All characters with a name, Shakespeare wants the audience to pay attention to because he shall use them further in the play. By giving them a name, he highlights that they are important.
The audience can now make deductions about characters.
Alonso gives the audience the impression that he is worried, but is also kind and caring.
“Good Boatswain, have care.” Alonso is the king of Naples.
Antonio and Sebastian however are rude and shall always put their safety before the kings.
“Hang, cur, hang, you whoreson insolent noise maker!” This shows inconsideration and rudeness.
Gonzalo is happy and humorous. He is the peacemaker. He is also loyal to the king.
“The king and prince at prayers, lets assist them, for our case is theirs.”
The second scene is significant because it introduces the islands dwellers in more detail. It gives us a longer account of Prospero’s past. It tells us why there was a tempest, and why Prospero and Miranda are on the island. This gives the audience information about the background of the play and clarifies what happened in the first scene.
Once the audience discovers that the storm is not natural and find out that Prospero created the storm, it then keeps them engrossed in the play. By doing this, Shakespeare makes the audience think what kind of a man Prospero really is. Prospero uses fewer words to create more meaningful images.
“He needs will be.”
Prospero also uses contractions during his speech.
“Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink.” This shows the urgency of Prospero to tell his story. Prospero shows his feelings to the audience this makes his story telling more dramatic.
After Prospero’s long speech, the audience is introduced to Ariel, who is known as a creature of the supernatural. Prospero is pleased with Ariel for having completed his work.
“My brave spirit.” But Prospero tells him there is more to do.
“At least two glasses. The time ‘twixt six and now must by us both be spent most preciously.” This tells the audience the time frame, which is between two and six.
When Ariel asks for freedom, Prospero loses his temper and refers to Ariel as ungrateful. This lets the audience see how Prospero really is, it shows another side of him. Prospero then recounts to the story of Sycorax. This allows the audience to understand more about the background of the play. Ariel appears to be frightened of Prospero and answers like a child being told off.
“I do not sir.”
With the introduction of Caliban, the audience are able to compare and contrast Prospero’s attitude towards his two servants Ariel and Caliban. This enables the audience to sort out its thoughts for Prospero. When Caliban is introduced, Prospero’s vicious side is shown.
“Dull thing. I’ll rack thee with old cramps”
The audience has so far not been prepared for this vicious side of Prospero and as a result would probably feel more sympathy for Caliban who can only answer
“I must eat my dinner.” This is followed with Calibans account of the story which gets even more sympathy from the audience.
The scene ends with the introduction of Ferdinand and the meeting with Miranda who immediately falls in love with him. Although Prospero wants the two to fall in love, he does not speak in a kind way towards him. This explains to the audience that he does not want Ferdinand to take Miranda for granted, otherwise he will not value her.
At this point the audience is faced with Miranda who is no longer obedient, she gives more of her affection to Ferdinand and she is willing to defy her father for this mans love. Prospero becomes very angry with his daughter.
“My foot my tutor?” He tells her that if she continues, she will make him hate her.
“Silence! One word more shall make me childe thee, if not hate thee.”
The end of act one radically alters our impression of Prospero and Shakespeare has engaged the audience’s attention.
