtue than in
vengeance.”
“How beauteous mankind is! O brave new
world, That has such people in ‘t!”
“But oh, how oddly will it sound that I Must
ask my child forgiveness!”
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THE TEMPEST
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