http://thetempesta2englitmw.blogspot.com/2016/01/act-3-scene-2-caliban.html

Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices,
That, if I then had wak’d after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open, and show riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I wak’d
I cried to dream again.

How does Shakespeare humanize/show another side of Caliban?

Allegra and Capucine

In the Tempest, written by Shakespeare, he uses a number of humanizing devices to repaint Caliban’s image as an emotional and desireful person. In the beginning of his play Caliban, Prospero’s slave, is portrayed as being monstrous. In addition, he is dehumanized and penalized by many other characters. Being thought of as an emotionless creature, we are shown a different side of Caliban on page 93 line 127-135. Shakespeare emphasizes Caliban’s true nature through connotation, enjambment, and diction of emotion. At the end of Caliban’s monologue (line 135) he states “I cried to dream again.” This indicates that Caliban experiences real emotions such as sadness and sorrow. These feelings are amplified by the enjambment preceding this citation. Furthermore, Shakespeare humanized Caliban through a structure composed of verses. When a character speaks in verse, it highlights education, and nobility. Moreover, strong emotions can be seen in verses. Caliban speaks through verse to emphasise his true opinions. The diction of “sleep” and “dreams” both show more examples of Caliban’s sentiments; this highlights that he desires and has aspirations just like a human.. Shakespeare also writes “sweet”, “cried”, “delight” and “hurt” which are all adjectives of feelings, showing the audience that Caliban is now being humanized by Shakespeare. In conclusion, Shakespeare uses many literary techniques including connotations, enjambments, hyperboles, and diction to show that Caliban has evolved from being a “monsterous slave” to a strong human full of desires, aspirations, and sentiments.

ACT ONE

1) Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?

2) Why does Miranda have such immediate empathy for the men in the ship? Since she’s lived on a deserted island all her life, how did she learn pity and mercy?

3) Think about how you might tell someone the story of your past. How would you characterize yourself? How does Prospero characterize himself? Does he take any responsibility for what happened to him? Should he?

4) What crime did Antonio commit? What motivated him? How should he be punished?

5) What do you imagine the spirit Ariel looks like?

6) What do you imagine the witch Sycorax looks like?

7) What do you imagine Caliban looks like?

8) What connection does Shakespeare make between outward appearance and inner spirit? Do you think it’s true? Why or why not?

9) What is your reaction to Prospero’s treatment of Caliban? Does Caliban have a right to be angry at Prospero? Should he rule the island?

10) What reason does Prospero give for enslaving Caliban? Do you think Prospero is right in his actions?

11) During Ferdinand & Miranda’s first encounter he says: “O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you Queen of Naples. What is he saying? Why does her virtue matter?

 

 

Compare the two versions of scene two and comment below with your thoughts.

SCENE 2

Then, watch this explanatory video and also comment on one thing this video

Compare the two versions of scene two and comment below with your thoughts.

SCENE 2

Then, watch this explanatory video and also comment on one thing this video helped you to see/learn about the text:

ACT ONE

1) Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?

2) Why does Miranda have such immediate empathy for the men in the ship? Since she’s lived on a deserted island all her life, how did she learn pity and mercy?

3) Think about how you might tell someone the story of your past. How would you characterize yourself? How does Prospero characterize himself? Does he take any responsibility for what happened to him? Should he?

4) What crime did Antonio commit? What motivated him? How should he be punished?

5) What do you imagine the spirit Ariel looks like?

6) What do you imagine the witch Sycorax looks like?

7) What do you imagine Caliban looks like?

8) What connection does Shakespeare make between outward appearance and inner spirit? Do you think it’s true? Why or why not?

9) What is your reaction to Prospero’s treatment of Caliban? Does Caliban have a right to be angry at Prospero? Should he rule the island?

10) What reason does Prospero give for enslaving Caliban? Do you think Prospero is right in his actions?

11) During Ferdinand & Miranda’s first encounter he says: “O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I’ll make you Queen of Naples. What is he saying? Why does her virtue matter?

ACT TWO

1) What type of person is Gonzalo? What was his role in the plot against Prospero? Does his behavior seem consistent with how he acts now?

2) Sebastian and Antonio ridicule Gonzalo. What does this tell us about their characters?

3) Antonio incites Sebastian to kill his brother Antonio and take the crown of Naples. What does this tell us about Antonio’s nature and motives? How does Sebastian respond? What does it tell us about him?

4) Why do you think Caliban willingly worships Stephano? Why is he willing to give Stephano control of the island?