Magic and Corruption

The Tempest: Magic and Corruption

1

Analyse how Ariel’s speech (to Prospero) from Act 1 Scene 2 presents him as a magical character.

ARIEL To fl y To swim, to dive into the fi re, to ride On the curled clouds.

[2]

2

Analyse how Prospero’s speech (to Caliban) from Act 1 Scene 2 presents his magical powers.

PROSPERO For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps, Side-stitches, that shall pen thy breath up.

3

Analyse how Sebastian’s speech (to Antonio) from Act 2 Scene 1 shows corruption.

SEBASTIAN Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent. As thou got’st Milan, I’ll come by Naples. Draw thy sword! [2]

4

Analyse how Sebastian and Antonio’s speech from Act 3 Scene 3 shows corruption.

SEBASTIAN The next advantage [aside to Antonio] Will we take thoroughly. ANTONIO Let it be tonight, [aside to Sebastian] For now they are oppressed with travail; they Will not, not cannot use such vigilance As when they are fresh. [3]

[3]

5

Analyse how this extract of Prospero’s speech from Act 5, Scene 1 presents magical powers.

PROSPERO to the dread rattling thunder Have I given re and rifted Jove’s stout oak With his own bolt; the strong-based promontory Have I made shake and by the spurs pluck’d up The pine and cedar: graves at my command Have waked their sleepers, oped, and let ’em forth By my so potent art. But this rough magic I here abjure.

[4]

6

Compare how these extracts from Act 3 Scene 3 and Act 5 Scene 1 present corruption. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.

ARIEL You are three men of sin, whom Destiny, That hath to instrument this lower world And what is in’t, the never-surfeited sea Hath caused to belch up you; and on this island Where man doth not inhabit; you ’mongst men Being most un t to live.

PROSPERO You, brother mine, that entertain’d ambition, Expell’d remorse and nature; who, with Sebastian, Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong, Would here have kill’d your king; I do forgive thee, Unnatural though thou art. [6]