Script work - Who should be duke of Milan?

Script work - Who should be duke of Milan? Judge: Antonio, you are charged with illegally usurping the dukedom of Milan. Do you plead guilty, or not guilty? Antonio: Not guilty. Judge: Prosecution, you may call your first to give evidence: Miranda. P Lawyer: Miss Miranda, how long have you known about your father's unfortunate past? Miranda: Oh, well I only found out yesterday. I have always had memories of being on a boat, and a huge storm arising, but I thought I must have been dreaming, or at least making it up. P Lawyer: And do you think that Mr Antonio was right to banish your father? Miranda: No I certainly do not! My father was always good and kind to Antonio. Antonio is cruel to exile his own flesh and blood. And an innocent four-year-old girl. When the storm arose that night, we could have died. But Antonio didn't care at all. All he ever wanted was father's money and happy lifestyle! P Lawyer: No further questions Your Honour. Next I'd like to call Mr. Prospero to the stand. (When Prospero is there) Mr Prospero, can you tell me what made you a good Duke? Prospero: Well, like I told my daughter yesterday, I made a good Duke because I spent a lot of time studying and reading in my Library, and yet I still managed to solve the problems, and legal troubles of my people. P Lawyer: And, can you tell the courts how you coped with all the problems - what your

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Power and Punishment In The Tempest

What do these two extracts add to an audience's understanding of the theme of power and punishment in the Tempest? The main form of power we see in The Tempest is magical power. We see this theme constantly in the play, as Prospero uses his magical power to control what happens and how people act on the island. He uses his powers to get what he wants. The whole background to the storyline is that Prospero was busy learning his powers and now that people have betrayed him, Prospero is again using his powers to bring his enemies onto the island to punish them. In this story, there are also a lot of other characters trying to get themselves power for example Sebastian or Stephano. In these two extracts, we see the extent of Prospero's power. Extract 1 - Act 3 Scene 2 The character of Stephano is a very strange one. Stephano is a butler who is often drunk. He is used to serving other kings and is desperate for some power himself. He is trying throughout Act 3 Scene 2 to be regal and king-like. He uses Caliban as his slave to help him portray his foolish image of a king. As Stephano is drunk, it makes the comedy of the situation better. He uses exaggerated language and actions to act like a king, which makes him appear to the audience as a complete fool. Stephano repeatedly uses phrases such as "servant monster" towards Caliban. Stephan orders Caliban about with artificial

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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In the light of this comment, discuss the [dramatic] ways in which Shakespeare presents the issue of control and authority in The Tempest.

'Drama essentially has its basis in the operation and effects of control by one character or characters over others' In the light of this comment, discuss the [dramatic] ways in which Shakespeare presents the issue of control and authority in The Tempest. Shakespeare presents the issue of control and authority in a different and unique way in The Tempest, in that one character, Prospero, has absolute control over all the other characters in the play; a technique which is not used by Shakespeare in any other work. The drama, if based in the operation and effects of control, can be found where Prospero exercises his authority, which is on varying levels. He embodies the roles of ruler, master, father and colonist in the play, and controls all the other characters in these different roles. However, although Prospero provides the fundamental basis for control (and therefore drama), there is conflict and control among the other characters, for example, that of Sebastian and Antonio over Gonzalo. The first scene, in which the tempest Prospero generates takes place, is significant as it sets the ideas of authority and control and is clearly very dramatic. The shipwreck alone can be seen to symbolise the surrendering of self-control, as the Lords become helpless to the elemental forces. However, as it is Prospero who creates the storm, in this first scene they are surrendering

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How does Shakespeare use language to convey Prospero's character in act one scene two

