EVERGREEN

ISC
TEACHER’S HANDBOOK
For
The Tempest
Workbook

Latest Edition
JU19
 TEACHER’S HANDBOOK : THE TEMPEST

ACT I, SCENE I

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Gonzalo thinks that the ship cannot sink. The boatswain is not likely to be drowned because
he is destined to be hanged. Since he is not to be drowned, the ship will not sink.
2. The boatswain gets angry because the royal passengers meddle with their work and behave
as if their lives were more important than the crews.
3. Sebastian reacts angrily and curses the boatswain that a horrible disease might inflict him
and disable his throat for shouting at them. Antonio also abuses the boatswain and calls
him a dog and the son of a harlot.
4. Antonio curses the boatswain by saying that he should be hanged for his impudence.
5. It means that Gonzalo, the speaker, does not want to die in the sea. He says he would
prefer to die on the dry land.
6. The boatswain, in angry mood, asks the passengers not to remain on the deck but go back
to their cabins.
7. Gonzalo means to say that even if the ship were as weak as a nutshell. It will not sink
because the boatswain is destined to die by hanging and not by drowning.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) The boatswain speaks these words to Antonio, a royal passenger, who along with others
comes on to the deck and starts giving instructions. He tells him that by their meddling
with their work they are only helping the storm to wreck the ship.
(ii) The boatswain is angry with Antonio for behaving arrogantly and suggesting as if the
crew were not doing their best to save the ship.
(iii) It means that the howling winds, thunder and the stormy waves do not care whether
there is a king on board.
(iv) The boatswain ridicules Gonzalo for saying that there are important persons on board
the ship. He asks him to use his powers to control the storm if he can, and if he cannot,
he should be thankful to the crew that they are still alive.
(v) The boatswain is short-tempered but self-respecting person. He does not want to be
belittled when his men were doing their duties sincerely.
(vi) (a) mar : spoil
(b) assist : help
(c) roarers : winds and thunder
2. (i) Antonio blames the ‘drunken’ crew for the present dangerous situation. The ‘wide-chapped
rascal’, according to him, is the boatswain. Antonio calls him so because he feels that he
is wholly responsible for the present mess.
(ii) Antonio wishes the boatswain to lie drowned till his body has been washed ten times
by the rising and declining tide in the sea.

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [3]

 (iii) Gonzalo says that the boatswain is surely to die by hanging, though every drop in the
ocean should swear to the contrary and open its mouth as wide as possible to swallow
him.
(iv) Antonio is a very short-tempered, abusive and revengeful person. He is proud of his
status and power.
(v) Gonzalo says so because he is afraid of drowning in the sea. He wishes to die on the
dry land.
(vi) (a) cheated of : deprived of
(b) swear : declare on oath
(c) glut : swallow
Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)
Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints :

 a humble and modest person

 not as proud as others

 angry with the boatswain but is not abusive

 remains calmer than others in the face of sure death

 wants to die on dry land

2. Hints :
 the opening scene thematically important

 The tempest brings Prospero’s enemies closer to his island.

 some important characters introduced

 the nature of Antonio, Sebastian and Gonzalo revealed

 makes us curious as to what happens next

ACT I, SCENE II

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Gonzalo put all the necessary things – food, water, clothes and Prospero’s books on magic
and philosophy — into the boat. These things helped Prospero and his little daughter
survive and reach the island safely.
2. Caliban is the half-human son of the witch Sycorax. He curses Prospero as he is no longer
free. Prospero uses him as his slave to carry on hard tasks.
3. Prospero imprisoned Caliban because he tried to outrage the modesty of his daughter
Miranda, and was a danger to his own life.
4. Prospero said that he would be punished with acute pain in the joints and pricks in the
sides. Goblins controlled by him would play tricks on him all night. His body would be as
full of pinches as a honeycomb is full of cellls.

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 5. Ferdinand drew out his sword to fight with Prospero when he was threatened to be
imprisoned by Prospero.
6. Yes, Ariel is of distinct importance in the play. As he is composed of airy and fiery elements,
he is capable of raising storms, thunder and fire, as he does in the opening scene of the
play, on the orders of his master Prospero.
7. Ariel assures Prospero that all the passengers are absolutely unhurt. Not a single hair on
their body is affected, and there is not a single strain on their garments.
8. When Ariel demands freedom, Prospero becomes angry and turns down his request saying
that he cannot be granted freedom before the term of two days is over. It is then that Ariel
reminds Prospero of his past services to him.
9. Ariel remained imprisoned in an open pine tree for a dozen years. No one heard his cries
after Sycorax, the witch who imprisoned him, died since the island had no human habitation.
10. After having listened to Ariel’s song Ferdinand feels calm and peaceful, and gets attracted
by its sweetness.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) Prospero speaks these lines to his daughter Miranda. He tells her how his brother Antonio,
with the help of the king of Milan, ousted him from his dukedom twelve years ago.
(ii) The speaker tells his daughter that he is actually the Duke of Milan whom his brother
ousted him from his dukedom.
(iii) It means that Prospero remained engrossed in the studies of magic and other black arts,
totally oblivious of what was happening around.
(iv) Antonio grew greedy of power. One by one he won over Prospero’s loyal men by hook
or by crook. Thus he gradually had complete hold over the kingdom.
(v) Prospero, the real Duke of Milan, is a generous and kind person. He wants to punish his
enemies but he does not hurt any of them in any way.
(vi) (a) signories : small kingdoms
(b) cast : handed over the reins of
(c) rapt : absorbed
2. (i) Prospero speaks these lines to his daughter Miranda in response to her question as to
why Antonio and his men did not kill them. She wanted to know why they were left in
a boat to drift on the sea.
(ii) Prospero tells Miranda that his enemies did not dare to kill them because the people
were devoted to him and they did not want to take the risk of rebellion.
(iii) Prospero’s enemies – Antonio, Alonso, the king of Milan and their men – put him and his
little daughter Miranda into an old boat and left them to die on the raging sea one night.
(iv) Prospero means to say that his enemies did not kill them as they did not want the whole
affair a bloody one like that.
(v) Antonio got the support of the king of Naples on the condition that Antonio would pay
annual tribute to him besides owing allegiance to him after having removed Prospero
and all that belongs to him from the dukedom.
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [5]
 (vi) (a) wench : girl
(b) foul : wicked
(c) hurried : quickly
3. (i) Caliban speaks these lines to Prospero. Prospero usurped the island by means of his
magical powers. Caliban feels that the island belongs to him.
(ii) Prospero had treated Caliban humanly, when he (Caliban) was uncivilized as a wild animal.
He patted and caressed him. He taught him his language told him about the sun and
the moon.
(iii) In return to Prospero’s kind treatment of him, Caliban had shown him all the resources
of the island – springs, salt-springs, waste land and fertile land.
(iv) It means Prospero patted and cursed Caliban.
(v) Caliban repents of what he has done for Prospero. He feels that by making him his slave
and confining him as a prisoner Prospero has done injustice to him.
(vi) (a) bigger Hight : the sun
(b) qualities : resources
(c) barren : unfertile
4. (i) Caliban is not repentant of his evil deed, that of trying to outrage the modesty of
Prospero’s daughter Miranda. In disgust Prospero calls him ‘hated slave’.
(ii) It was Prospero who tried to make Caliban learn the use of language to express his
thoughts and feelings.
(iii) Prospero means to say that there is something vicious in his (Caliban’s) nature that no
man of good nature can stand.
(iv) Prospero punished Caliban by confining him to a rock by means of his magical powers,
and by ordering him to do many menial tasks.
(v) For ill-treating him Caliban curses Prospero and says that the red plague may kill him
for teaching him his language.
(vi) (a) abhorred : hated
(b) savage : uncivilized, wild
(c) gabble : talk meaninglessly
5. (i) Prospero tells Caliban that he belongs to a vicious race because it is in his nature to do evil.
(ii) Caliban was imprisoned in a rock by Prospero, as he had tried to outrage the modesty
of Miranda, Prospero’s daughter.
(iii) Caliban, according to Prospero, deserves more punishment than mere imprisonment for
he is not repentant for his deed and is disobedient to his master (Prospero).
(iv) It means that though Caliban learnt to speak and express his thoughts, his nature remained
as vicious as before.
(v) Prospero has very bad opinion about Caliban. He feels that Caliban is a wicked fellow
beyond redemption.
(vi) (a) vile : wicked / vicious
(b) abide : tolerate
(c) confin’d : restricted

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 6. (i) Caliban in an angry tone curses Prospero for making him use his language. He wishes
that the red plague might kill him for teaching him his language. In disgust Prospero
calls him ‘Hag-seed’ (witch-brat).
(ii) Prospero asks Caliban to go and bring in wood at once, and be ready for other tasks.
He is angry with him for his rude behaviour and rebellious attitude.
(iii) It means to show reluctance to do something. Prospero asks Caliban if he is unwilling
to do his task.
(iv) Prospero threatens him to afflict him with such cramps as old people suffer from and
with pain in his bones which will make him cry aloud.
(v) Prospero had earlier treated Caliban well. He taught him his language. He told him
about the moon and the sun. He tried to civilize him as much as possible. He patted
and caressed him.
(vi) (a) malice : spiteful creature
(b) rack : afflict
(c) din : noise
7. (i) Prospero calls Ferdinand traitor only to justify his rude behaviour towards him. Actually,
he wants to test his love for his daughter Miranda.
(ii) Prospero wants to imprison Ferdinand by his magic and put him to the task of piling
heavy logs of wood, only to test his love for his daughter.
(iii) Ferdinand does not want to yield to his enemy (Prospero) so easily. So he draws his
sword to fight.
(iv) It means that Prospero will fetter his neck and feet together so that he may not run away
from his imprisonment.
(v) Miranda had praised Ferdinand as some divine spirit as she had never seen such a noble
spirit.
(vi) (a) manacle : fetter/chain
(b) wither’d roots : dried roots
(c) acorn : small nuts
8. (i) Ferdinand loses the strength of his muscles as a result of the magic spell cast on him
by Ferdinand. He can do nothing by his own will.
(ii) Prospero called Ferdinand a traitor earlier only to justify his rude behaviour. Actually, he
wanted to test his (Ferdinand’s) love for his daughter.
(iii) It means that Ferdinand wishes to have a glimpse of this maiden (Miranda) through his
prison window at least once a day.
(iv) Ferdinand had drawn a sword to fight against Prospero because he did not want to yield
to his enemy without giving a fight.
(v) Ferdinand is a sincere and passionate lover. He yearns to have one glimpse of his beloved,
against which the loss of his father, his own deep grief and even the threats of his enemy
(Prospero) matter little.
(vi) (a) spirits : feelings/state of mind
(b) wreck : loss
(c) subd’d : yielded

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [7]

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)
Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Ariel, an aery spirit

 was imprisoned in a pine tree

 rescued by Prospero

 agreed to serve Prospero

 did many useful tasks for him

 raised a storm and fire to bring Prospero’s enemies to him
2. Hints

 Ferdinand and Miranda, sincere lovers

 worshipped Miranda as a deity

 agreed to do whatever Prospero asked him to do

 Miranda read to accept him as his life partner

 proposes him in all innocence
3. Hints

 Caliban, wicked creature

 deformed, ugly

 evil-minded

 tries to rape Miranda

 forgets the favours done to him by Prospero

 loves freedom

ACT II, SCENE I

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Francisco tries to cheer up Alonso by saying that his son Ferdinand may be alive. He
says that he saw him successfully keeping afloat and swimming vigorously to the shore.
2. If Gonzalo were the king of the island he would have a new kind of government. In his
kingdom all men would be idle, and all women would be idle but innocent and pure.
There would be no use of riches, of poverty, no cultivation, no corn, wine or oil.
3. Antonio asks Sebastian to kill Alonso and Gonzalo in a quite subtle way. He approaches
the matter indirectly at first. When Sebastian seems to take the bait, he opens up and
tells him what to do.
4. Antonio says that he does not bother about his conscience. It shows his hard-heartedness.

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 5. Antonio and Sebastian says that they heard a terrible noise that could frighten even the
ears of a monster. It was a deep and distant growl. So sensing some danger, they drew
out their swords.
6. Antonio is a wicked and selfish person. By instigating Sebastian to kill Alonso he wants to
become a sovereign and stop the payment of annual tribute to Alonso. Another misdeed
of his to ridicule Gonzalo for consoling Alonso for the loss of his son.
7. It is Prospero who by his magical powers holds the island in its grip. Through Ariel and
other spirits he has full control over everything.
8. Gonzalo is completely loyal to his master, the king of Naples. Even in a distant land he
does not forget his duties and loyalty. He tries to console the grieving king and does
his best to serve him.
9. Prospero’s magic wins over human conspiracy. Through Ariel Prospero foils the evil plan
of Antonio and Sebastian to kill Alonso. He also controls and puzzles his enemies. His
magic works because it serves the cause of good. Human conspiracies foil before it.
10. Ariel hears the secret planning of Antonio and Sebastian to kill Alonso. In order to fail
their plan, he sings in Gonzalo’s ear. Gonzalo wakes up and calls Alonso, to, wake up.
Thus Ariel plays a good role to save the life of Gonzalo who once helped Prospero and
Alonso.
Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)
1. (i) Antonio speaks these lines to Sebastian. Alonso, the king of Naples, is referred to as
‘your brother’ – Sebastian is Alonso’s brother. He means to say that Sebastian’s brother,
Alonso, looks in his sleep as dead as a lump of earth on which he is lying.
(ii) He suggests to Sebastian to kill his brother and become the king of Naples. He should
also kill his most devoted courtier Gonzalo who may prove to be dangerous.
(iii) Antonio means to say that the other courtiers, excepting Gonzalo who must be killed,
would take to evil promptings and views as naturally as a cat laps milk. That is to say,
they will follow them, being wicked themselves.
(iv) Sebastian responds positively to Antonio’s evil suggestion. He says that he will get
possession of Naples exactly in the way he took over Milan.
(v) Antonio is a wicked and clever person. He has no mercy or compassion in his heart for
anyone.
(vi) (a) steel : dagger
(b) perpetual wink : eternal sleep (death)
(c) upbraid : criticize
2. (i) Sebastian speaks these lines to Antonio. He means to say that the way Antonio got rid
of his brother would be an example for him. He would similarly get rid of his brother
Alonso.
(ii) It means that Sebastian will get hold of the kingdom of Naples the way Antonio got
possession of the dukedom of Milan.

