‘The Tempest’ is paly writtrn by Shakespeare. It is trgic comic, Here is given explanation of the lesson “The Tempest” given in Class 7 English Textbook. Click here for more detailed line by line explanation.
The Tempest: Character Snapshot
Characters
- Prospero: Powerful sorcerer (with magic powers), rightful Duke of Milan, shipwrecked with daughter Miranda, seeks revenge and redemption.
- Miranda: Prospero’s innocent daughter, raised on the island, unaware of the outside world, encountering love for the first time when she sees Ferdinand.
- Ariel: Playful air spirit, longs for freedom, serves Prospero with magical abilities.
- Caliban: Gruff and resentful islander, enslaved by Prospero, feels cheated of his home (the island).
- Ferdinand: Prince of Naples, brave and kind, falls in love with Miranda at first sight.
- Antonio: Duke of Milan, Prospero’s treacherous brother who usurped his dukedom.
- Sebastian: King Alonso’s scheming brother, plots to overthrow him with Antonio.
- Alonso: King of Naples, father of Ferdinand. grief-stricken, believes his son Ferdinand lost at sea.
- Gonzalo: Wise and loyal counselor to Alonso, offers comfort and hope during the tempest.
- Trinculo: Jester, finds humor in misfortune, partners with drunken butler Stephano.
- Stephano: Drunken and gullible butler, sees Caliban as a monster and dreams of power.
Relationship of Characters
- Prospero
- Role: Father
- Relationship: Miranda (Daughter), Antonio (Brother)
- Miranda
- Role: Daughter
- Relationship: Prospero (Father), Ferdinand (Love interest)
- Ferdinand
- Role: Son
- Relationship: Alonso (Father), Miranda (Love interest)
- Alonso
- Role: Father
- Relationship: Ferdinand (Son), Sebastian (Brother)
- Sebastian
- Role: Brother
- Relationship: Alonso (Brother), Antonio (Conspirator)
- Antonio
- Role: Brother
- Relationship: Prospero (Brother), Sebastian (Conspirator)
Story Board Glossary & Explanation
Glossary
- Tiny boat without sails: A very small boat that doesn’t have sails to catch the wind and move.
- Supplies: Necessary things like food, water, and other items needed for survival.
- Magic and power: Prospero’s ability to perform magical acts and his strength.
- Tempest: A violent storm.
- Chief magical agent: Ariel is Prospero’s main helper in performing magic.
- Witch named Sycorax: A powerful and evil woman who imprisoned Ariel before Prospero freed him.
- Sea nymph: A mythical creature associated with the sea.
- Invisible: Unable to be seen.
- Berate: To scold or criticize someone strongly and angrily. When you berate someone, you express your disapproval of their actions in a harsh manner.
- Lure: To attract or entice someone, often by offering something appealing or tempting.
- Smitten: Feeling strongly attracted or infatuated.
- Charm: To use magic to influence or control someone.
- Ashore: On land, after being at sea.
- Grieves: Feels deep sorrow or sadness.
- Convinces: Persuades or talks someone into believing or doing something.
- Seize the throne: Take control of the kingdom or become the ruler.
- Mourns: Expresses sorrow or grief for a loss.
- Apparent loss: It seems like Ferdinand is lost or dead, though it may not be true.
- Tension: Uncomfortable or strained feelings between characters.
Explanation
A ship carrying the King of Naples, his son Ferdinand, a man named Antonio, and some other important people is caught in a big storm. The people on the ship, except for the calm Boatswain, start to worry about their lives.
After being betrayed, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, were put in a tiny boat without sails and landed on an island. They survived because a kind man named Gonzalo left them supplies, including Prospero’s magic books. Prospero, the master, had a magical agent named Ariel, who created a tempest (storm) to bring a ship to the island. Ariel had been imprisoned by a witch named Sycorax until Prospero freed him.
Later, Prospero ordered Ariel to take the form of a sea nymph and become invisible. Prospero and Miranda visit Caliban, Prospero’s servant and Sycorax’s son, but there is tension between them. Caliban feels Prospero stole the island from him.
Ariel’s magical song lures Ferdinand to Prospero and Miranda. Although Miranda and Ferdinand are attracted to each other, Prospero charms Ferdinand and leads him away to a prison.
Meanwhile, the King of Naples, Alonso, and his group reach another part of the island. Alonso is worried about his son Ferdinand and mourns his apparent loss. Antonio, Prospero’s brother, convinces Sebastian, the king’s younger brother, to seize the throne.
Act III: Scene I –
Explanation Line by Line
Here, The easy explanation of the dialogues is given so that the complexity of understanding Shakespearian English is very much solved for the scene and dialogues given here.
