Welcome to the Island: An Introduction to The Tempest
Welcome! You are about to dive into The Tempest, which is often called William Shakespeare’s "farewell to the stage." It is a story about magic, revenge, family, and what it means to be free. Don't worry if Shakespearean English feels like a foreign language at first—by the end of these notes, you'll be navigating Prospero's island like a pro!
For your OCR A Level English Literature (H472) exam, you need to know how Shakespeare uses language to create meaning, how the play reflects the world it was written in, and how different people have interpreted it over the last 400 years. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
1. The Big Picture: What Happens?
Think of The Tempest as a high-stakes "reality TV show" directed by a wizard. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, was kicked out of his home by his brother and left on a deserted island with his daughter, Miranda. Years later, he uses magic to create a massive storm (the "tempest") to shipwreck his enemies on that same island so he can get his revenge.
Quick Review: The Three Main Groups
To keep track of the characters, imagine them in three distinct groups:
1. The Royals: Prospero’s enemies (Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio) wandering the island.
2. The Servants: Caliban (the island's native) and Ariel (the spirit) who do Prospero's work.
3. The Lovers: Miranda and Ferdinand, who fall in love at first sight (with a little help from magic).
Key Takeaway: The play isn't just about a shipwreck; it's about Prospero deciding whether to forgive his enemies or punish them.
2. Key Characters: Who’s Who?
Prospero (The Mastermind)
Prospero is the protagonist. He is powerful but can also be quite scary and controlling. Think of him like a strict director of a play. He uses his books and his staff to control everyone else.
Analogy: Prospero is like a parent who has the password to the Wi-Fi; he has all the power and decides who gets what.
Miranda (The Innocent)
She has lived on the island since she was three. She is empathetic (she feels sorry for others) and is amazed by the "brave new world" of people she sees.
Common Mistake: Don't assume Miranda is just a "weak" girl. While she is sheltered, she is also brave enough to stand up to her father for Ferdinand.
Caliban (The Outsider)
He is the son of the witch Sycorax and believes the island belongs to him. Prospero treats him like a slave. In modern readings, Caliban is often seen as a victim of colonization.
Did you know? Caliban’s name is often thought to be an anagram of "cannibal," reflecting Jacobean fears of "uncivilized" people.
Ariel (The Spirit)
Ariel is a magical spirit who can fly, become invisible, and change shape. Ariel wants one thing: freedom. Ariel carries out all of Prospero’s magic but reminds him to be merciful.
Key Takeaway: Character relationships are built on power. Everyone is either serving someone or trying to get someone else to serve them.
3. Major Themes to Watch For
Magic and Art
Magic in this play represents theatre itself. When Prospero performs magic, he is like a playwright putting on a show. At the end, when he gives up his magic, many people think this is Shakespeare saying goodbye to writing plays.
Power and Authority
The play asks: Who is the rightful ruler? Is it Prospero (the Duke)? Or Caliban (the native)?
Mnemonic: Remember U.S.R.P.
- Usurpation (taking power illegally)
- Sovereignty (who is the king?)
- Rebellion (trying to take over)
- Power (who holds the magic staff?)
Forgiveness vs. Revenge
Prospero spends the whole play planning revenge, but in the final act, he chooses virtue (doing the right thing) over vengeance. This is a crucial turning point for his character.
Key Takeaway: The "storm" in the title isn't just the weather; it's the emotional storm inside Prospero as he struggles to forgive.
4. The Context: The World of 1611
To get the top marks, you need to show you understand the context (the time it was written).
The Age of Discovery
In the early 1600s, European explorers were "discovering" the Americas. People in England were fascinated by stories of shipwrecks and "exotic" islands. Shakespeare used these real-life accounts to build his island setting.
Analogy: For people in 1611, news of the "New World" was as exciting and scary as news about landing on Mars would be for us today.
The Great Chain of Being
People back then believed in a strict social order: God at the top, then Kings, then Nobles, then Peasants, then Animals. When Prospero is kicked out of Milan, the Chain of Being is broken, and the "tempest" is a sign of nature reacting to that chaos.
The Masque
King James I (the King at the time) loved Masques—lavish court entertainments with music and costumes. Shakespeare includes a mini-masque in Act 4 to celebrate Ferdinand and Miranda’s engagement. This was a way to please the King!
Key Takeaway: The play reflects 17th-century fears about rebellion and the excitement of exploring new lands.
5. Language and Structure
Verse vs. Prose
Shakespeare uses different styles of speaking to show social status:
- Iambic Pentameter (Blank Verse): High-status characters (like Prospero and Miranda) usually speak in this rhythmic style (da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM).
- Prose: Lower-status characters (like the drunken Stephano and Trinculo) speak in normal, non-rhythmic sentences.
Interesting Twist: Caliban often speaks in beautiful verse, showing that he is more than just a "monster."
The Three Unities
Usually, Shakespeare’s plays jump around in time and place. However, The Tempest follows the Unities: the action happens in one place (the island) and in "real time" (about 3 or 4 hours). This makes the play feel very intense and focused.
Key Takeaway: Pay attention to how a character speaks. If a "monster" speaks like a poet, Shakespeare is trying to tell you something important about their soul.
6. Different Interpretations (Critical Views)
The exam wants you to know that there isn't just one "right" way to read the play.
The Post-Colonial Reading
Modern audiences often focus on Caliban. They see him as a native person whose land was stolen by a colonizer (Prospero). In this version, Prospero is the villain, not the hero.
The Feminist Reading
Feminist critics look at Miranda. She is the only woman on the island. Is she a powerful character, or just a pawn used by her father to regain his Dukedom?
The Biographical Reading
This view sees Prospero as Shakespeare. When Prospero says, "Our revels now are ended," critics believe it is Shakespeare's way of telling the audience he is retiring from writing.
Key Takeaway: Don't be afraid to have an opinion! As long as you can point to a line in the play to prove it, your interpretation is valid.
7. Exam Tips: How to Score High
1. Focus on the Extract: In the exam, you'll get a short passage. Don't just talk about that passage in isolation—always link it back to the whole play.
2. Use Terminology: Instead of saying "he uses a metaphor," try saying "the nautical imagery reflects the theme of displacement."
3. Avoid the "Plot Dump": The examiner knows what happens. Don't retell the story. Instead, analyze why Shakespeare wrote it that way.
4. Look for Patterns: Notice how "noise," "music," and "sounds" are mentioned constantly. The island is "full of noises." Why? (Hint: It adds to the magical, dream-like atmosphere).
Final Encouragement: Shakespeare can be tricky, but The Tempest is a story about second chances. Just like the characters on the island, you might feel a bit lost at first, but keep exploring and you'll find your way!