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [9]

 (iii) Sebastian’s ambition is to become the king of Naples. He will fulfil his ambition by killing
his brother, Alonso, the king of Naples.
(iv) Antonio pays the annual tribute to Alonso for having helped him in ousting Prospero
from his dukedom twelve years ago.
(v) Sebastian is as wicked as Antonio. He, too, is ambitious and self-centred. However, we
feel that he is not as cruel as Antonio. He is somewhat reluctant to kill his brother with
his own hands.
(vi) (a) case : situation / matter
(b) precedent : example
(c) love : loving friend
3. (i) Gonzalo speaks these lines to Alonso. He heard a low murmur (Ariel’s buzzing voice in
his ear, The strange murmur made him shout and shook Alonso.
(ii) Antonio and Sebastian had hatched a plot to kill Alonso and Gonzalo. Antonio was to
kill Alonso, and Sebastian, Gonzalo.
(iii) Antonio and Sebastian had drawn out swords to kill Alonso and Gonzalo.
(iv) It means that Gonzalo heard a low murmur. It was a strange sound for him. Actually, it
was Ariel’s buzzing voice in his ear, meant to wake up Gonzalo.
(v) Alonso has asked Gonzalo if he heard a loud noise as claimed by Sebastian and Antonio.
(vi) (a) humming : low murmur
(b) shaked : shook
(c) quit : leave

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Antonio instigates Sebastian to kill Alonso and Gonzalo

 Sebastian agrees to do so, ambitious to become the king of Naples

 shows some reluctance

 Antonio ready to strike Alonso, and Sebastian, Gonzalo

 Ariel foils their evil plot
2. Hints

 Antonio and Sebastian evil-minded

 Antonio a better conspirator

 both hard-hearted, no feelings for any blood relation

 clever and cunning – make up an excuse to save themselves in time

 even Alonso suspicious about their intentions

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 ACT II, SCENE II

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Trinculo finds that the weather has suddenly gone worse and there is neither a bush nor
shrub to take shelter. Then he sees Caliban lying on the floor. He decides to take shelter
under his cloak.
2. Stephano, on hearing Caliban’s voice, asks himself if he has saved himself from being
drowned to be frightened by a four-legged thing, but he says he will not give up.
3. Stephano plans to pour some wine into Caliban’s mouth to cure him of his fits.
4. Trinculo asks Stephano to touch him and speak to him to prove that he is Stephano.
5. Stephano asks Trinculo to come out. Then he says that he will pull him (Trinculo) out by his
hind legs.
6. On seeing Trinculo, Caliban gets frightened. He thinks that Trinculo is another spirit sent by
Prospero to torment him for the delay in bringing wood.
7. The three characters are Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban. They begin to sing and dance as
they are drunk.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) Stephano is surprised to find Caliban with four legs. He does not know that the two legs
belong to Caliban and the two to Trinculo hidden under Caliban’s cloak. He regards him
to be a four-legged monster.
(ii) Caliban thinks that Stephano is a spirit sent by Prospero. When Caliban asks him not to
torture him, Stephano thinks that he is hysterical and talks like a fool. In order to cure
Caliban of his fits, he pours some wine into his mouth.
(iii) Caliban thinks that Stephano is a God and has brought a heavenly drink. Then he takes
oath on the bottle of wine to be loyal to Stephano.
(iv) Stephano thinks that Caliban is suffering from some kind of fever. That is why, Caliban
is shivering and talking meaninglessly.
(v) Trinculo ridicules Caliban for Caliban’s cringing towards Stephano. He calls Caliban a
brainless and ridiculous monster.
(vi) (a) ague : rheumatic pains
(b) tame : under control
(c) present : gift
2. (i) After drinking wine Caliban begins to think that Stephano is a god and he has brought
a heavenly drink.
(ii) Caliban promises to show Stephano the whole island and declares that he will kiss his
feet, for he is a god to him.
(iii) Stephano declares that he will be the king of the island. Caliban reacts happily to his
declaration and is ready to take him to the fountains, and to places where there are
crab-apples and groundnuts and hazel shrubs.

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [11]

 (iv) Stephano wants to put wine into Caliban’s mouth to cure him of his fits.
(v) It means that wine will rid Caliban of his shivering.
(vi) (a) language : tongue to talk
(b) shaking : shivering
(c) chaps : jaws

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Caliban, slow-witted, foolish

 fearful of Prospero’s spirits

 credulous

 comes to look upon Stephano as a god

 behaves foolishly when drunk

 tries to flatter Stephano
2. Hints

 three characters provide comic relief by their talks, behaviour and actions

 Trinculo hiding in Caliban’s cloak

 Stephano’s considering Caliban a monster with four legs

 Stephano’s putting wine into Caliban’s mouth

 Caliban’s taking oath on the bottle of wine, a Bible to Stephano

 Caliban’s worshipping Stephano as a god

ACT III, SCENE I

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. On hearing Miranda and Ferdinand talking lovingly, Prospero feels happy. He wants the two
lovers to be united in marriage. He is happy that his plan is working well in bringing them
together.
2. Ferdinand tells Miranda that he is the prince of Naples. He adds that if his father is drowned,
he may be the king of Naples.
3. Ferdinand’s words of love make Miranda weep. He confesses that he loves her, values and
honours her beyond all limit of whatever exists in the world.
4. Miranda expresses her love for Ferdinand saying that he is the best treasure in her possession.
She declares that she does not desire any companion other than him. If he does not marry
her, even then she would like to serve him as his maid.
5. Prospero wants to be confirmed of the depths of love between Miranda and Ferdinand. So
he secretly hears their conversation.
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 6. Ferdinand is carrying heavy logs of wood to pile at another place as per the instructions of
Prospero.
7. Prospero says in an aside that the poor creature (Miranda) has been infected with the disease
of love.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) The chief reason for Ferdinand to know Miranda’s name is that he wants to make use
of her name in his prayers.
(ii) Miranda said innocently but truly that she did not know any other woman and had seen
only her own face in the mirror. So she could not compare herself to any woman.
(iii) Ferdinand told Miranda that he was a prince, or perhaps a king if his father were not
alive.
(iv) It means that Miranda has not seen any other woman’s face. She has seen only her own
face in the mirror.
(v) Miranda is innocent as well as candid. She does not feel flattered at Ferdinand’s
praises.
(vi) (a) glass : mirror
(b) skillness : ignorance
(c) prattle : talk loosely
2. (i) When Miranda asked Ferdinand if he loved her, Ferdinand asked heaven and earth to
be witness to his declaration of love. He declared that he loved, valued and honoured
her beyond all limit of whatever exists in the world.
(ii) Miranda wept out of excessive happiness to know that Ferdinand loved her dearly.
(iii) Prospero reacted happily. He felt satisfied that his plan to bring the two lovers close was
working well.
(iv) It means that Miranda is in total love with Ferdinand. If Ferdinand refuses to marry her,
she will then serve him as his maid.
(v) Miranda is deeply in love with Ferdinand. She has determined to be near him if not as
his wife, then as his maid. She is devoted, determined and sincere.
(vi) (a) tifling : idle talk
(b) prompt : encourage
(c) fellow : companion
3. (i) Prospero had imposed punishment on Ferdinand only to test his love for Miranda. He
wanted to know what Ferdinand could do and bear for the sake of love.
(ii) The secret desire in Prospero’s mind was that Miranda and Ferdinand should get married,
even though Ferdinand was the son of his enemy.
(iii) Miranda and Ferdinand fell in love at first sight. Miranda thought Ferdinand to be a
heavenly and noble spirit, whereas Ferdinand looked upon her as a goddess.
(iv) It means that Prospero wants to turn now to his magic book because he is yet to perform
a lot of tasks.
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [13]
 (v) Prospero feels happy and satisfied that his plan is working well.
(vi) (a) rejoicing : happiness
(b) book : book of magic
(c) apperataining : relaling to the plan

Long Answer Questions (unsolved)

1. Develop the following hints into your own answer :
 Ferdinand’s praise for Miranda
 Miranda’s declaration of love for Ferdinand
 Ferdinand’s assurance of her love
 Miranda ready to serve him as a maid, if not as a wife
 Prospero hears the conversation to know the depths of their love
2. Develop the following hints into your own answer :
 Ferdinand and Miranda sincere lovers
 Ferdinand not as innocent as Miranda
 Miranda totally devoted to Ferdinand in love
 is ready to serve him even as a maid
 Ferdinand’s assurance of his love to her.

ACT III, SCENE II

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Caliban tempts Stephano to kill Prospero by saying that he will be the king of the island,
and he can then get Prospero’s beautiful daughter as his queen.
2. Ariel plays a sweet tune on his pipe. Attracted by the tune, Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo
begin to follow the invisible Ariel, and postpone their plan to kill Prospero.
3. Stephano and Trinculo get frightened as they think that this is the tune of their song played
by some invisible being for punishing them for their sins.
4. Stephano outwardly pretends to be brave, though he is frightened. Caliban tries to remove
his fear by saying that the island is full of such sweet and harmless sounds.
5. Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban postpone their plan to kill Prospero because they want to
follow the direction of the sweet tune to know who the invisible taborer is.
6. The other two persons on the island are Miranda and Prospero.
7. According to Caliban, the most appropriate time to kill Prospero is the afternoon when
Prospero takes a nap.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) The invisible Ariel, speaking in the voice of Trinculo, confuses Caliban and Stephano who
react angrily, making the whole situation comical and farcical.

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 (ii) Caliban is angry when Trinculo (actually Ariel who speaks like Trinculo) contradicts him
saying that he is lying.
(iii) In an angry mood, Caliban turns to Trinculo and says that he is an impertinent fool in a
multi-coloured garment. He even calls him a mean fool.
(iv) Caliban has instigated Stephano to kill Prospero in his afternoon nap.
(v) Ariel plays a sweet tune which is followed by Caliban and his two associates. Thus he
foils Caliban’s plot to kill Prospero.
(vi) Ariel plays a tune on his pipe and three follow Ariel‘s musical sound. All the three decide
to find out the source of music and after they will go ahead with the plan to kill Prospero.
2. (i) Caliban tells Stephano not to get frightened by the tune, because the island is full of
sweet and mysterious sounds which are harmless.
(ii) Stephano is frightened by the tune of their song played by some invisible being.
(iii) It means that the island is full of mysterious sounds and melodies which are pleasant to
the ear and are harmless.
(iv) Caliban has high opinion of Stephano. He looks upon him as a powerful god who can
kill Prospero.
(v) Caliban has tempted Stephano to kill Prospero by saying that he will become the king
of the island and then he can marry beautiful Miranda, Prospero’s daughter.
(vi) (a) hurt : cause any pain or injury
(b) twangling : producing various sounds
(c) riches : wealth

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Caliban, a wicked conspirator

 clever instigator

 deliberately refers to the beautiful Miranda whom Stephano can make his queen

 knows when to strike Prospero

 love for music and nature makes him human
2. Hints

 Ariel causes confusion and quarrel

 speaks like Trinculo

 makes Caliban and Stephano angry

 Stephano comes to beat Trinculo

 Caliban abuses Trinculo

 Trinculo defends himself in vain
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [15]
 AC III, SCENE III

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Prospero instructed strange shapes to lay the banquet before Alonso and his companions.
The shapes brought several dishes with tasty eatables in them. They placed the dishes on a
table before Alonso and his companions. Then the strange shapes began to dance around
the banquet. Then Ariel, disguised as a harpy, appeared and struck the table with its wings
and in a moment, the banquet vanished.
2. On hearing the voice of Ariel, the three men draw their swords. Ariel calls them fools and
tells them that he and his companions are the agents of Fate. Your swords can inflict no
wound on them as they are hurt-proof.
3. Ariel, in the guise of a harpy, speaks to the three men and accuse them of usurping the
throne of Prospero and exposing him and his little child to the dangers of the sea which
has avenged the wrong done to him. Then he asks them to repent and vow to lead a sinless
life. Then he vanishes.
4. Alonso looks terrified and confused and says what he has heard is inconceivable. It seems
the waves have uttered the name of Prospero and reminded him of his offence. Alonso,
then, goes out, saying that he is going to look for his drowned son in the depth of the sea.
5. Sebastian and Antonio, though upset, show a brave face. Sebastian says that he will face
one devil at a time and goes out. Antonio supports him and follows him out.
6. Alonso means to say that it is inconceivable what he has heard and seen. He is unable to
face the fact that he has been punished with the loss of his son by the divine forces for
doing injustice to Prospero and Miranda.
7. Prospero speaks these words. He means to say that Ariel, in the guise of a harpy, has played
his role very well.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) Prospero was the Duke of Milan. Antonio, his brother, with the help of Alonso, the king
of Naples and his brother Sebastian, ousted him from his kingdom twelve years ago.
(ii) Ariel tells Alonso that the divine powers have punished him by depriving him of his son
for doing injustice to Prospero, and that they are to punish him yet for his evil deed.
(iii) It means that the heavenly powers have not forgotten the treacherous act done by
Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian, and that these powers have now stirred up the sea and
all other creatures against them.
(iv) Ariel performs the role of a harpy very well. He is quite efficient and effective in his role.
(v) Alonso reacts in terror saying that what he has heard is inconceivable. He is unable to
face the fact of the divine powers taking revenge on him. In grief, he goes out.
(vi) (a) supplant : drive out
(b) requit : repaid, punished for the crime
(c) incens’d : infuriated

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 2. (i) Ariel, in the guise of a harpy, reminds Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian how they committed
a sinful deed by ousting Prospero from his dukedom and by leaving him and his small
daughter to perish on the sea in a boat.
(ii) Ariel told the three persons — Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian – to repent sincerely for
the injustice they have done to Prospero and his daughter, and then lead a pure and
sinless life.
(iii) Prospero praises Ariel for playing the role of a harpy perfectly well. He is happy that
Ariel did what he exactly wanted him to do.
(iv) It means that Prospero realises that his magic is not decaying and that all his enemies
are totally lost in bewilderment.
(v) Prosphero is a good master. He praises Ariel when the praise is due. He is satisfied with
the power of his magic.
(vi) (a) charms : magical spells
(b) distractions : bewilderment
(c) fits : desperate state

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Ariel in the role of harpy

 quite efficient
* makes the banquet vanish
* addresses Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian
* reminds them of their evil deed
* asks them to repent and lead a pure life
2. Hints .
* Alonso, a loving father
* grieves over the supposed loss of his son
* is inconsolable
* is puzzled to see strange shapes
* seems to realize his offence after listening to Ariel
* feels guilty

ACT IV, SCENE I

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Iris says that it is Ceres (the Goddess of Earth) who looks after fertile lands which yield many
crops, the grassy mountain slopes, and the river banks, vineyards, etc
2. Juno, the wife of Jupiter, blesses Miranda and Ferdinand with honour, riches and the happiness
of married life. Ceres, the Goddess of Earth, blesses them with plenty of food, well-stocked
barns and granaries. She wishes they were never afflicted with want and scarcity.

