Question

The Tempest

Describe how being on the island heightens the personality traits of the characters of the Tempest. Choose one character from each group to describe the effects of the island. Group A: Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, Gonzalo. Group B: Trinculo, Prospero, Caliban. Group C: Ferdinand, Ariel. Group D: Sycorax, Miranda. Group E: Stefano.

Answer 1

(Answer) In the Shakespearean play, ‘The Tempest”, there is a group of people who are shipwrecked on an island. It so happens that a part of the island is already occupied. Both the groups of people have had a close connection with each other prior to landing on the island. All of these characters have unfinished business with each other. Some of this business is of questionable legality.

Since there are fewer eye-witnesses around and no authority in particular to convict them, they indulge in questionable activities. Some of the rather ambitious characters are ready to go to any lengths to achieve their ends. With such hostile attitudes, the island brings out a primal nature in the characters.

1. Antonio: Conspires with Sebastian to kill Alonso in order to usurp his throne.

Behaviour: The Island gives him an opportunity to bring his greed for the throne and power into realisation.

1. Prospero: Former Duke who escapes to the island with his daughter when he found out Alonso wanted to usurp his throne by killing him.

Behaviour: Even though he was a victim of injustice and cunning plans, he proves that he is no different from the people who are treating him with injustice as he ends up treating the people around him in the same manner.

1. Ariel: Ghost imprisoned in a tree, freed by Prospero only to be enslaved by him.

Behaviour: Was a slave, then free and then a faithful servant to Prospero. Because of her faithfulness, Prospero finally sets her free. She is a character determined to earn the freedom of her soul without performing conniving acts that would make her lose her soul.

1. Sycorax: Witch who imprisoned the ghost Ariel in a tree.

Behaviour: Not much is said about Sycorax as she is already dead in the story. However, much can be assumed about this witch who has imprisoned a soul in a tree.

1. Stephano: A butler who conspires with Sycorax’s troglodyte son Caliban to kill his slave owner Prospero.

Behaviour: Seems to be a compulsively evil character that is evil for evil’s sake. He does not stand to gain too much from Prospero’s death. But, that does not stop him from willing to help Caliban kill Prospero’s