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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What part of the scene in which Caliban plans the assassination is somewhat poetic and shows the depth of Caliban?

2. In speaking to Stephano, what does Caliban describe as very important?

3. What does Prospero comment on in regard to Alonso and Antonio?

4. Where are the other men, following the drunken scene with Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban?

5. Who listens in on Caliban's and Stephano's conversation?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act V, Scene I, what is a clue that Antonio and Sebastian are not as repentant of their past misdeeds as Alonso?

2. What does Prospero do following his revelation about the futility of revenge and his self realization?

3. What spirits does Prospero summon for the magical performance when he sees Ferdinand getting too close to Miranda?

4. Describe the tempest and how it is developed metaphorically throughout the play and eventually ended.

5. Why does Prospero, in Act IV, Scene I, decide to torment Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban rather than continue his revenge on Antonio?

6. Following the magical performance with dancing spirits, Prospero recites one of two famous soliloquies. What does he speak of in the soliloquy and who does he parallel with this soliloquy?

7. Describe Prospero's journey that leads to his transformation at the end of the play.

8. In Act V, Scene I, why does Prospero whisper to Antonio and Sebastian that he knows of their plans to kill Alonso?

9. In Prospero's final speech at the play's end, what is the significance of his contemplation of his death? How does it link to his now ended revenge?

10. In Prospero's soliloquy after the magical performance, what is the significance of his reference to the nature of being and the nature of life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ferdinand, Miranda and Gonzalo are considered moral beacons throughout the play. Compare them to other characters in the play, citing examples where their moral and pure characteristics directly contrast with the play's more treacherous characters.

Essay Topic 2

Symbolically, what does the scene involving Caliban, Trinculo, Stephano and the gaudy clothing mean? When Trinculo and Stephano put the clothes on, what and who do they represent?

Essay Topic 3

What is the purpose of the musical scenes in The Tempest? What do they do for the plot? The characters? The audience? Cite examples from the play and bear in mind Shakespeare's contemporary period.

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