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [17]

 3. Prospero comments on the transience of life in general. He remarks that all of us are as
unreal as dreams are, and when we die, there is nothing but eternal sleep.
4. Trinculo and Stephano look at the colourful clothes hung before them by Ariel as a distraction.
Both get attracted by the clothes and forget the plot to murder Prospero.
5. Prospero sends his spirits in the shape of hounds to chase away Caliban and his two
companions.
6. Caliban is annoyed with Trinculo and Stephano’s fondness for the trumpery because they
have forgotten the plot to kill Prospero.
Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)
1. (i) Prospero addresses Ferdinand in the beginning. He means to say that now Miranda
belongs to him.
(ii) Ferdinand has earlier assured him that his love for Miranda would not turn into lust,
because he looks forward to happy married life and lovely children and long life.
(iii) Prospero tells Ariel that he and his inferior companions performed very well their last
task of laying the banquet, making it vanish and Ariel’s warning to the enemies in the
guise of a harpy.
(iv) Prospero orders Ariel to go and bring the crowd of spirits under his control to teach a
lesson to Caliban and his companions.
(v) Prospero is gentle and well-meaning. He is, of course, in a mood to punish those who
play tricks with him.
(vi) (a) worthily : very well
(b) rabble : gang
(c) vanity : pride
2. (i) Prospero was suddenly reminded of the plot hatched by Caliban and his companions
against him. This perturbed him and made him lose his temper.
(ii) Juno blessed Miranda and Ferdinand with honour, riches and happy married life. Ceres
blessed them with plenty of food, and wished they were never afflicted with any want
and scarcity.
(iii) Prospero says that life is transient. He says that all of us are as unreal as dreams are, and
when we die, there is nothing but eternal life.
(iv) Prospero is in a solemn and philosophical mood.
(v) Ariel had lured Caliban and his two companions by playing a sweet tune. He made them
follow the tune to a pond of stinking water. As they were drunk, they began to dance
there.
(vi) (a) vex ’d : troubled, upset
(b) infirmity : weakness
(c) still : stop
3. (i) Ariel said that the three drunken rogues – Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo – behaved
foolishly. They beat the air for blowing into their faces and stamped upon the ground
for touching their feet.
(ii) It means that when Ariel beat his drum, Caliban and his two companions erected their
ears, lifted their eyes and blew out their noses as if they sniffed music.

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 (iiii) Ariel is quite clever. He lures the drunkard rogue with his music. He is devoted to Prospero
and can never think any ill of him, even though he is used as a slave.
(iv) Prospero praises Ariel for playing his role very well. Then he gives some instructions to
him.
(v) Ariel, as instructed, puts on display some cheap gaudy robes before Caliban, Stephano
and Trinculo. Stephano and Trinculo at once get attracted by the clothes, and forget the
plot to kill Prospero.
(vi) (a) charmed : captivated
(b) furzes : prickly plants
(c) frail : weak
4. (i) ‘Them’ refers to Caliban and his two companions, Stephano and Trinculo. They are in a
bad condition, hunted as they are by Prospero’s spirits in the shapes of dogs and hounds.
(ii) The sight of cheap gaudy robes, put on display by Ariel, diverted the attention of Stephano
and Trinculo from the plot to murder Prospero.
(iii) Prospero had asked his spirits to afflict Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo with stiffness and
pain in the joints, contract their muscles with cramps and cover their skin with marks of
pinches, after having hunted them up and down thoroughly.
(iv) Prospero had tormented Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo for having planned to kill him
in his afternoon nap.
(v) It means that Prospero wants Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo to be hunted up and down
thoroughly by his spirits in the shapes of dogs and hounds.
(vi) (a) hunted : chased
(b) labours : efforts, tasks
(c) service : to serve

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints
 Ariel arranges the masque for Miranda and Ferdinand
 Then he puts other spirits to chase away Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo
 puts on display gaudy robes to distract the attention of the drunkard rogues
 carries out every order of Prospero efficiently
2. Hints
 the masque arranged by Ariel, dramatically important
 does not contribute to the action
 three classical figures of Ceres, Iris and Hymen, take part
 supply colour and pageantry

 provides entertainment
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [19]
 3. Hints

 Prospero, a wise old man

 knows the reality of life

 a loving father

 to some extent short-tempered

 punishes his enemies

ACT V, SCENE I

Contextual Questions (Unsolved)

1. Propero feels that his enemies – Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian – have suffered a lot and
are now repentant of their wicked deeds. So he decides to forgive them.
2. Prospero expresses his gratitude to Gonzalo for it was he who helped him and his daughter
to survive by putting in the boat some necessities of life before they were left to drift on
the sea in that boat and die.
3. Prospero reminds Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio how they left him and his little daughter
in an old boat to drift on the sea and die some twelve years ago. It was just by chance that
they reached the island safe and sound.
4. Prospero narrates in brief how he was ousted from his dukedom to prove that he was the
legitimate Duke of Milan.
5. Prospero embraces Alonso first and then takes him and others to his cave and show Ferdinand
(Alonso’s son) playing chess with his daughter, to prove that he is a human being and not
a phantom.

Comprehension Passages (Unsolved)

1. (i) Alonso speaks these lines to Prospero. He means to say that he is not sure if he (Prospero)
is really the Duke of Milan or some illusion to deceive him.
(ii) Prospero tells Alonso that he is the wronged Duke of Milan, and asks him to let him
embrace him to show that he is a living human being.
(iii) Alonso means to say that he hands over to Prospero his Dukedom and seeks his
forgiveness for the wrongs that he did to him.
(iv) Prospero calls Gonzalo his worthy friend and asks him to let him embrace him, who is
venerable old man whose honour is beyond all limits.
(v) Alonso is no more a wicked person. The ‘loss’ of his son has brought about a change in
him. He is now repentant, and frankly admits his guilt.
(vi) (a) trifle : phantom
(b) affliction : distraction
(c) amends : improves

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 2. (i) Antonio and Sebastian had planned to kill Alonso and Gonzalo in their sleep.
(ii) Prospero perceived the danger to his friend Gonzalo. So he sent Ariel to save him. Ariel
saw Antonio and Sebastian draw out their swords. Before they could strike, Ariel sings in
Gonzalo’s ear. Gonzalo wakes up and shakes the sleeping Alonso, who wakes up, too. Thus
Ariel foils the evil design of Antonio and Sebastian.
(iii) Prospero tells Antonio that he forgives him for his past misdeeds and asks him to give him
back his dukedom which he cannot hold back even if he wills.
(iv) It means that Alonso is doubtful about the identity of Prospero. So he asks Prospero if he
is really Prospero he must acquaint them with the details of the means by which he was
saved.
(v) Alonso is in subdued and sorrowful mood.
(vi) (a) preservation : the fact of your saving yourself
(b) wreck’d : whose ship got wrecked on the shore
(c) sharp : brilliant
3. (i) Alonso is in deep grief over the supposed death of his son Ferdinand. Prospero makes
Alonso see his son alive in his cave. It is his wonderful gift to him.
(ii) The maid Alonso refers to is Miranda. He asks Ferdinand if she is the goddess who
separated them and has brought them together again.
(iii) Ferdinand respectfully tells his father Alonso that she (Miranda) is not a goddess, as he
has assumed, but a mortal like them, and she belongs to him.
(iv) Alonso is surprised and happy and declares that he is also her (Miranda’s) father as she is
his daughter-in-law.
(v) The boatswain comes with an unexpected news – that their ship is safe in the harbour. This
delights Alonso and his men.
(vi) (a) sever’d : parted
(b) mortal : a human being
(c) renown : famous
4. (i) Gonzalo put in the boat food, water and other necessities along with some of Prospero’s
books on magic and philosophy. These things helped Prospero and Miranda survive.
(ii) Gonzalo wants the strange but happy turn of events in their life to be inscribed upon the
marble pillars.
(iii) Gonzalo reminds Alonso and others that he had rightly pradicted that if a gallows could
be found on land, this fellow (the boatswain) could not drown.
(iv) Gonzalo is happy and surprised. On seeing the boatswain he becomes sarcastic and then
irritated at his silence.
(v) The news given to Gonzalo by the boatswain is that their ship is absolutely safe and intact,
ready to sail any time.
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [21]
 (vi) (a) prophesied : predicted
(b) gallows : a structure on which one is hanged
(c) blaspheny : showing disrespect for god
5. (i) Setebos, whom Caliban invokes here, is the spirit who was the guide and master of
Caliban’s mother Sycorax, a witch.
(ii) Caliban calls Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian and others as ‘brave spirits’ as he has never seen
them before.
(iii) Caliban is in terror, and means to say that Prospero will surely punish him for plotting
against him with Stephano and Trinculo.
(iv) Caliban refers to Prospero as ‘his master’. He calls him ‘fine’ as he is finely dressed.
(v) Sebastian finds Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo (in gaudy dresses) as strange beings who
can be purchased and brought home as showpieces. So he laughs and reacts cheerfully
on listening to Caliban’s speech.
(vi) (a) brave : beautiful
(b) Spirits : (here) persons
(c) chastise : punish

Long Answer Questions (Unsolved)

Develop the following hints into your own answers :
1. Hints

 Alonso and others suspicious

 Prospero embraces Alonso to prove that he is not a phantom

 reminds Alonso and others of their wrongs done to him years ago

 unites Alonso with his ‘lost’ son

 Alonso and others bewildered at first

 Alonso becomes repentant and seeks forgiveness
2. Hints

 basically good, noble and virtuous

 does not hurt his enemies

 only makes them realize their guilt

 forgiving and generous

 does not disclose Antonio and Sebastian’s plot against Alonso

 respects and values honest and sincere persons like Gonzalo

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Short Answer Questions
ACT I, SCENE I

(a) The opening scene of The Tempest is undoubtedly dramatically quite important. It is the
scene of storm at sea, which at once appeals to us because of suspense and thrill. We learn
from the conversation between different characters aboard a storm - wrecked ship that it is
carrying royal passengers–Alonso, King of Naples, Sebastian, his brother, Ferdinand, his son,
Gonzalo, his devoted courtier, Antonio, the present Duke of Milan, and others. The lives of
the persons on the ship are in imminent danger. That is why, the royal passengers have got
panicky and have a tiff with the boatswain.
The accurate terminology of seamanship is used in the scene. The sence is directly related
to the title of the play. It makes the spectators curious to know what would happen to the
ship and the passengers.
Like a good opening scene, it introduces many important characters, some of whom are to
figure in the play prominently later. It also sheds light on the character traits of the royal
passengers who are mostly selfish, arrogant and rude. Antonio and Sebastian are the most
foul persons who abuse the boatswain unnecessarily.
The scene prepares us for subsequent action in a very befitting manner. Its significance lies
primarily in arousing curiosity and suspense.
(b) The royal passengers on board react quite irresponsibly and arrogantly. They ignore the fact
conveniently that the mariners are doing their best in rescuing the ship. They do not realize
that if their lives are in danger, so are the mariners’. The mariners comply with the orders
of the boatswain sincerely. The boatswain is a responsible person. When he finds that the
royal passengers are only hindering the process of rescue he gets upset. He gets angry at
the rude tone of Alonso and Antonio. So he asks them irritably to go back to their cabins.
At this, Antonio loses his self-control. He calls the boatswain a dog, the son of a harlot and
disrespectful noise maker. Sebastian, Alonso’s brother, curses him. Even Gonzalo’s attitude
towards the boatswain is not justified. He thinks that the boatswain would be executed if
the ship touches the land, somehow.
(c) The tiff between the boatswain and the royal persons is a natural outcome of a panicky
situation. The royal persons lose self-control in face of grave danger to their lives. Alonso’s
caution to the boatswain, however unnecessary, provokes the boatswain as he seems to
harbour some deep-seated resentment against the royalty. His angry words provoke Antonio
and Sebastian. Antonio begins to abuse him. His words–“May you hang, you dog ! May
you hang, you son of a harlot.....’ are inexcusable. Sebastian’s curses are equally bad–’May a
horrible disease afflict and disable your throat for shouting at us !’ Gonzalo, too, provokes
the boatswain by saying, ‘No, this man is to die by hanging.’
Though the boatswain is not totally justifiable in the whole unsavoury tiff, the behavoiur of
the royal personages is inexcusable. Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian are to be blamed for
giving rise to an avoidable, unpleasant situation. They should have trusted the boatswain and
other sailors. They should not have given the impression that the mariners are slack in rescue
operation in any way. The boatswain, too should have ignored their provocative behaviour.

