View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Caliban happiest about after he meets Trinculo and Stephano?

2. What does Caliban believe Trinculo to be?

3. Ferdinand is the prince of

4. What does Trinculo believe Caliban to be?

5. Who is watching Ferdinand and Miranda from a distance in Act III, Scene I?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the metaphorical significance of the play's title, "The Tempest"?

2. 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?

3. How does Act II, Scene I further character development for the audience?

4. What function in the play is served by Act II, Scene II with Trinculo, Stephano and Caliban?

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

6. Why does Prospero render Ferdinand immobile during Act I, Scene II?

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

8. How does Caliban parallel some of Prospero's characteristics in Act II, Scene II?

9. Why does Prospero make it difficult for Ferdinand to be with Miranda?

10. How are Miranda and Ferdinand different, but also the same?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Caliban a monster? Is he simply a product of his environment? Argue this question, citing specific examples from the play that either prove or disprove his humanity. What do you think Shakespeare intended?

Essay Topic 2

Shakespearean plays tend to have comic relief characters to lighten the drama that is taking place. Describe the characters involved in the Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano trio. What are the comical elements of their scenes? How do they make light of the more serious subplots in the play? What do their scenes do for the play's plot?

Essay Topic 3

Based on Prospero's character throughout the play and your personal thoughts on whether or not he truly underwent a "transformation," write an epilogue for The Tempest. Five or ten years following their departure from the island, write what you believe would happen over the course of that time given what you understand about the play and what seems most logical. What happens to all of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 969 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample