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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. The beginning of The Tempest takes place

2. Prospero accuses Ferdinand of

3. The two men who retreat to their cabins during the storm are

4. Why does Ferdinand prefer not to do Prospero's work?

5. Prospero gives Ferdinand a hard time in order to

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the drunken Stephano think he sees when he happens upon Caliban and Trinculo?

2. When Caliban starts babbling to Stephano and Trinculo about what he can show them on the island, what is Trinculo's initial thought?

3. How does Antonio persuade Sebastian to go along with the plan to assassinate Alonso and take over Naples?

4. In Act III, Scene I, what contrasts are shown between Ferdinand and Miranda?

5. Alonso helped Antonio usurp Prospero's throne. Why does Prospero have Ariel lull him to sleep? What does this scene say about Alonso's character?

6. During the storm, what can the audience already infer about Gonzalo's character and why?

7. How does the audience learn about Ariel's past on the island?

8. During the storm, what can the audience already infer about Antonio's character and why?

9. How does Prospero's treatment of Caliban mirror Antonio's past treatment of Prospero?

10. In Act III, Scene I, Ferdinand recites a soliloquy as he stacks wood. What does he talk about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Antonio used Prospero and took advantage of him fifteen years prior to the play in Milan. Can it be argued that Alonso was as much a victim of Antonio's manipulation as Prospero was? What about Sebastian? Support your argument with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Miranda and Ferdinand's union? Is it true love, or a scheme orchestrated by Prospero? What role does it play in "The Tempest?" Cite specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Prospero uses his magic to conjure a banquet for his enemies. Why does he do this, rather than use his magic in a different way to punish them? What is the significance of the banquet? What was Shakespeare's intention with the inclusion of this scene?

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