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 ACT I, SCENE II

SET-I
(a) Attracted by the sweet song of Ariel Ferdinand, Alonso’s son, comes close to Prospero’s cell
where Miranda, Prospero’s young and beautiful daughter, happens to see him. She feels
amazed and delighted at the sight. She has never seen such a handsome young man before.
At first she views him as a spirit. Ferdinand also feels surprised and feels that Miranda must
be the goddess of the island. When Ferdinand tells Miranda that he is one of the passengers
on the wrecked ship she feels sympathetic towards him. Miranda also tells him that she is
not a goddess but a normal, plain girl.
Ferdinand informs her that he is a prince and perhaps a king if his father is no more. He asks
Miranda if she is still unmarried. Miranda replies in the affirmative. On hearing this Ferdinand
gets happy and tells her that he would make her the queen of Naples by marrying her.
Apparently, both Ferdinand and Miranda have fallen in love at first sight. Their conversation
is being heard by Prospero who is hiding nearby. Ferdinand’s wish to marry Miranda delights
him but he decides to act tough and test Ferdinand’s love for Miranda before agreeing to
their marriage.
(b) Though Ferdinand-Miranda’s love is sincere and spontaneous, it has to face many hurdles.
Prospero, Miranda’s father, is happy that Ferdinand wants to marry his daughter and make
her the queen of Naples. This is his wish, too. But he decides to test Ferdinand’s love for
Miranda.
Coming out of his hiding place, Prospero speaks harshly to Ferdinand. He calls him spy and
traitor who has come to snatch the island from him. Miranda at once intervenes and defends
him, but Prospero ignores her pleadings. He tells Ferdinand that he is going to fetter his neck
and feet, and that he will drink sea-water and eat shell-fish, dry roots and husks. Ferdinand
draws his sword in his defence. Prospero benumbs him at once with his magic. He rebukes
Miranda for defending a traitor. Then he sets Ferdinand to the heavy task of piling logs of
wood. Ferdinand, unable to move at will, decides to submit meekly, at least for Miranda’s
sake.
(c) Ferdinand-Miranda’s fascination for each other is indeed an instance of idyllic love between
two simple, youthful lovers. It is love at first sight, which often proves to be shallow and
even lustful in many instances. But Ferdinand-Miranda’s love is instant, spontaneous, deep
and passionate. Ferdinand is a true lover and his intentions become clear at the outset.
He proposes marriage to Miranda and make her the queen of Naples in case he is a king.
When he is enslaved by Prospero, he readily submits himself to the harsh test set to him by
Miranda’s father, solely for Miranda’s sake. He later assures Miranda’s father Prospero, that
he will not take advantage of the privacy and allow his sense of honour to yield to lust.
Miranda’s love for Ferdinand is also true and deep. She feels deeply for Ferdinand who has
already suffered a lot. She tries to lighten his task in every possible way. She is ready to marry
him, and if he does not consider her to be his wife, she is even ready to be his maid. She
swears by her modesty that she desires no other companion than he.
Thus, the love between Ferdinand and Miranda is romantic but sincere and pure.

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 SET-II
(a) Caliban is a deformed creature. He is the son of a witch and is basically a creature below the
human level. He is controlled by Prospero by his magical powers. He is evil-minded and a
sort of villain. We feel revulsion for him when we come to know that he has tried to rape the
innocent Miranda.
Caliban considers himself to be a victim. He feels that he is the lawful owner of the island
which Prospero has usurped. He is full of resentment because he is used as a slave by
Prospero in bringing fuel-wood and doing other menial tasks. So he obeys Prospero quite
unwillingly.
He is quite rude and abusive. He admits that Prospero has been kind to him at first. He
admits that it is he who taught him the language of human beings. But now he uses the
same language to abuse and curse him.
It becomes clear that Caliban is vicious by nature. When Prospero reminds him of his rape-
attempt on Miranda, he feels no guilt. Instead of feeling ashamed of his sinful act, he says
abashedly that if he had succeeded in his attempt he would have begotten many children
by his union with Miranda. No wonder, Prospero has now only the feelings of hatred and
revulsion for him.
(b) Caliban’s grievance against Prospero and Miranda is that they have dispossessed him of
the island which rightfully belongs to him. Before their coming to the island, he was its sole
master. Now he has been made a slave. He has been confined to a rock. He is forced to do
such menial jobs as fetching wood.
Prospero reminds Caliban why he has been imprisoned and enslaved. At first he treated
him with kindness and sympathy. He put him in his own cell. As he was unable to express
his thoughts and feelings, he (Prospero) taught him the use of language so that he could
express what was in his mind. However, he had vicious nature that was beyond redemption.
That is why, he tried to rape Miranda. This evil act was responsible for his present plight.
The way Caliban responds to Prospero’s accusation makes it clear that he is villainous and
evil-minded. His charges against Prospero are false in the context. Had he behaved properly
Prospero would not have treated him like a slave.
(c) Scene II in the First Act is really significant. In this long scene Shakespeare narrates all that
has happened before. The scene also gives hints about what can be logically expected.
The conversation between Prospero and his daughter is used to provide a missing link–as
to why they are on an isolated island. Prospero was the Duke of Milan who was ousted from
his dukedom by his brother Antonio out of greed and ambition. Thus, a connection between
this scene and the previous one is made.
The scene also introduces the word of magic and enchantment. Ariel and Caliban belong to
this world. Both are controlled by Prospero by his magical powers. It is Ariel, we learn, who
has caused the ship-wreck on Prospero’s orders. Caliban, a vicious being, is employed by
Prospero to fetch wood and do other tasks.
The scene is also significant as it introduces the romantic love of Ferdinand and Miranda,
adding a sweet note to the play.
Thus, Scene II of the Ist Act combines different strands of the play quite skilfully and serves
as a good exposition of the play.

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 ACT II, SCENE I

SET-I
(a) Gonzalo remarks, after he and other persons safely touch the land, that their garments are
as fresh and bright as they were when worn first at the marriage of Alonso’s daughter to the
King of Tunis. It is from his remark that we learn that King Alonso and others are coming
from Tunis in Africa. It is clear that the party had gone to Tunis to attend the marriage
ceremony of Alonso’s daughter that took place at Tunis.
Sebastian’s remarks, addressed to his brother Alonso, reveal that they were not happy
at Alonso’s decision to marry off his daughter to King of Tunis. Even Alonso’s daughter
continued to waver for long between obeying her father and following her wish (not to
marry King Tunis). Reluctantly, all agreed to accompany King Alonso to Tunis. Their ship got
stuck in the storm when they were on their way back to Naples.
Sebastian’s anger and resentment against Alonso is that many men have drowned as a result
of the tempest. Had they not gone to Tunis they would not have to face such a calamity.
Alonso agrees that it is he who is to blame for the tragedy but he himself is the most sufferer
since his own son Ferdinand, as he believes, is drowned.
(b) On Prospero’s orders Ariel sends all the lords, except Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian, to sleep.
After a while, Alonso also goes to sleep on the assurance that Antonio and Sebastian will
stand guard. Seeing him asleep, Antonio harbours a vicious idea of getting rid of Alonso
and Gonzalo, his faithful lord, in order to enjoy sovereignty and free himself from paying
annual tribute to Alonso. Very subtly he sows the seeds of rebellion in Sebastian’s mind. He
openly asks him to kill his brother (Alonso) and become the King of Naples. He tells him that
there is no danger in executing this plan into action since Ferdinand is drowned and Alonso’s
daughter is married off and she cannot come back soon from Tunis, a distant place.
Sebastian recalls how Antonio himself ousted and expelled his brother. He asks Antonio if
his conscience pricks him, Antonio says that his conscience never bothers him. So Sebastian
agrees to put into action Antonio’s plan. Seeing Sebastian somewhat reluctant to kill his
brother, Antonio says that he himself will attack his brother and he (Sebastian) should put
an end to Gonzalo’s life. They draw out swords to execute their vicious plan.
(c) It is Ariel who puts all the lords to sleep by his sweet music. He overhears the treacherous
plan hatched by Antonio and Sebastian against Alonso, the King of Naples, and his faithful
lord Gonzalo. Ariel, in an aside, reveals that his master Prospero has already come to know
by his magic the danger which threatens Gonzalo who had been Prospero’s well-wisher.
He feels that he has therefore sent him to preserve the lives of both Gonzalo and Alonso,
because otherwise his scheme would come to nought.
So Ariel begins to sing a song in Gonzalo’s ears. Gonzalo suddenly wakes up and seeing
Sebastian and Antonio with their swords drawn shouts to awake Alonso. He asks Sebastian
and Antonio why they have drawn the swords. Alonso wakes up and asks what the matter
is. Sebastian makes an excuse that they have drawn their swords on hearing a sudden and
loud noise like the roaring of bulls or perhaps of lions. Antonio also sides with him. Thus,
Ariel is able to foil the evil of plan of the two villains.

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 SET-II
(a) Alonso, king of Naples, is in a sorrowful mood as he believes that he has lost his only son
Ferdinand. He does not like Gonzalo’s attempt to console him. That is why, he tells him
that he forces his words into his ears and make him listen to them against his will. Then
he expresses the wish that he should not have married his daughter in Tunis. His sorrows
multiply as he feels that he has lost his only son and even his daughter who is far away from
Italy and cannot come back again.
At this point, one of his courtiers, Francisco tries to cheer him up with hopeful words. He says
that Ferdinand (Alonso’s son) may be alive. He adds that he saw him successfully keeping
afloat and struggling against waves. Ferdinand, he says, used his legs to keep afloat and to
swim through the water towards the land, flinging aside the waves with the backward sweep
of the arm. He kept his head above the waters and propelled himself with arms as oars. He
continued to swim vigorously to the shore. In an assertive tone, Francisco says that he has
no doubt that Ferdinand must have reached the shore alive.
Alonso fails to be encouraged even by these hopeful words of Francisco, and says that
Ferdinand is gone for ever.
(b) It is clear from the way each of them, Antonio and Sebastian, behaves that Antonio is more
villainous than Sebastian. Sebastian is evil-minded, no doubt, yet he is not as completely
heartless as Antonio. First of all, it is Antonio who gives the idea to Sebastian of killing his
brother and becoming in his place the king of Naples. Antonio does not reveal his vicious
plan at once. He speaks in a veiled and indirect manner in order to probe Sebastian’s mind.
When he is certain that it not risky to reveal his plan that he puts his plan in clear terms.
Sebastian gets tempted by the idea of becoming the king. At first, Antonio asks Sebastian
to kill Alonso as he will strike down Gonzalo. Sebastian asks why they should kill Gonzalo
unnecessarily. It reveals that he is not completely inhuman. He even asks Antonio if Antonio’s
conscience does not ever prick him. Antonio’s reply reveals how cruel he is. When Antonio
feels that Sebastian may not be able to kill his own brother, he reverses the plan. He asks
Sebastian to kill Gonzalo while he himself will put an end to Alonso’s life.
Thus, it is clear that Antonio is more evil-minded, cruel and inhuman than Sebastian.
(c) Claribel is Alonso’s daughter. She is married to the King of Tunis. She lives in Tunis which is
very far away from Naples. Antonio, while instigating Sebastian to kill Alonso in his sleep,
believes that Claribel cannot be a danger to him if he kills her father and usurps his throne.
Antonio tells Sebastian that Claribel lives ten leagues beyond the point a man could arrive
at by travelling all his life. Moreover, there are no means for her to have any information
from Naples, unless the sun were her postman because the moon is too slow in her journey.
Claribel has no chance of getting any information of happenings in Naples, just as new-born
babies can have no beards needing a shave.
When Sebastian reveals his doubts, Antonio re-assures him that the distance separating Tunis
and Naples is so long that every small stretch of it seems to proclaim that Claribel can never

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 traverse that distance in a short time. Ferdinand, Alonso’s son, is already drowned, and there
is no danger from Claribel, the only heir to the throne of Naples. So Sebastian should take
heart and go ahead in killing Alonso to take his place as the king of Naples.

ACT II, SCENE II

SET-I
(a) Stephano, a butler of king Alonso, is not in his right senses as he has drunk too much.
When Stephano looks at Caliban he is surprised. He finds that this is a strange creature
with four legs. He fails to notice that the two legs belong to his friend Trinculo who is
hiding under Caliban’s cloak. In his inebriated state he begins to talk and sing loudly.
Trinculo recognizes Stephano’s voice. He comes out, and both the friends are happy to
meet each other. Then Stephano puts some wine into Caliban’s mouth. Caliban feels
so elated by the wine that he begins to look upon Stephano as a god. He promises to
become Stephano’s devoted slave and show him all the wonderful places of the island.
Stephano feels happy that he would become the king of this uninhabited island. All
through their talks, Trinculo’s attitude towards Caliban is scornful, as Caliban completely
ignores him while talking to Stephano. Caliban, then, asks Stephano to follow him and
see the wonderful places on the island.
(b) Caliban is controlled by Prospero by his magical powers. Prospero’s spirits torment him in
several ways when he fails to perform his duty diligently. In fact, Caliban is full of anger,
resentment and hatred for Prospero as he believes that Prospero has dispossessed him of
his island and made him his slave. He is quite reluctant to obey his orders in fetching fuel-
wood and doing other menial jobs. For all this, he curses and abuses Prospero.
However, Caliban is helpless before Prospero’s powerful spirits. On Prospero’s orders the
supernatural spirits pinch him, frighten him with goblin appearances. Sometimes they
throw him into muddy pools or lead him astray like a will-o-the-wisp. Sometimes they make
mouths at him and chatter like monkeys and bite him. Then they also sometimes assume
the shapes of hedgehogs and roll on his path when he is barefoot and prick him with their
bristles at the sound of his footsteps. Sometimes they assume the shapes of huge adders
and twine themselves around him and hiss at him with their forked tongue and make him
mad with fear.
Though Caliban is harassed and tormented greatly, he does not give in. He continues to rebel
against Prospero in one way or the other.
(c) On seeing Trinculo, Caliban first thinks that Trinculo is one of Prospero’s fairies who has
come to punish him for bringing in fuel-wood slowly. In fear he lies down on the ground.
Trinculo looks at Caliban and regards it as a strange creature-a fish as well as a man. When
the storm begins to blow, he takes shelter in Caliban’s cloak. Soon thereafter, Stephano,
drunk, appears on the scene. Looking at the four legs under the cloak he thinks that there
is a strange creature with four legs. On hearing his companion Stephano’s voice, Trinculo
comes out. Both Trinculo and Stephano make fun of Caliban. Stephano puts some drops of
wine into Caliban’s mouth. Caliban gets affected.

