With the first word Shakespeare introduces Prospero as one who can raise and calm such a tempest as scene i describes, and the magician admits the power Miranda ascribes to him.  Show from the story what his plans and motives were likely to prove.  Would a sense of his own former neglect of duty be likely to embitter him against his brother or make him excuse him?  Does he show signs of either?  Prospero’s magic, his garment, books, staff.  How far is his magic in accord with the popular notions of such art? (See ‘Prospero and Magic,’ Poet Lore, Vol.  III, p. 144, March, 1891.)

Show Ariel’s qualities.  What caused his first impatience?  Is Prospero unnecessarily harsh and imperious with him?  Aside from the popular supposition that spirits or familiars obeying magicians were always reluctant to serve longer than one hour (and, therefore, says Scot’s ‘Discovery of Witchcraft,’ ’the magician must be careful to dismiss him’), how can you explain this quarrel,—­as a dramatic expedient giving occasion for telling Ariel’s story, or revealing the characters of both Prospero and Ariel?  Note, also, its further use in introducing Prospero’s second servant, Caliban, and his story.  How do you explain Ariel’s irrelevant rejoinder:  ‘Yes, Caliban, her son’; and Prospero’s angry, ‘Dull thing, I say so,’ etc.?  Do you think Moulton right in supposing that Prospero governs ’this incarnation of caprice by outcapricing him’; Rolfe, in supposing that Prospero is irritable because under the strain and suspense of conducting affairs within three hours perfectly, and upon which accuracy hangs his future and the happiness of his daughter?  This was also his only chance of retrieving his own past error.

Contrast Ariel with Caliban.  Show the skill of Caliban’s first appearance as some slow-moving thing, half of water, half of earth, in contrast with Ariel’s second appearance as a nymph.  What may be learned of Caliban’s traits from Miranda’s speech (as in the Folio, but by various editors given to Prospero):  ‘Abhorred slave,’ etc.?  Do you think this speech should be given to Prospero?  What signs are there of Caliban’s having a good mind?  Do you think Prospero’s tyranny over Caliban altogether justified?  Is Caliban’s penitence consistent with his nature?  How far does Ariel proceed independently of Prospero?  Is he really fond of him?

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION

Is there any bond of love between Prospero and his servants?  Do the relations between them illustrate the impossibility of gratitude?

2.  THE LOVERS