For OCR A Level English Literature
THE TEMPEST
Essential Revision Guide
, Prospero
Quotes
‘rapt in secret studies’ – Prospero is immersed in his magic and has magical abilities,
could it be argued he was neglecting his duty as a King, therefore Antonio took his
place?
‘tonight thou shall have cramps side stitches that pen thy breath up’- Cruelty and
violence shown by Prospero towards Caliban, as well as the nobles later on in the play,
brutality and anger.
‘the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance’ – Prospero’s coming to forgive those who
sinned against him by the end of the play.
‘I’ll drown my book’ – Prospero gives up his magical powers, a selfless sacrifice perhaps,
realising his past error of being far too immersed in them.
‘rough magic’ – The magic Prospero uses as he admits is not pure or holy but rough, may
this link to the occult and a dark version of Prospero.
A05- Critics
‘Prospero’s art is to achieve supremacy over the natural world by holy magic.’ -Daniel
‘The most blasphemous play Shakespeare ever wrote.’ -Hall
‘Prospero must do the right thing and forgive his enemies; he manages to do it but only
reluctantly and after a struggle’ -Rowan Williams
‘Prospero is an imperialist by circumstance, a sadist by disease and above all an old
man in whom envy and revenge are equally matched.’ – George Lamming
A05- Stagings
2013 Roger Allam-
protective, caring, ‘first 1982 Derek Jacobi-
and foremost a father’ 1979 Derek Jarman-
Occult garments, sign
Michael Billingham
with a pointing hand
Wild overgrown hair, lost
representing black magic
control of magic, Miranda
in room next to Caliban,
not protective
THE TEMPEST
Essential Revision Guide
, Prospero
Quotes
‘rapt in secret studies’ – Prospero is immersed in his magic and has magical abilities,
could it be argued he was neglecting his duty as a King, therefore Antonio took his
place?
‘tonight thou shall have cramps side stitches that pen thy breath up’- Cruelty and
violence shown by Prospero towards Caliban, as well as the nobles later on in the play,
brutality and anger.
‘the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance’ – Prospero’s coming to forgive those who
sinned against him by the end of the play.
‘I’ll drown my book’ – Prospero gives up his magical powers, a selfless sacrifice perhaps,
realising his past error of being far too immersed in them.
‘rough magic’ – The magic Prospero uses as he admits is not pure or holy but rough, may
this link to the occult and a dark version of Prospero.
A05- Critics
‘Prospero’s art is to achieve supremacy over the natural world by holy magic.’ -Daniel
‘The most blasphemous play Shakespeare ever wrote.’ -Hall
‘Prospero must do the right thing and forgive his enemies; he manages to do it but only
reluctantly and after a struggle’ -Rowan Williams
‘Prospero is an imperialist by circumstance, a sadist by disease and above all an old
man in whom envy and revenge are equally matched.’ – George Lamming
A05- Stagings
2013 Roger Allam-
protective, caring, ‘first 1982 Derek Jacobi-
and foremost a father’ 1979 Derek Jarman-
Occult garments, sign
Michael Billingham
with a pointing hand
Wild overgrown hair, lost
representing black magic
control of magic, Miranda
in room next to Caliban,
not protective