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 Caliban comes to believe that Stephano is some noble god with some heavenly drink.
He takes oath on the wine bottle and declares that he will be his loyal subject. He asks
him if he has dropped from the sky. Stephano says that he has dropped from the moon.
Caliban, then, promises to show him the whole island. Then very cleverly, he mentions
Prospero and asks him to kill him and become the owner of the island and he will
continue to be his slave.
SET-II
(a) Caliban is sent to bring fuel wood. He goes out to carry out the order of Prospero. As
he collects the fuel-wood he begins to curse Prospero. He shows his fear of the spirits
commanded by Prospero.
As Caliban is talking to himself, he suddenly sees Trinculo coming towards him. Trinculo is
a jester by profession and is separated from his companion Stephano, Alonso’s butler. Both
Trinculo and Stephano are members of Alonso’s party. The sudden appearance of Trinculo
frightens Caliban. He thinks that Trinculo is a spirit sent by Prospero to torment him. In order
to evade being noticed he lies down flat on the ground.
Trinculo who has seen clouds gather in the sky fears that another storm is about to blow. He
is looking for a shelter. His eyes fall on Caliban. He fails to decide what this strange looking
creature could be. He asks himself of it is a fish. Then he thinks that this creature is a native
of the island and is now dead. As the sky now grows dark, he hides himself under the cloak
of the strange creature whose identity has puzzled him. Thus, he escapes from the storm.
(b) Caliban feels that Trinculo and Stephano are the spirits sent by Prospero to torture him. He
pleads not to hurt him. Stephano, who is drunk, remarks that Caliban is hysterical and talks
like a fool. In order to cure him of his ailment, Stephano asks him to open his mouth and
then pours some wine into it.
After having drunk some wine for the first time in his life, Caliban gets somewhat intoxicated.
He tells himself that Trinculo and Stephano are good fellows. He thinks that Stephano must
be a god, and he should kneel down before him. On being asked to swear by the wine bottle,
Caliban takes the oath to be his loyal subject for the drink is something divine. Then in an
inebriated state he asks Stephano if he had come from the heaven. Stephano remarks in a
funny way that he has come from the moon. Caliban agrees with what he says, and adds that
he saw him on the moon. He is ready to worship him on the earth. Then he informs Stephano
that his mistress (Miranda) showed him Stephano, his dog and his brush in the moon. He is
eager to please Stephano in every possible way.
(c) Caliban, in an intoxicated state of mind, having drunk some wine, comes to look upon
Stephano as a god. He is anxious to please him. He tells him that he is ready to worship him.
He says that he will show him every piece of fertile earth on the island. He will show him the
best fountains. He will fetch for him berries and catch fish for him. He will supply him with
sufficient firewood.
Suddenly Caliban is reminded of his master Prospero whom he curses and calls him a tyrant.
He tells Stephano that he will no longer carry him (Prospero) his wood any more. He calls

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 Stephano a wonderful man, and promises to obey him. He pleads with Stephano to let him
take him to where crab-apples grow. He says he will dig out ground-nuts with his nails. He
promises Stephano to show him the jay’s nest and teach him how to entrap the bushy-tailed
monkey. Then he says that he will take Stephano to the hazel shrub, and will get him young
seagulls from the rock.
Thus, Caliban tries to please Stephano and is happy that he has found a new master.

ACT III, SCENE I

(a) Miranda and Ferdinand offer an instance of an idyllic love between two simple and trusting
youthful lovers. The love that develops between them is no doubt sudden and comes to
infatuation, and yet it is much more than transient attraction.
When Miranda and Ferdinand see each other for the first time, they fall in love at first sight.
Prospero, Miranda’s father, is inwardly happy at this development, but he wants to test
Ferdinand’s sincerity in love. So he imposes upon Ferdinand some punishment. Ferdinand
is to carry logs of wood from different places and pile them at one place. It is a tough, and
degrading job. Ferdinand performs this tedious task for the sake of his love for Miranda. He
says that the thought of Miranda’s beauty and sweetness makes his job easy.
Ferdinand reveals his identity and tells Miranda that he is a prince and most probably a king
because his father is supposed to have been drowned. When Ferdinand tells her that he
values her beyond anything else in this world, Miranda begins to weep. When Ferdinand
asks her why she is weeping, she replies that she weeps due to her inability to give him what
she wants to give him. She spontaneously tells him that she is ready to become his wife if
he marries her and if he does not wish to marry her, she would become his maidservant for
life. Ferdinand tells her that he is willing to marry her.
We feel that the love between Miranda and Ferdinand is real, deep and genuine. Both are
generous, trusting and innocent.
(b) Ferdinand, following the direction of Ariel’s sweet song arrives at the place close to Prospero’s
cell. Miranda is amazed to see him as she has seen no human being other than Prospero
of the deformed creature Caliban. She thinks that Ferdinand is a spirit while Ferdinand
thinks that she is the goddess of the island. She tells him that she is not a goddess. She is
normal, plain girl. This delights the heart of Ferdinand. Ferdinand tells her that he is a prince
and perhaps a king if his father is no more. Both fall in love with each other at first sight.
Prospero watches them secretly and is happy as he wants them to fall in love with each other.
Fedinand promises to make Miranda the queen of Naples.
Prospero wants to test Ferdinand’s love for his daughter. So he pretends to be angry with
him. He calls Ferdinand a traitor who has come to take possession of his island. He threatens
to imprison him. When Ferdinand tries to resist, he casts a magic spell on him and renders
her powerless. Miranda tries to convince her father that such a handsome person can never
be an evil-minded person, but Prospero ignores her pleas. Prospero sets Ferdinand on the
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 heavy task of carrying and piling logs of wood. Miranda consoles Ferdinand in the absence
of her father. Ferdinand says that he does not mind his imprisonment if he gets the chance
of seeing Miranda just once a day.
(c) It is Ferdinand who describes Miranda as ‘perfect’ and ‘peerless’. There is no doubt that this
is the assessment of a person who is deeply in love. For a lover, his beloved is always ‘perfect’
and ‘peerless’.
If we consider Miranda’s character in the context of the play we realize that Ferdinand is quite
right in judging Miranda. Miranda has almost all the qualities that a woman should possess.
She is, first of all, beautiful, graceful and dignified. Whoever sees her cannot help without
praising her. Ferdinand’s father, later in the play, is deeply struck by her charms. She is indeed
a divine figure. Moreover, she has a pure heart. She is above all kinds of hypocrisy. deceit
and falsehood. She is loving and trusting. She is totally in love with Ferdinand. She has full
faith in him. She is quite tender and sympathetic. At any sight of suffering she feels upset. In
the very first scene, she feels for the passengers aboard the sinking ship struck in the storm.
She suffers intensely when she finds Ferdinand working hard like a slave. She offers to share
his hard labour.
She is, thus, an embodiment of all those qualities which makes a person deserve the epithets
of ‘perfect’ and ‘peerless’.

ACT III, SCENE II

SET-I
(a) Caliban is full of hatred for his master Prospero. He tells Stephano that Prospero has deprived
him of his island by means of his knowledge of magic. He has been enslaved to work under
him (Prospero).
Caliban’s claim to the island is due to the fact that he is the illegitimate son of a witch
named Sycorax. Before Prospero’s arrival, it was Sycorax who ruled over the island, and
was its sole possessor. Prospero came and began to rule over it. Caliban conveniently
forgets in dubbing Prospero a tyrant that he treated him very kindly in the beginning.
He began to treat him badly only after he has made an attempt on the modesty of his
daughter Miranda.
Caliban wants freedom, that is why, he tries to flatter Stephano, and tries to persuade him to
kill Prospero. It is ironic that in his blind hatred for Prospero he accepts slavery of Stephano,
his new master. He is ready to serve Stephano but not Prospero who once made a sincere
attempt to make him a civilized being.
(b) Caliban is greatly impressed by the powers of Stephano. He looks upon him as some
god, and comes to believe that it is he who can kill Prospero. Therefore, he tells him
that Prospero has magic powers and has many spirits at his command. If Stephano
kills him, he can become the owner of the island. He assures him that he will serve
him faithfully.
In order to do away with Prospero, Caliban tells a plan to Stephano. He tells him that
Prospero is in the habit of going to sleep in the afternoon. At that time Stephano can kill him
easily. First, he should take possession of all the books of Prospero, for without his books
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 Prospero is weak and helpless and powerless. Caliban adds that all the spirits hate Prospero.
In order to tempt Stephano to put his plan into action, Caliban refers to the beauty of
Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. He tells Stephano that if he kills Prospero he can take Miranda
as his wife.
In his drunken bravado Stephano declares himself the king and Prospero’s daughter as his
queen. He says proudly that he would appoint Caliban and Trinculo as his deputies. Caliban
again reminds him that he must kill Prospero during his nap.
(c) Ariel hears the conversation between Caliban and Stephano. He decides to foil their plan
to kill Prospero by intervening and confusing the trio-Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo. So
when Caliban claims that Prospero has robbed him of this island, he in the voice of Trinculo
says, “You are lying. This island was never your property.’’ Caliban gets angry and addresses
Trinculo, saying that it is he who is lying, adding that if he lies again his master (Stephano)
will kill him. When Stephano warns Trinculo against lying, Trinculo is surprised and says that
he has uttered no words.
When Caliban tells Stephano that he can kill Prospero in his afternoon sleep, Ariel again in
the voice of Trinculo says, ‘‘You are again telling a lie. You cannot do so’’. Caliban is highly
upset on hearing these words, and asks Stephano to beat the rude fellow. When he begins
to elaborate his plan, Ariel again intervenes. Stephano gets provoked and begins to beat
Trinculo. Trinculo curses both Stephano and Caliban.
Then Ariel plays a sweet tune. Drawn by the music, the trio – Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban
– begins to follow the invisible Ariel who takes them to a stinking pool.
SET-II
(a) Caliban asks Stephano to kill Prospero and become the king of the island. He assures him
that he will serve him faithfully and devotedly. He discloses to Stephano that Prospero is in
the habit of going to sleep in the afternoons. At that time Stephano should kill him. But first
he should take possession of Prospero’s books, because without his books Prospero becomes
totally weak and helpless.
In order to tempt Stephano to put into action his plan, Caliban refers to the beauty of
Prospero’s daughter Miranda. After killing Prospero, Stephano can take Miranda as his
wife. The description of Miranda’s beauty makes Stephano declare that he will certainly kill
Prospero. In his drunken bravado he declares himself the king and Prospero’s daughter as
his queen. He says proudly that he would then appoint Caliban and Trinculo as his deputies.
Caliban who is quite eager to kill Prospero reminds him that in the course of half an hour
Prospero will fall asleep. He asks him pointedly if he will put an end to his life then. Stephano
swears that he will certainly do it.
(b) In order to attract the attention of the three conspirators against Prospero – Caliban,
Stephano and Trinculo – Ariel plays a tune on a tabor and pipe, remaining invisible. Trinculo
is startled and says that this is the tune of their song. He is terrified, and so is Stephano.
Stephano challenges the musician to appear in his true shape if he were a man and appear
in any shape if he were devil. Trinculo prays to God to forgive him his sins.

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 Caliban asks Stephano if he is afraid. Stephano denies being afraid, though he clearly is.
Then Caliban explains the presence of voices in the island. He says that the island is full of
such mysterious voices which are pleasant to hear. He answers his friends that these voices
are harmless. He adds that sometimes he hears the music made by a number of stringed
instruments. Sometimes unearthly voices lull him to sleep again even after he has had a
sound sleep and then in a dream the clouds seem to part and show treasures ready to drop
on him. So when he wakes up again he longs to fall asleep and have the dream once again.
Thus, Caliban tries to dispel the fear about voices in the minds of his friends.
(c) The whole scene brings out the wickedness of Caliban clearly. It is he who hatches the
conspiracy against Prospero. Stephano and Trinculo have no real interest in his plan. That
Caliban is blind in his hatred for Prospero is clear when he provides minute details about
Prospero’s routine in order to enable Stephano to kill him when he is weak and helpless. He
persuades Stephano to kill Prospero in his afternoon sleep.
Caliban is a thorough villain. He has no compassion in his heart. He lures Stephano to the evil
act of murder by referring to the beauty of Miranda, Prospero’s daughter. He tells Stephano
that he can take Miranda as his life after killing Prospero and becoming the owner of this
island. He so describes the beauty of Miranda that Stephano gets tempted at once and
shows his willingness to kill Prospero for Miranda’s sake.
Caliban forgets how Prospero treated him kindly in the beginning. He does not care to realize
that he is himself responsible for his plight. Had he not made an unsuccessful attempt on
the modesty of Miranda, Prospero would not have deprived him of his liberty and he would
have been his favourite. But true to his nature, he repeats wicked, villainous acts. He proves
by his evil plan to kill his master that he is beyond redemption.

ACT III, SCENE III

(a) Ariel in the guise of the harpy – a monster having the face of a woman and the body and
claws of a bird of prey-appears after the banquet disappears. He declares that Alonso,
Sebastian and Antonio are sinners, and that it was Destiny which brought them here. He
says that these three persons are unfit to live. On hearing these words, Antonio and others
draw their swords. However, Ariel reminds them that no sword can harm a spirit like him.
Ariel then reminds the three sinners of their offence. They did a grievous wrong to Prospero
and his daughter several years ago. Consequently Alonso has been deprived of his son
under the order of the Fate. Alonso would have to suffer for the rest of his life. The other
sinners would also be punished in the same manner. After having said these words, Ariel in
the shape of harpy disappears. The roar of thunder once again heard. The strange shapes
appear once again, make faces at Alonso and his companions and depart with the table they
have brought before.
(b) On hearing the words of the harpy, Alonso feels penitent and remorseful. He feels frightened,
and is sure that he has lost his son for ever. He thinks that life is no longer worthliving. He
leaves the place in utter shock. Sebastian who is shocked too declares that he is not afraid
and that he is ready to fight any monster. Antonio, too overpowers the feeling of shock and
says that he will support Sebastian in the fight against the monsters. Then Sebastian and
Antonio go out. Apparently, all the three feel guilty.
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 Gonzalo understands the real state of mind of the three. He tells those who are present that
all three of them-Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio - are in a desperate mood. The thought of
the heinous crime has begun to torment them. He asks Adrian to go out and prevent them
from doing anything desperate. Adrian and others go out to look for Alonso, Sebastian and
Antonio.
The reaction of Alonso and the other two conspirators is natural. Prospero is able to make
them feel guilty. Though Alonso feels remorse, Sebastian and Antonio do not feel.
(c) From this scene (Act III, Scene III) it becomes clear that king Alonso is now quite weak in
spirits. He has become hopeless and cheerless. He believes that his only son Ferdinand was
no more. No words of consolation of Gonzalo and others make him hopeless. He feels bodily
weak and gets tired soon.
Like any other person in his party Alonso, too, feels over-awed and confused at the sight of
strange shapes that appear before him. He prays to God to protect them. He refuses to eat
the food left by the spirits (sent by Prospero). That he is not timid becomes clear when, like
Sebastian, he too draws his sword when Ariel speaks to him and others as harpy.
The words of harpy (a monster with woman’s face) confuse and terrify Alonso. He is the first
who feels guilty to recall his offence in ousting Prospero from his dukedom. He feels that he
has been punished for this offence.
In short, Alonso is not as hard-hearted as Antonio or Sebastian. His love for his son is deep
and sincere. Nothing seems to cheer him up when he (Ferdinand) is dead and gone, as he
thinks.