How does Shakespeare use language to convey Prosperos character in Act 1 Scene 2? Shakespeare shows his characters to be unique. They each have extraordinary characteristics ands personalities in the play. The main character whom I am going to concentrate on is Prospero. I will be focusing on his gestures and language and how this suits his character in the tempest. Prospero is a powerful, sharp, determined and a loving farther. He is willing to change and can also become mercurial at times. Prospero is considerate yet stern. So how does Shakespeare use language to convey prosperos character? Example one: Prospero uses similes, metaphors and detailed description to emphasis the horror of Ariel's situation before he came to the island. This highlights his own power as he sets Ariel free. "She did confine thee.... into a cloven pine". Here Prospero is reminding Ariel of what he's been through (Sycorax) Prospero is conveying his power and mercy upon Ariel. Prospero keeps using blackmail against Ariel (so Ariel can stay and serve Prospero). Prospero quotes "Once a month recount what thou hast been" Here Prospero is convincing Ariel to once a month recount and remind himself of what he's been through and that Prospero has helped Ariel through his bad times. This now gives Ariel no chance but to listen to Prospero under pressure and for giving short

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Prospero’s relationships throughout William Shakespeare’s play the “Tempest”.

Matthew Meaney 11GR English Coursework. : DRAFT. Prospero's relationships throughout William Shakespeare's play the "Tempest". Since Prospero is the central character of the play, most of the relationships shown and developed in the play concern him. He has his main dealings and relationships with Miranda, Ferdinand, Alonso, Antonio and Caliban. Miranda is his daughter, and was exiled along with him to this island. Prospero has cared solely for her in the last sixteen years, and thus is very protective of her. Prospero is the only male that Miranda has seen. He helps Miranda and Ferdinand to become betrothed, and as a kind of test he makes Ferdinand do chores to establish whether in a sense he is "worthy" of Miranda. Prospero is uneasy about his daughter, Miranda and Ferdinand getting together. When he sees the true love between them, and that his little girl is not so little anymore, he consents to their marriage. His relationship with Ferdinand is much shorter than his relationship with Miranda obviously. In order for him to test Ferdinand Prospero accuses him of various things, such as being a spy, but the fact that Ferdinand repeatedly exclaims, "any burden is made, light if he can see the face of Miranda pleases Prospero". It almost shows to him that Ferdinand is committed to his daughter and is prepared to do anything for her.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Miranda's diary

Miranda's diary I couldnt believe it when that huge storm appeared from no where last night. I seen a ship get torn apart during the storm. I believed it was Father who caused this atrocity by casting a spell upon the ship, using his magic powers; he cast a storm over the ship consisting of thunder and lightning and strong winds which rocked the ship, creating havoc and impossible working conditions. When I questioned him he was quick to admit that he had done it but not because he wanted to harm anyone but as I believe he is planning to use it for his own pleasure. As I questioned why, he changed the subject and told me of how we came to the island. My father has tried many times to tell me the truth, but couldn't as he felt it was the wrong time and didn't have the courage, but suddenly out of no where he started to tell me, and I felt as if asking why he caused the storm was a quirky subject. Instead, I carried on listening, ready to find out the truth. My last memories of our wealthy life were that of three years old when I was pampered by women who looked after me. Father reminded me what it was like then and how he ruled the state. Prospero was the Duke of Milan and Mother the Princess. I'm the only child and only heir to the throne but what I found out was that being the heir didn't matter. Uncle Antonio was given power over the state by father, whilst

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  • Level: GCSE
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The genre of The Tempest.

The genre of The Tempest: The Tempest is customarily identified as the William Shakespeare's last piece. These marginal issues aside, The Tempest is the forth, final and finest of Shakespeare's great and/or late romances. Along with Pericles, Cymbeline and The Winters Tale, The Tempest belongs t the genre of Elizabethan romance plays. It combines elements of Tragedy (Prospero's revenge/Loss of a royal son) with those of romantic comedy (the young lover Ferdinand and Miranda) and, like one of Shakespeare's problem plays, Measure for measure, it poses deeper questions that are not completely resolved at the end. The romantic gesture is distinguished by the inclusion (and synthesis) of these tragic, comic, and problematic ingredients, and further marked by a happy ending(usually concluding in a masque or dance) in which all, or most, of the characters are brought into harmony. The term romance is given to the comedies written at the end of Shakespeare's career. Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winters Tale and the Tempest. They were written between 1608 and 1612 and are different in style to his earlier comedies. Whilst love and marriage are they key themes in these plays, they focus primarily on the separations and reunions of families and culminate in homecomings, reconciliation's, rebirth and redemption. The romances are, characteristically, set in mythical worlds, and include

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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The Tempest - Prospero from the start has been the overall ruler and from evidence in this book I will try to find out if he is a fine leader and is able to cope and mange activities on an island as well as a duke in Milan.

Salman Ali Prospero from the start has been the overall ruler and from evidence in this book I will try to find out if he is a fine leader and is able to cope and mange activities on an island as well as a duke in Milan. I will look at his relationship with certain characters in the play, the situations he is put in and how he handles them and in what ways he does so, whether it is, just, in haste, or if it a rational decision which is for the bettering of the society. When at the start we hear Prospero telling Miranda how they came to be upon the island it seems that Prospero is seeking revenge on all who betrayed him and ha a hand in snatching away his dukedom, "a brother should be so perfidious" and so it looks like he would love to take revenge on his brother, now duke of Milan, at this time in the book it seems he would make a bad leader, the type that would be full of conflict and hatred Prospero's magical powers allow him to single-handedly take control all situations that are occurring on the island, this was as a result of him being extradited from his dukedom in Milan and the time available to further his studies in the, "secret studies". Prospero is a very powerful person and using his spell books he is able to conjure up spirits and control the island though this medium. The most powerful of these spirits controls is Ariel and most of his work is done through

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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What Impressions Of Prospero Do You Get From The Way He Talks and Acts in Act 1 Scene 2 and Act 5 Scene 1?

What impressions of Prospero do you get from the way he talks and acts in Act 1 Scene 2 and Act 5 Scene 1? As the play progresses, Prospero dramatically changes. In Act 1 Scene 2, Shakespeare presents Prospero as a powerful, calculating and commanding character. Also in Act 1 Scene 2, he manipulates and controls Ariel. However, in Act 5 Scene 1 he changes dramatically. Whilst he remains powerful and commanding, us as the audience get a completely different impression of him from the way he acts and by the tone of his voice. We begin to see a more merciful, forgiving character. In Act 1 Scene 2, Prospero is full of vengeance. We know this because he creates the tempest as part of his revenge, "the tempest that I bade thee". The audience get the impression that he is an evil and tyrannical individual. It also evokes sympathy from the audience for the ones he is attempting to get revenge from. Whereas in Act 5 Scene 1, Prospero is willing to reconcile. We see an example of this when he tells Sebastian and Antonio that he will not tell Alonso about their treason plot, "I will tell no tales". This shows the audience that Prospero really does want to sincerely reconcile and that he can be compassionate. This is done in an aside; therefore only the audience, Prospero, Sebastian and Antonio hear this. This excites and involves the audience; enhancing the performance. Throughout

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Did Shakespeare make a dramatic mistake in making Prospero so dominant?

Did Shakespeare make a dramatic mistake in making Prospero so dominant? Prospero plays the most significant role in the play in that he is on stage longer than any other character and he controls the fate of all the others on the island. However this does not mean that this is a good thing, this does have an impact whether or not Shakespeare did made a mistake in making Prospero so dominant. I feel he did and for the purpose of this essay I will be concerned with considering the 'dramatic' consequences of Prospero's dominance. Prospero is one of Shakespeare's more enigmatic protagonists. In our first glimpse of him, he appears puffed up and self important and his repeated insistence that Miranda pay attention suggests that his story is boring her. Once Prospero moves on to a subject other than his absorption in the pursuit of knowledge, Miranda's attention is riveted. The pursuit of knowledge gets Prospero into trouble in the first place. By neglecting everyday matters when he was duke, he gave his brother a chance to rise up against him. His possession and use of magical knowledge renders him extremely powerful and not entirely sympathetic. His punishments of Caliban are petty and vindictive, as he calls upon his spirits to pinch Caliban when he curses. He is defensively autocratic with Ariel. For example, when Ariel reminds his master of his promise to relive him of his

  • Word count: 1459
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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