The Tempest Questions - to improve your understanding.
Simple Questions:
1. Who is the rightful Duke of Milan in the play?
2. Where is most of the action in "The Tempest" set?
3. What is the name of the spirit who serves Prospero?
4. Who is the daughter of Prospero in the play?
5. What causes the shipwreck at the beginning of the play?
6. Which character on the island is described as "a freckled whelp hag-born"?
7. What does Caliban claim to know better than his own name?
8. What type of being does Prospero use to create the tempest?
9. Who falls in love with Miranda at first sight?
10. What instrument does Ariel often use to create music in the play?
Medium Difficulty Questions:
1. How does Prospero gain his magical powers in "The Tempest"?
2. Describe the relationship between Prospero and Ariel. What role does Ariel play in
Prospero's schemes?
3. Explain the significance of the harpy's appearance in the play. What is the harpy's
role?
4. How does Caliban's character represent themes of colonization and oppression in
the play?
5. Analyze the character of Antonio and his role in the usurpation of Prospero's
dukedom.
6. What is the masque, and what purpose does it serve in "The Tempest"?
7. How does Ferdinand prove his love for Miranda to Prospero?
8. Discuss the symbolism of the magical books in the play and their role in the story.
9. How does Shakespeare use the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation in "The
Tempest"?
10. What is the significance of the island as a setting in "The Tempest"?
Hard Questions:
1. In what ways does "The Tempest" reflect the colonial and imperialistic themes of
the 17th century?
The Tempest Questions
, 2. Compare and contrast the characters of Prospero and Sycorax in terms of their
use of magic and their treatment of others.
3. Analyze the significance of the storm at the beginning of the play as a metaphor
for the chaos in the lives of the characters.
4. How does Caliban's speech and language change throughout the play, and what does
this reveal about his character?
5. Examine the role of music and sound in "The Tempest" and how it influences the
characters and events.
6. How does the play explore the themes of power and control, both magically and
politically, and how do these themes intersect?
7. Discuss the idea of freedom in "The Tempest" and how characters like Ariel and
Caliban seek it.
8. Analyze the concept of illusion and reality in the play, including Prospero's use of
masques and his manipulation of perceptions.
9. How does the character of Miranda challenge traditional gender roles and
expectations of the time?
10. Explore the symbolism of the tempest itself as a representation of the
transformative power of nature and magic.
The Tempest Questions
Simple Questions:
1. Who is the rightful Duke of Milan in the play?
2. Where is most of the action in "The Tempest" set?
3. What is the name of the spirit who serves Prospero?
4. Who is the daughter of Prospero in the play?
5. What causes the shipwreck at the beginning of the play?
6. Which character on the island is described as "a freckled whelp hag-born"?
7. What does Caliban claim to know better than his own name?
8. What type of being does Prospero use to create the tempest?
9. Who falls in love with Miranda at first sight?
10. What instrument does Ariel often use to create music in the play?
Medium Difficulty Questions:
1. How does Prospero gain his magical powers in "The Tempest"?
2. Describe the relationship between Prospero and Ariel. What role does Ariel play in
Prospero's schemes?
3. Explain the significance of the harpy's appearance in the play. What is the harpy's
role?
4. How does Caliban's character represent themes of colonization and oppression in
the play?
5. Analyze the character of Antonio and his role in the usurpation of Prospero's
dukedom.
6. What is the masque, and what purpose does it serve in "The Tempest"?
7. How does Ferdinand prove his love for Miranda to Prospero?
8. Discuss the symbolism of the magical books in the play and their role in the story.
9. How does Shakespeare use the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation in "The
Tempest"?
10. What is the significance of the island as a setting in "The Tempest"?
Hard Questions:
1. In what ways does "The Tempest" reflect the colonial and imperialistic themes of
the 17th century?
The Tempest Questions
, 2. Compare and contrast the characters of Prospero and Sycorax in terms of their
use of magic and their treatment of others.
3. Analyze the significance of the storm at the beginning of the play as a metaphor
for the chaos in the lives of the characters.
4. How does Caliban's speech and language change throughout the play, and what does
this reveal about his character?
5. Examine the role of music and sound in "The Tempest" and how it influences the
characters and events.
6. How does the play explore the themes of power and control, both magically and
politically, and how do these themes intersect?
7. Discuss the idea of freedom in "The Tempest" and how characters like Ariel and
Caliban seek it.
8. Analyze the concept of illusion and reality in the play, including Prospero's use of
masques and his manipulation of perceptions.
9. How does the character of Miranda challenge traditional gender roles and
expectations of the time?
10. Explore the symbolism of the tempest itself as a representation of the
transformative power of nature and magic.
The Tempest Questions