ACT IV, SCENE I

SET-I
(a) The masque in which supernatural beings – Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, and Ceres, the
goddess of agriculture, and Juno, the wife of Jupiter and others – take part is arranged by
Prospero at the engagement of Ferdinand and Miranda to entertain them.
This masque is essentially a part of the comic structure of the play. It has a specific and
significant purpose. It is not superfluous. The love-episode involving Ferdinand and Miranda
has been made real and natural by the addition of the masque in the play. The masque also
helps in furthering the development of this love episode. The romantic episode will reach
its climax when Ferdinand’s father Alonso showers his blessings on the young lovers.
The masque is in tune with the general atmosphere of the play. Prospero, the great magician,
has acquired powers over the supernatural spirits and gets all his tasks done with the help
of his spirits. The whole play is dominated by the supernatural machinery, headed by Ariel.
Now, the masque arranged by Prospero involves goddesses and nymphs.
Thus, the masque is a significant part of the play. It provides the essential comic relief. It
helps build up a romantic atmosphere, essential in a dramatic romance like The Tempest.
It also helps in the development of love episode. So it cannot be viewed as superfluous or
irrelevant.
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 (b) At the end of the masque, Prospero asks Ferdinand and Miranda to leave him alone. He
summons Ariel and asks him to get ready to thwart Caliban’s plot and punish him suitably for
his evil design. Ariel tells his master how he has already carried away the three conspirators
through bushes, thorns and shrubs into filthy pond situated beyond Prospero’s cell. This he
has done by his luring music. Prospero listens to him and then praises him for all that he
did. Then he asks him to go and bring from his cell some gaudy and cheap garments lying
there. He will be able to punish the three evil fellows with the help of these clothes.
When Ariel goes away, Prospero, in a soliloquy, gives vent to his feelings about Caliban. He
says that Caliban is really a devil, a devil from his very birth. A good upbringing cannot mend
his nature. He has taken great pains to make him a good fellow, but to no avail. As Caliban’s
body becomes more and more ugly with the years and his mind becomes more and more
malicious. Prospero decides to torment Caliban and his two associates.
After a while, Ariel returns with some bright and shining garments which are of little value.
Prospero asks him to hang the garments on a line. Ariel obeys his master. Then both stay on,
invisible to human eyes, in the hope that Caliban and his companions will come here soon.
(c) When the masque is at its peak, Prospero is suddenly reminded of the conspiracy hatched
by Caliban with his associates Trinculo and Stephano. He is no more in a happy state. He
orders the spirits to go away.
Seeing Ferdinand perplexed at the abrupt end of the masque, Prospero tells him that what
he has witnessed is a show without any foundation in reality. The show was arranged by the
spirits. Like the disappearance of these spirits, the towers piercing into the clouds, the stately
palaces, the sacred temples, in fact the vast universe itself shall fade away without a trace
behind. The reality is that like these spirits, human beings too are transient, and are made of
stuff as dreams are made of.
Prospero, it becomes clear, pays no great importance to his spirits because he knows well
that they have only aery existence. Though a magician he knows that magic has no value
in the world of reality, and is not meant for humans. So he decides later to dispense with
everything that imparts him magical powers.
SET-II
(a) Ariel tells Prospero how Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo were intoxicated with drinking. They
seemed to have become bold and courageous by drink. They beat the air for blowing into
their faces. They stamped upon the ground for touching their feet. Despite this state of
inebriation, they did not forage their plan to murder Prospero in his afternoon sleep.
Ariel says that it was then that he began to beat his drum. The sound made them alert as if they
sniffed music. Then they began to follow the direction of the music even through prickly plants
and shrubs which cut into their calves. At last Ariel was able to take them to a stinking pool.
Talking about Caliban, Prospero remarks that he is born wicked. No training can reform him.
With age he has grown physically uglier and mentally more perverse. Prospero asks Ariel to
fetch the gaudy robes from his cell and set them there as a trap for the conspirators. Ariel
goes quickly to obey his order.
(b) Caliban and his companions, Stephano and Trinculo arrive. Caliban is quite impatient to
execute the plot to kill Prospero. He asks Stephano to enter Prospero’s cell quickly and
kill him so that he could become the king of the island. As Stephano gets ready to enter
Prospero’s cell, Trinculo draws his attention to the shining garments. Caliban knows that

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 these garments are trash and asks Trinculo to ignore them and let Stephano execute the
plot to kill Prospero. Stephano also gets attracted by the gaudy garments. Caliban urges
Stephano not to be lured by these worthless garments and to execute his plan to kill
Prospero. But both Trinculo and Stephano get attracted to the shining garments and become
indifferent to the plot to kill Prospero. Soon they forget about the plot. In the meantime,
Prospero directs some of his spirits to assume the shapes of dogs and hounds and attack
them. They chase the three drunken rogues away.
(c) On Prospero’s order Ariel has displayed some gaudy clothes near Prospero’s cell as a trap.
When Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo reach the spot, Trinculo is at once drawn by the shining
clothes. He at once draws the attention of Stephano towards the clothes. Caliban at once
forbids him to touch the clothes. He remarks that the clothes are cheap and worthless, and
should not divert their focus which ought to be on their plan to kill Prospero.
Caliban knows that Prospero is asleep, and that they should not waste any time in executing their
plan. He curses Trinculo and prays that the fool might be attacked with dropsy. He fears that Prospero
might awake, and that will be a calamity for them. If Prospero gets up and learns about their plan, he
will fill their bodies with pinches from head to foot and turn them into a queer state.
Caliban once again tries to stop Stephano and Trinculo from wasting time on the gaudy,
worthless clothes. He warns them that if Prospero wakes up, they shall all be turned into shell-
fish that is said to grow upon trees and then fall into water, or they shall be turned into geese or
apes with wretchedly low foreheads. Stephano pays no heed to Caliban’s words. He orders him
to carry the clothes where his barrel of wine is, or he will expel him from his kingdom. Caliban
now realizes that he has reposed his faith in foolish and incapable drunkards.

ACT V, SCENE I

SET-I
(a) In the beginning of Act V, Scene I, Prospero appears on the stage in his magic robes before
his cell. He tells Ariel in a satisfied tone that his plan is coming to its climax. He is satisfied
that his magic spells are effective and that all his spirits are obeying his commands.
In response to Prospero’s query, Ariel says that king Alonso and his followers are all prisoners
in the grove of lime trees which protect his cell against rough weather. They cannot move
until he (Prospero) frees them. Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio are in a state of madness,
while others are in grief and disappointment. The saddest of them is the good old lord,
Gonzalo. He is shedding copious tears. He says :
”His tears run down his beard, like winter’s drops
From eaves of reeds’’.
He feels pity for the old man. Prospero is surprised that even a spirit has the feeling of
sympathy. He tells Ariel that he, too, has sympathy for all those men. He admits that Alonso
and his followers hurt him deeply. But he cannot help pitying them for their misery as they
are repenting of their misdeeds. He is now inclined to forgive them.
In a forgiving mood Prospero orders Ariel to go, terminate the effects of his magic and free them. He
says that he will restore their sanity to all his prisoners. Ariel leaves at once to carry out his order.
(b) After deciding to forgive his enemies who have suffered a lot and repented, Prospero, left
alone, addresses the spirits who have been at his command. First of all he addresses the
spirits of hills, rivers, lakes and groves. Then he addresses those who run on sandy shores
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 without leaving any trace. Thereafter, he turns to tiny fairies who make small circles of green
grass in the moonlight.
He seems to thank all the spirits who enabled him to darken the blazing sun at noon, raise
the fierce storms, set the green sea and the blue sky at strife and cause the thunder to flash
fire and split open the oak. With their help he has caused the rocky shore to tremble, pulled
up the pine and the cedar by their roots.
Prospero says how with his magical powers the graves have awoke even the dead and sent
them into the living world. After having accomplished such tasks, he announces that he now
gives up the magic which can cause such violent disturbances in nature. He will break his
magic wand after producing some celestial music which he needs to produce. He will, then,
bury his magic wand deep down in the earth. He will sink his book of magic in the sea.
Thus, he thanks the spirits for the aid they have provided him from time to time.
(c) Ariel, under the command of Prospero, brings Alonso and his followers to the place where
Prospero is. All the men are led by Ariel into a circle drawn by Prospero. They stand there
under Prospero’s magic.
Prospero speaks to the men turn by turn. Turning to Gonzalo, he describes him as a
righteous, worthy man. He tells Gonzalo that he would soon be free from the effect of his
magic. He expresses his thankfulness to the old lord who helped and saved him by secretly
providing him the necessities of life and his valuable books. Had he not helped him and his
little daughter they would have perished before landing on the island, as they had been put
in an old , broken boat.
Then Prospero turns to Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio. He reminds each of them of their evil
deeds. Alonso and his brother Sebastian fully supported Antonio in ousting him from his
dukedom and even in an attempt to finish him. Antonio, his own brother, had been lured by
power and ambition and betrayed him in the most cruel way. He declares that he forgives
them in spite of the fact that they all have treated him most wickedly. In this manner, he
shows generosity and kindness in forgiving his enemies.
It becomes clear that the theme of the play is forgiveness and reconciliation. This is made
clear in the end, as also in the beginning when Prospero assures Miranda that all the
passengers aboard the ship are safe. Had he been revengeful he could easily perish them in
the sea. The play, thus, moves in the right direction and ends on a happy note.
SET-II
(a) King Alonso tells Prospero that he has lost his only son (Ferdinand) in the shipwreck.
Prospero surprises him by saying that he too has lost his daughter. Alonso, unable to fathom
the meaning of his remark, expresses his sympathy for his son. He adds that if his son and
Prospero’s daughter had been alive he would have liked them to marry and be the king and
the queen of Naples.
Then Prospero takes Alonso and his party inside his cave. The king is amazed to see his son
Ferdinand playing chess with Miranda. Ferdinand is delighted on seeing his father before
him. When he touches his father’s feet, he showers all his blessings on him.

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 On seeing beautiful Miranda, Alonso asks Feridnand if she is the goddess of the island.
Ferdinand surprises him by saying that she is an ordinary human, and that he has made a
promise to marry her. He then discloses her identity as Prospero’s daughter. Alonso takes
hold of the hands of Ferdinand and Miranda and wishes them happiness in their married
life. This declaration of the king comes as a great relief to Prospero who seems to be happy
at the turn of events.
(b) Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo are brought by Ariel in Prospero’s cave. Caliban is highly
surprised to see many strangers there. He has not seen Alonso and his party before.
Stephano and Trinculo are dead drunk and are not in their senses. Prospero tells Alonso that
they are a part of his party whereas Caliban belongs to this island. According to him, Caliban
is a rogue who is beyond redemption. He has a deformed body as well as a deformed mind.
This creature is the son of a witch who was powerful enough to control even the moon and
the tide in the ocean.
Prospero tells Alonso how these three men tried to kill him and rob him of some clothing.
Caliban is remorseful for having followed the drunkards. He knows that he will be severely
punished by Prospero for having instigated Stephano and Trinculo to kill him. Alonso is
surprised to see Stephano who is his butler. Alonso asks Stephano and Trinculo as to where
they got liquor on the island. Both fail to give any coherent answers to his questions.
Prospero tells Caliban that he will forgive him provided he goes to his cell and cleans it
properly. Caliban feels sorry for what he has done, and promises to behave properly in the
future. Alonso asks his men, Stephano and Trinculo, to put Prospero’s clothing back from
where they stole it.
Thus, Prospero treats the three miscreants kindly, especially Caliban who made the plan to
put an end to his life. It shows that he is not a revengeful or spiteful person.
(c) Prospero uses magic by means of his magical robe, a wand and a book of magic. He makes
use of them in controlling Ariel, Caliban and other spirits who do many tasks for him. He
also uses his magic power in creating the line of garments, drawing a magic circle in which
he casts a spell over the courtiers and bringing the Reapers to dance.
But towards the end of the play, Prospero renounces magic by burying his magic wand and
the book of magic. He has no use of them after he has made his enemies repent. He does
not want to make use of magic any more because it has its own negative effects. The study
of magic cost him dearly in the first place. Had he not been so obsessed with acquiring
magical powers he would not have left the management of state affairs to Antonio and
would not have suffered isolation for twelve long years on a deserted island. He has also
known and experienced the agony of those controlled by his magic. Ariel and Caliban have
never been happy under his magical control. Caliban at one point remarks that all the spirits
controlled by Prospero hate him. So Prospero makes a right decision to renounce magic for
ever. The world of magic cannot and should not be mingled with the world of reality. Both
the words have their respective laws and codes.

