The Tempest

from The Tempest

Soliloquy by William Shakespeare

Background

The Tempest, from which this excerpt is taken, is believed the be the last play Shakespeare wrote alone. In The Tempest, Proposero, the duke of Milan and a powerful magician, was exiled from Italy and left to die at sea by his brother, Antonio, and Alonso, the King of Naples. After twelve years, Fortune finally sends Antonio and Alonso within Prospero's reach. He conjures a powerful storm, the tempest, causing his enemies to shipwreck on his island. Prospero then seeks to use his magic to make these lords restore him to his rightful position.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

William Shakespeare is generally considered the greatest playwright in the English language. From about 1592 on, he performed in and wrote plays in London. The location most closely associated with him is the Globe Theatre. Most of Shakespeare's early plays are about historical figures, although he also wrote more light-hearted comedies. Later, Shakespeare penned his famous tragedies including Hamlet and Macbeth.

Setting A Purpose

In The Tempest, Propsero, who has learned to cast spells from a book of magic, rules over a mystical island. As you read, think about what Propspero plans to do with his power and what it means for his character.

Excerpt:

• A short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing.

• In literature, the word "from" in from of the title indicates that it is an excerpt and not the entire piece of of writing.

Soliloquy

• In a drama, a soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage.

• In soliloquies, characters seem to be thinking aloud, revealing thoughts, feelings and plans.

Monologue

• A speech that is often directed to another character.

Let's Read

Go to page 145 in your textbook

Multiple Choice

Is this an example of a soliloquy or monologue?

Ex: "Have I made shake, and by the spures plucked up

The pine and cedar; graves at my command

Have waked their sleeps, oped, and let 'em forth

By my so potent art. But this rough magic

I here abjure."

• Soliloquy

• Monologue

Multiple Choice

The word from in the title below indicates that this is a _____________

from The Tempest

• Memoir

• Play

• Excerpt

• Short Story

Multiple Select

"By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make

Whereof the ewe not bites; and you whose pastime

Is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice

To heart the solemn curfew"

What words in this passage help you uderstand when fairies and other magical creatures were free to come out? Select 3.

• Moonshine

• Midnight

• Bites

• Rejoice

• Sour ringlets

Multiple Choice

Abjure means to renounce or to "give up"

What does Prospero mean when he says "By my so potent art. But this rough magic/ I here abjure."

• This could indicate that Prospero is ready to use his magic for further evil.

• These lines suggest that Prospero is willing to do everything he can to remain powerful through magic.

• These lines suggest that Prospero is willing to give up using magic for evil purposes.

Open Ended

What does Prospero plan to do with his source of power? What does that tell you about Prospero's character? Look at lines 18-25 to help guide your thinking.