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 SPECIMEN PAPERS (UNSOLVED)
SPECIMEN PAPER - 1

SECTION - A
Question 1
(a) (i) Ferdinand utters these words in surprise on seeing the sudden change in the mood of
Prospero during the masque itself. Prospero gets upset and angry as he is reminded of
the conspiracy hatched by Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo.
(ii) Miranda means to say that she has never seen her father moved with so much anger
and passion.
(iii) Prospero means by ‘revels’ the pastimes – the display of a colourful masque which he
has arranged by his magic for the entertainment of Miranda and Ferdinand.
(iv) Prospero, in his speech, refers to human beings and life in general. They are short-lived.
Life in this world is as false as a dream is.
(v) Prospero’s next command to Ariel is to go and bring some gaudy robes to distract the
attention of three drunkard rogues – Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo – from their evil
design.
(vi) (a) strange : odd
(b) distemper’d : angry
(b) (i) The boatswain is speaking to Gonzalo. He means to say that nobody is dearer to him
than he himself.
(ii) The boatswain reacts rudely because the royal persons aboard the ship continue to order
him and his crew despite their doing the best to save the ship.
(iii) Gonzalo gets irritated by the boatswain’s behaviour and remarks in contempt that the
man is destined to be hanged when he reaches the shore, so there is no danger to the
ship.
(iv) The boatswain remarks that Gonzalo cannot control the storm, and that if he cannot, he
should feel thankful to the crew that they are still alive.
(v) The boatswain tells the passengers on board the sinking ship to move to their cabins
because they are only becoming a hindrance in their rescue operation.
(vi) (a) counsellor : one who is accustomed to give orders
(b) silence : control
(c) (i) Prospero speaks these lines to his daughter Miranda. These words are prompted by
Miranda asking him why his enemies did not at once kill them.
(ii) Prospero’s enemies – Antonio, Alonso and Sebastian – were afraid of killing him and his
daughter. They were afraid of the public rebellion in case they kill them.
(iii) Prospero’s enemies put him and his daughter in an old, dilapidated boat and put it to the
stormy sea. They hoped the boat would capsize in the sea and they would be drowned.

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 (iv) According to Prospero, his enemies did not want his ousting from the dukedom to be a
bloody affair by killing him and his daughter.
(v) Antonio got the support of Alonso, the king of Naples, on the condition that he would
pay the king annual tribute and recognize his sovereignty.
(vi) (a) provokes : demands
(b) foul : wicked
SECTION - B
Question 3
(a) In his conversation with Prospero, king Alonso reveals his great loss. He says that in the
shipwreck he has lost his only son Ferdinand. Prospero surprises him that he, too, has lost
his daughter. Alonso expresses his sympathy for him, and says that if his son and Prospero’s
daughter had been alive he would like them to get married and become the king and the
queen of Naples. In a sudden fit of grief he says that his last wish is to die and lie by the side
of his son’s body in the depths of the sea. Then Prospero takes Alonso and others inside his
cave. He shows the king a wonderful sight of his son Ferdinand playing chess with Miranda.
Ferdinand feels delighted on seeing his father. The king reacts in a bewildered manner. He
is happy and surprised. When Ferdinand touches his feet, he showers all his blessings upon
him. On seeing beautiful Miranda, Alonso asks Ferdinand if she is the goddess of that island.
Ferdinand replies that she is an ordinary human being and he has promised to marry her. He
discloses her identity as Prospero’s daughter. Alonso takes hold of the hands of Ferdinand
and Miranda and wishes them happiness in their married life. This declaration of the king
comes as a relief to Prospero. He feels satisfied at the turn of events.
(b) Prospero has already ordered Ariel to go to Alonso’s ship and to bring the master of the ship
and the boatswain from there to his cell. When Ariel enters with both of them, Alonso is all
the more confused. How could they be alive when the ship was drowned ? The master and
the boatswain surprised him all the more by telling him that the ship that had been thought
to be wrecked is in a perfect, sailing condition.
The boatswain tells Alonso that it is still a mystery for them how they survived. They were all
dead asleep and imprisoned in the ship’s hold. Only a little while ago they were awakened
by strange noises. They were then released from imprisonment. They saw their ship looking
fresh and fully equipped with sails and ropes. Then they were separated from other sailors
and brought here.
Alonso understood that it was all done by Prospero. He felt overjoyed that they would have
no problem in going back to their country in their own ship.
(c) The last scene of the play is dramatically very significant. It brings together all the loose ends.
It ends on a happy note of forgiveness and reconciliation. There are many surprises for almost
all the characters in the play.
Prospero’s main purpose to make the sinners realize and repent for their misdeeds becomes
clear.
First of all he orders Ariel to release the three wrong-doers, namely Alonso, Stephano and
Antonio from his magic spell and bring them to his cell. Though he is in a position to take

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 revenge and destroy his enemies, he chooses the path of forgiveness. When Prospero reveals
his true identity, Alonso asks for his forgiveness. Prospero tells Antonio and Sebastian that
he knows their treacherous plot, but he will not reveal it provided they restore his dukedom
to him. They submit to Prospero’s superior strength and agree to what Prospero says.
Caliban, too, declares that he will change for the better. Either for fear of punishment or from
real understanding of the situation, he says that he will henceforth be wise and will seek
grace. So all those characters who are capable of redeeming themselves find redemption in
this comedy.
The love affair of Miranda and Ferdinand sustains the interest of the audience.
Question 4
Hints
* the play, open to symbolic meanings
* at one level it seems to be an allegory
* Prospero - Caliban relationship symbolic of a relationship between colonialist and the
uncivilized brute who refuses to be civilized
* Ariel symbolic of true service
* Prospero represents the glorious victory of the righteous human soul
* another interpretation : Prospero is a self-portrait of retiring Shakespeare

SPECIMEN PAPER - 2
SECTION - A
Question 1
(a) (i) Alonso who is Sebastian’s brother is referred to as ‘your brother’ by Antonio to Sebastian.
Antonio means to say that Alonso in his sleep looks as deed as a lump of earth on which
he in lying.
(ii) He suggests to Sebastian to kill his brother Alonso and his faithful courtier Gonzalo.
(iii) According to Antonio, after Alonso’s and Gonzalo’s deaths, Alonso’s courtiers will say or
do what they (Antonio and Sebastian) would bid them to do or say. They would count
the strokes of the clock exactly as they might ask them to do.
(iv) Sebastian reacts favourably to Antonio’s speech saying that he will kill his brother to
become the king of Naples and Antonio’s case would be an example for him.
(v) Antonio is a hard-hearted criminal without any conscience. He is a clever conspirator
and knows how men behave in different situations.
(vi) (a) steel : dagger
(b) morsel : slice of flesh
(b) (i) Caliban is mentioned as ‘Abhorred slave’.
(ii) Prospero tried to civilize Caliban by teaching him his language so that he could express
his thoughts and by teaching him many other useful things.
(iii) It means that Prospero enabled Caliban to use words to express the thoughts in his mind.

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 (iv) The person spoken to, that is Caliban, was punished with heavy tasks of bringing wood
and other menial tasks.
(v) According to Prospero, no good and civilized person can bear something vicious in his
hereditary nature.
(vi) (a) abhorred : hated
(b) savage : wild/uncivilized
(c) (i) Ferdinand means to say that his spirits are all oppressed, as if in a dream. It shows that
he is incapable of thinking clearly and doing anything in his present state of mind.
(ii) Prospero deliberately called him a traitor so that he could test his love for Miranda by
putting him to some severe test.
(iii) Ferdinand means to say that free man should enjoy their freedom in all other places in
the world ; he is comfortable in his small prison where he can see his beloved Miranda.
(iv) When Prospero expressed his desire to imprison Ferdinand, Ferdinand drew out his
sword to resist his imprisonment. He did not want to yield so easily.
(v) Ferdinand is a true lover. He can forget all his weals and woes provided he is able to
have a glimpse of his beloved Miranda.
(vi) (a) bound up : enchained
(b) wreck : loss

SECTION - B
Question 3
(a) Led by Ariel’s sweet music Ferdinand, King Alonso’s son, reaches Prospero’s cell. Prospero
points out Ferdinand to Miranda. Miranda looks at Ferdinand in wonder and admiration. She
at once says : ’What is it ? Is it a spirit ?’ She tells her father that Ferdinand is undoubtedly a
spirit. It is Prospero who makes her realize that Ferdinand is a human being and not a spirit
and that he is one of the victims of the shipwreck. He adds that if Ferdinand’s beauty had
not been marred by his grief he would have looked very handsome. He tells her that he has
lost his companions and is wandering about in search of them.
Miranda, bewitched, still says that she will call him a divine figure. She has obviously fallen
in love with Ferdinand. Ferdinand, beholding her in the distance, too falls in love with her.
He calls her the goddess of the island, and asks her to let him know how he should conduct
himself in her presence. He is surprised and delighted when Miranda, speaking in his own
language, tells him that she is not a goddess but a simple girl.
When Prospero speaks harshly to Ferdinand, Miranda is surprised. Despite her pleadings
to treat Ferdinand kindly, Prospero pretends to treat him as an enemy, as he wants to test
Ferdinand’s love for his daughter.
(b) It is Prospero who draws the attention of Miranda towards Ferdinand. When Miranda seems
to have fallen in love with Ferdinand at first sight, he is inwardly pleased as he desires
Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love. Ferdinand approaches Miranda, and he, too, falls in love
with Miranda at once. Prospero decides to test his love for his daughter. So he speaks harshly
to Ferdinand. Miranda is surprised at her father’s stern tone. She wants him to rather feel
sympathy for the man who has lost his father and others in the ship-wreck.
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 Prospero, keeping his pretence of being annoyed by Ferdinand’s arrival, tells him that he is
not what he claims to be. He charges him of being a spy who has come to snatch his island
from him. Miranda at once intervenes and says that Ferdinand cannot have any evil intention
in his mind. Says she :
‘‘If the ill spirit have so fair a house
Good things will strive to dwell with‘t’’.
Prospero ignores Miranda’s plea for mercy and compassion for Ferdinand. He orders
Ferdinand to follow him. He tells him that he will fetter his neck and feet and that he will be
given sea – water to drink and common shell-fish, roots and husks to eat. Ferdinand draws his
sword to resist such treatment, but Prospero benumbs him with his magic powers. Prospero
then takes him away. Later he sets him to the heavy task of piling logs of wood.
(c) Miranda and Ferdinand fall in love at first sight. Their love grows slowly and surely. Ferdinand
is, however, enslaved by Prospero and is given the hard task of piling logs of wood. His spirits
are not dampened. He accepts his state willingly and resignedly.
Miranda feels sorry that her father has dealt with Ferdinand very unkindly. She continues to
visit him. She asks him to sit down and take rest because her father is at his study. She offers
to carry the logs on his behalf. Ferdinand does not accept her suggestion. Ferdinand asks
her name. Then he tells her that he has met many women but he has never come across a
girl like her. She is a paragon of beauty and grace. He confesses his love for her. Miranda
tells him that she has never seen a man like him. She frankly says that she will marry him if
he agrees, otherwise she will become his life-long servant. Ferdinand’s happiness knows no
bounds. He promises to marry her at all costs and be very faithful to her.
Prospero who is overhearing their talk is now sure that Ferdinand’s love for his daughter
is real and sincere. So he frees him from his imprisonment and gives his consent to their
marriage.

Question 4
Hints
* belief in magic, spirits and ghosts, quite common in Shakespeare’s age
* spirits of different types appear in the play, controlled by Prospero, the magician
* Ariel, an aery and refined spirit, plays an important role in the action
* other inferior spirits used to punish the enemies
* the masque in which the classical spirits take part
* psychological treatment of the supernatural
* many things – love between Miranda and Ferdinand and the behaviour of different
characters – are not contrived by magic

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 SPECIMEN PAPER - 3

SECTION - A
Question 1
(a) (i) Sebastian, looking at the sleeping Alonso, Gonzalo, etc., wonders what strange sleepiness
has come upon them all.
(ii) Yes, Antonio is responsible for Prospero’s present condition. It was he who ousted him
from his dukedom and himself became the duke.
(iii) Antonio deliberately and indirectly tempts Sebastian to be the king of Naples. Looking
at his face, he tells him (Sebastian) that he deserves to be the king, and that he is already
imagining a crown adorning his head.
(iv) It means that the opportunity demands that Sebastian should utilize it (and become king
himself).
(v) Antonio and Sebastian plan to kill Alonso, the king of Naples, and his devoted courtier
Gonzalo. They draw out their swords for the purpose, but in vain.
(vi) (a) quality : nature
(b) nimble : lively
(b) (i) Sebastian means to say that Antonio’s experience (his usurping the dukedom of
Prospero) will serve as an example to him.
(ii) Sebastian himself is reluctant to kill his brother Alonso. So he calls upon Antonio to draw
his sword for the purpose.
(iii) Sebastian entertains the ambition of becoming the king of Naples in place of his brother.
He will fulfil his ambition by removing his brother from his path for ever.
(iv) Antonio pays the annual tribute to Alonso, the king of Naples, as Alonso helped him
become the Duke of Milan by ousting Prospero from the dukedom.
(v) The speaker, Sebastian, is clever and ambitious. He is wicked, too, as he wants to get his
brother killed so that he may become the king of Naples in his place.
(vi) (a) case : experience
(b) precedent : example
(c) (i) Prospero is addressing Ferdinand.
(ii) The words express Prospero’s satisfaction on Ferdinand’s assurance to him that he can
never think of having sex with Miranda before marriage.
(iii) This line reveals that Ariel appears in no time to carry out the orders of his master
Prospero. He has been of great help to Prospero in punishing his enemies – Antonio,
Alonso and Sebastian.
(iv) Ariel had earlier arranged a masque and a banquet for Prospero’s enemies with the help
of other spirits. Then in the guise of a harpy he fightened them and reminded them of
their wicked deed.
(v) ‘Another trick’ is another show of colour and pageantry to be arranged for the
entertainment of Miranda and Ferdinand.

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 (vi) (a) industrious : hardworking
(b) potent : powerful

SECTION - B

Question 3
(a) It is Ariel who, according to Prospero’s plan, sends all the lords, except Alonso, Antonio
and Sebastian to sleep. Alonso is surprised to see all of them asleep. Sebastian suggests to
Alonso to go to sleep as well while Antonio and he would stand guard. Alonso accepts the
suggestion and goes to sleep. In a very subtle manner Alonso sows the seeds of treasion in
Sebastian’s mind.
Antonio provokes Sebastian to kill his brother, the king of Naples, and seize his kingdom.
Sebastian entertains this idea because he thinks that as Ferdinand is drowned, and Alonso’s
daughter is married off to a distant place, he could easily become the king. He remembers
that Antonio too overthrew his brother and asks him if his conscience pricks him. Antonio
answers him that his conscience never bothers him. They agree to execute their plan. They
decide to take out their swords and kill Alonso and Gonzalo. In the meanwhile, Ariel awakens
Gonzalo who rouses others with a shout. All get up and see the two – Sebastian and Antonio-
standing with their swords out. Sebastian gives a lame excuse by saying that a roar in the
distant place made them take out their swords.
The roar of the animal at the distant place frightens the courtiers and forces them to move
away from that spot to another part of the island in search of Alonso’s son Ferdinand.
(b) It is clear from the way each of them, Antonio and Sebastian, behaves that Antonio is more
villainous than Sebastian. Sebastian is evil-minded, no doubt, yet he is not as completely
heartless as Antonio. First of all, it is Antonio who gives the idea to Sebastian of killing his
brother and becoming in his place the king of Naples. Antonio does not reveal his vicious
plan at once. He speaks in a veiled and indirect manner in order to probe Sebastian’s mind.
When he is certain that it is not risky to reveal his plan that he puts his plan in clear terms.
Sebastian gets tempted by the idea of becoming the king. At first, Antonio asks Sebastian
to kill Alonso as he will strike down Gonzalo. Sebastian asks why they should kill Gonzalo
unnecessarily. It reveals that he is not completely inhuman. He even asks Antonio if Antonio’s
conscience does not ever prick him. Antonio’s reply reveals how cruel he is. When Antonio
feels that Sebastian may not be able to kill his own brother, he reverses the plan. He asks
Sebastian to kill Gonzalo while he himself will put an end to Alonso’s life.
Thus, it is clear that Antonio is more evil-minded, cruel and inhuman than Sebastian.
(c) Prospero is perhaps aware of the danger to the life of Gonzalo, a lord who secretly helped
him when he was ousted from his dukedom twelve years ago. He does not want his life to be
in any danger. In order to be of help in case of any danger, he sends Ariel with the command
to send all of Alonso’s party to sleep. With the help of music Ariel sends all persons to sleep
except Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian. On the assurance of Antonio and Sebastian that
they will stand on guard Alonso, too, goes to sleep. It is then that Antonio is able to tempt

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 Sebastian to do away with Alonso and Gonzalo in their sleep. Sebastian agrees to Antonio’s
plan. They draw swords to kill Alonso and Gonzalo.
Ariel realizes why Prospero has sent him. He thinks his master must have anticipated the
danger. He remarks that the two sleeping persons – Alonso and Gonzalo – must be saved.
He goes near Gonzalo, tells him that while he is in sleep the conspirator is ready to strike
him, and then calls on him to wake up. He sings in Gonzalo’s ear. Both Alonso and Gonzalo
wake up. Alonso is surprised to see Antonio and Sebastian with their drawn-out swords. He
asks others to get up. Thus, Ariel foils Antonio and Sebastian’s evil plan against Alonso and
Gonzalo.

Question 4
Hints
* The title quite apt
* does not refer only to the physical storm but also to the inner storm in the minds of several
characters
* the sea storm significant
* brings Prospero’s enemies to the island
* the physical storm subsides, yet there is storm of passion in the minds of almost all
characters
* some critics find the title inappropriate
* opine that the tempest suggests death and destruction, but no death or destruction in the
play

SPECIMEN PAPER - 4

SECTION - A
Question 1
(a) (i) Caliban regards Stephano as Prospero’s spirit. He feels his presence and says the spirit
is going to torment him.
(ii) Caliban, regarding Stephano as Prospero’s spirit, pleads for mercy and says that he will
lose no time in carrying wood. Stephano regards his talk as the outcome of some fever.
So he pours some wine into Caliban’s mouth to cure his ailment.
(iii) Caliban begins to behave oddly. He regards Stephano as some God and wine as
some heavenly drink. He takes an oath on the wine bottle that he will remain loyal to
Stephano.
(iv) Stephano thinks that Caliban is suffering from fever as he finds Caliban shivering and
talking non-sense. Actually, Caliban is fearful and what he talks about is not known to
Stephano.
(v) It means that Caliban (with supposed four legs) is fit to be presented to any emperor
that ever wore the shoes made of ox-skin (that is, ever trod the ground).

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 (vi) (a) torment : hunt
(b) tame : tamed (controlled)
(b) (i) Alonso is addressed by Gonzalo when Alonso asks him if he heard anything as claimed
by Antonio and Sebastian.
(ii) Antonio and Sebastian had plotted to kill Alonso and his loyal courtier Gonzalo.
(iii) Antonio and Sebastian had drawn their swords to kill kill Alonso and Gonzalo. They did
not succeed in their aim as both Gonzalo and Alonso woke up from their sleep.
(iv) Gonzalo is of the opinion that there might be some danger to their lives, so it is proper
that they should remain alert.
(v) Ariel reports to Prospero how he woke up Gonzalo by singing in his ear in order to foil
the plot hatched by Antonio and Sebastian against Gonzalo and Alonso.
(vi) (a) humming : murmuring
(b) shaked : shook
(c) (i) Stephano wants to pour some wine into Caliban’s mouth in order to cure him of his
‘ailment’. So he says, ‘come on your ways’, which means, ‘Look here now’.
(ii) Caliban promises to be loyal to Stephano, and is ready to serve him in any way.
(iii) Stephano declares to be the king of the island. Caliban become happy and sings in his
intoxication, saying farewell to his master (Prospero) as he has got in Stephano a new
master.
(iv) Stephano finds Caliban shivering and talking non-sense. He thinks that he is suffering
from some fever. So to cure his fever, he wants to put some wine into his (Caliban’s)
mouth.
(v) Stephano tells Caliban that he does not know that they (Stephano and Trinculo) are his
friends, and asks him to open his mouth again to drink some more wine.
(vi) soundly : completely
shaking : shivering

SECTION - B

Question 3.
(a) The masque is a form of drama which mainly consists of music, song and dance. The
characters wear splendid, gaudy dresses. Many long plays incorporate it to amuse the
audience. The masque in which supernatural beings take part in ‘The Tempest’ is arranged by
Prospero at the engagement of Ferdinand and Miranda. It is Ariel who under the command
of Prospero summons the supernatural beings.
The masque starts with the appearance of Iris, the goddess of the rainbow and Juno, the
wife of the supreme god, Jupiter. Iris makes a long speech and summons Ceres, the goddess
of agriculture and all the fruits that enrich the earth. Juno, the wife of Jupiter, joins Ceres
and informs her that she has been summoned to bless the couple who have been engaged

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 to each other and are likely to be married soon. Then Juno showers her blessings on the
couple and wishes them a long life, riches, honour, many children and happiness. Next, Ceres
showers her blessings and wishes that the couple might have inexhaustible storehouse of
corn, plenty of fruits and everything else. Iris, then, gathers a large number of nymphs who
join the reapers and perform a splendid dance. Then Prospero suddenly orders to end the
spectacle of dance and song. Ferdinand wants to know if the entertainment provided to them
was by the supernatural spirits. Prospero replies in the positive and remarks that everything
in this universe has a transitory stay and it melts away in due course of time just as the spirits
who gave them entertainment with dance and song have melted into the thin air.
(b) When the masque is at its peak and Ferdinand and Miranda feel quite happy. Prospero
suddenly looks upset. He is reminded of the conspiracy hatched by Caliban with his
conspirators, Trinculo and Stephano. He is in no more happy state. He orders the spirits to
go away.
It is from Prospero that Ferdinand learns that the actors who took part in the performance
were all spirits. In a philosophical tone, Prospero says that as all these spirits melt into the thin
air, everything in this world evaporates. In course of time the whole world including grand
buildings, palaces, temples and the great globe itself (the earth) would melt away. He remarks
that human beings are such stuff as dreams are made of, and our little life is rounded with a
sleep.
This abrupt ending shows that Prospero knows his priorities well. He is a normal human being
who cannot remain happy for long. He gets disturbed by the thought of Caliban’s vicious
plan to kill him. He wants to deal with the conspirators so that they may not harm him in any
way. His thoughts on the transiences of everything in the world reveal his innate wisdom. He
is not afraid of death. He wants to punish the evil doers before he meets his end finally.
(c) This scene reveals that Prospero is quite wise, rational and realist. He has observed a lot and
experienced much in life, besides reading books on various subjects. His knowledge and
experience have given him a philosophical outlook on life.
From the masque arranged by the supernatural beings who disappear soon after the
act, Prospero draws a cogent moral which he imparts to Ferdinand. He says that like the
unsubstantial pageant which has melted into air leaving no trace behind, human beings too
disappear likewise. Human life itself is dream. It is made of the same stuff as dreams are made
of. After spending a specified period on the earth man passes away into a sleep from which
there is no awakening.
According to Prospero, as life is like a dream, unsubstantial and short, we should not take life
seriously. Life should be taken as a game which has to come to an end sooner or later.
The scene also reveals that Prospero has become whimsical and short-tempered. He gets
upset when he is reminded of the treacherous plan hatched against him by Caliban, Stephano
and Trinculo. He speaks bitterly of Caliban and remarks that he is beyond redemption. Then
he issues some instructions to Ariel to punish the wicked conspirators.

[48] [ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB]

Question 4
Hints
* Miranda - Ferdinand love real, deep, genuine
* starts at first sight
* both ready to help each other
* Miranda’s sympathies
* Miranda, in innocence, proposes to Ferdinand
* her speech shows the depth of her love for Ferdinand
* Miranda, totally oblivious of harsh realities of court life
* may have to face problems, after marriage

SPECIMEN PAPER - 5

SECTION - A
Question 1
(a) (i) Prospero speaks to Caliban in contempt because Caliban curses him for teaching him
his language, and tells him rudely that he has learnt to abuse him with what he taught
him.
(ii) Prospero asks Caliban to go and bring in wood at once, and warns him to attend to his
other duties that he may demand of him.
(iii) Prospero threatens to afflict Caliban with cramps and fill his bones with pain so that his
roar will startle the wild beasts in their den.
(iv) Prospero threatens to afflict Caliban with joint pains because he fears that Caliban may
neglect the tasks imposed on him.
(v) Prospero has earlier treated Caliban very kindly and taught him his language and told
him many other useful things.
(vi) (a) fetch : go and bring
(b) rack : afflict
(b) (i) Alonso addresses these words to his son Ferdinand.
(ii) That his son Ferdinand is alive and is safe and sound makes Alonso happy.
(iii) Miranda has seen only Prospero and Ferdinand. She is surprised to see a number of
human beings whom she calls in wonder a wonderful spectacle’.
(iv) Alonso is given the information that the maid playing chess with Ferdinand, his son, is
Prospero’s daughter Miranda and that Ferdinand has agreed to make her his wife.
(v) The world is ‘new’ to Miranda as her knowledge of the world was restricted to seeing only
her father and the deformed creature Caliban, before she sees Ferdinand and others.
(vi) (a) compass : encircle
(b) eld’st : longest
[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [49]
 (c) (i) Prospero calls Ferdinand a traitor deliberately because he wants to test his love for
Miranda by putting him to some arduous task.
(ii) He intends to treat Ferdinand as an enemy. He declares that he will imprison and fetter
him.
(iii) Ferdinand draws his sword to fight Prospero as he does not want to yield without any
resistance.
(iv) Prospero warns Miranda not to speak in favour of Ferdinand who is a traitor, and has
come to usurp his island.
(v) Miranda has earlier praised him as she regards him a divine being and not a mortal. She
calls him noble and gentle soul when her father Prospero calls him a traitor and speaks
to him rudely.
(vi) (a) manacle : chain and fetter (you)
(b) wither’d roots : dry roots

SECTION - B

Question 3
(a) Prospero abruptly ends the masque staged by him to entertain Ferdinand and Miranda at
their engagement ceremony. He is upset because of the thought of the conspiracy hatched
by Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo. He asks Ferdinand and Miranda to leave him alone. Then
he calls Ariel and asks him to get ready to thwart the evil plan of Caliban and his associates.
Ariel tells him how with the power of his music he led the three conspirators to a stinking
pool beyond Prospero’s cell through bushes, thorns and shrubs. Prospero praises him for
what he has done. Then he asks Ariel to go and bring from his cell some gaudy and cheap
clothes lying there.
In the absence of Ariel, Prospero, in an aside, remarks that Caliban is a devil. No training can
bring any change in his nature. He has become with years uglier in body and more malicious
in mind.
After a while, Ariel returns with some cheap but gaudy garments. Prospero asks him to hang
the garments on a line. Then both stay on, invisible to human eyes. They wait for the arrival of
Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo. They are sure to distract their attention with these garments
and ultimately thwart their nefarious plan.
(b) From the filthy pond Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo come near Prospero’s cell. It is Caliban
who is quite impatient to execute the plot to murder Prospero in his afternoon sleep. He asks
Stephano to enter Prospero’s cell and kill him so that he could become the king of the island.
The moment Stephano gets ready to enter the cell, Trinculo draws his attention to the gaudy
garments. Caliban knows that the garments are trash. So he asks Trinculo to ignore them. He
asks Stephano to go ahead with the plan. But Stephano and Trinculo become abusive. Soon
they forget about the plan. Stephano orders Caliban to carry the clothes to the place where
his barrel of wine is. Trinculo loads Caliban with the clothes.

[50] [ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB]

 Suddenly the trio hears the noise of hunters. Prospero has sent his spirits in the shape of
dogs. They badly hunt out the three conspirators. Thus, Prospero thwarts their plot to kill him.
(c) Ariel brings Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo to Prospero’s cave. Caliban is surprised to see
a number of strangers (Alonso and his companions) there. Stephano and Trinculo are dead
drunk and are not in their senses. Prospero tells Alonso that Stephano and Trinculo are a part
of his party, whereas Caliban belongs to the island. He remarks that Caliban is a rogue who
is beyond redemption. Then he tells about the plan of the three persons to kill him.
Alonso is surprised to see Stephano, his butler. He asks him and Trinculo as to where they got
liquor from. Both failed to give any coherent answer.
Caliban is remorseful. He feels sorry for what he has done, and promises to behave properly
in the future. Prospero tells him that he will forgive him provided he goes to his cell and
cleans it. Caliban agrees to do so. Alonso asks Stephano and Trinculo to put Prospero’s
clothing back from where they stole them.
Thus, Prospero treats Caliban and his associates kindly, which shows that he is basically a
forgiving and not revengeful person.

Question 4
Hints
* Ariel, a fine spirit, plays important role
* carries out all orders of Prospero
* raises storm, brings Prospero’s enemies to the island
* foils the plots hatched by Antonio and Sebastian, and by Caliban and his two associates
* performs the role of a harpy well

******

[ISC Teacher’s Handbook for The Tempest : WB] [51]

Notes