Before Prospero’s Cell
Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log
Ferdinand: There be some sports are painful, and their labour
Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness
Are nobly undergone and most poor matters
Point to rich ends. This my mean task
Would be as heavy to me as odious, but
The mistress which I serve quickens what’s dead
And makes my labours pleasures: O, she is
Ten times more gentle than her father’s crabbed,
And he’s composed of harshness. I must remove
Some thousands of these logs and pile them up,
Upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistress
Weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness
Had never like executor. I forget:
But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours,
Most busy lest, when I do it.
Some games are hard, but the effort they need makes them enjoyable. Certain dishonourable manual jobs are done for good reasons. Many things that don’t make money can lead to wealth later. This hard and undignified work would be dull and disgusting to me, but the woman for whom I am doing this makes what is awful seem wonderful. She makes my hard work seem like a pleasure. Oh, she’s ten times more kind than her father is nasty, and he’s completely nasty. He’s issued a severe command that I have to move thousands of these logs and put them in a stack. My sweet lady cries when she sees me work and says that such humble work has never been done by such a noble person. These sweet thoughts refresh me and make me forget that I am working, especially when I am working the hardest.
Summary (Above Dialogue):
Ferdinand, carrying a log, talks about how some activities are difficult but become enjoyable because the satisfaction of completing them makes the effort worthwhile. He mentions that certain humble tasks lead to valuable outcomes. Although his current job of moving logs would be unpleasant, serving his kind and gentle mistress, who is even more gentle than her harsh father, makes the work enjoyable for him. Ferdinand has to move thousands of logs under a strict order, but Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, appreciates his efforts and becomes emotional seeing him work. Prospero, Miranda’s father, is watching from a distance, unseen.
Glossary:
- Cell: A small room or dwelling.
- Labour: Hard work or effort.
- Baseness: Low or humble qualities.
- Nobly undergone: Facing difficulties with dignity and honor.
- Quickens: Gives life or energy to.
- Odious: Hateful or unpleasant.
- Crabbed: Harsh or difficult to deal with.
- Sore injunction: A strict and challenging order.
- Executor: Someone who carries out a task or order.
- Refresh my labors: Provide relief or make the work more enjoyable.
- Unseen: Not noticed or observed.
Miranda: Alas, now, pray you,
Work not so hard: I would the lightning had
Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin’d to pile!
Pray, set it down and rest you: when this burns,
‘Twill weep for having wearied you. My father
Is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself;
He’s safe for these three hours.
Please, I beg you, don’t work so much. I wish lightning had burned up the logs you’re stacking! Put the log down and take a break. When this wood burns, it’ll cry because it tired you out. My father is busy studying, so please rest. We’re safe from him for the next three hours.
Ferdinand: O most dear mistress,
The Sun will set before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do.
Oh, my dear lady, the sun will set before I’ve finished the work I’ve been told to do.
Miranda: If you’ll sit down,
I’ll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that;
I’ll carry it to the pile.
If you’ll sit down, I’ll carry your logs for a while. Please, give them to me. I’ll carry it to the pile.
Ferdinand: No, precious creature;
I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonour undergo,
While I sit lazy by.
No, my precious darling, I’d rather tear my muscles and break my back than let you do such dishonourable work while I sit lazily nearby.
Miranda: It would become me
As well as it does you: and I should do it
With much more ease; for my good will is to it,
And yours it is against.
The work would suit me as much as it suits you, and it would be easier for me because I want to do it, whereas you do not.
Prospero: (aside) Poor worm, thou art infected!
This visitation shows it.
[To himself] Poor little thing, you’re overwhelmed by love! These lovesick words prove it
Miranda: You look wearily.
You look tired.
Ferdinand: No, noble mistress; ‘tis fresh morning with me
When you are by at night. I do beseech you—
Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers—
What is your name?
No, noble lady. When you’re nearby, I’m as fresh and strong as I am in the morning—even at night. I beg you—so that I can mention it in my prayers—what is your name?
Miranda: Miranda—O my father,
I have broke your hest to say so!
Miranda. Oh, Father, I’ve broken your command to me by telling him that!
Ferdinand: Admired Miranda!
Indeed the top of admiration! worth
What’s dearest to the world! Full many a lady
I have eyed with best regard and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
Have I liked several women; never any
With so full soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed
And put it to the foil: but you, O you,
So perfect and so peerless, are created
Of every creature’s best.
Admired Miranda! You do indeed deserve the utmost admiration, as much as the most treasured thing in the world! I’ve looked at many women with great enjoyment. And I’ve been captivated by the sweet sounds of their voices in my ear (my ear became bondage to such sweet voices) . I liked several women for their many good qualities, but each of them had some flaw that outweighed their best qualities. But you, oh you, are perfect and unmatched, made of the best qualities a woman can have.
Miranda: I do not know
One of my sex; no woman’s face remember,
Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen
More that I may call men than you, good friend,
And my dear father: how features are abroad
I am skilless of; but, by my modesty,
The jewel in my dower, I would not wish
Any companion in the world but you,
Nor can imagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle
Something too wildly and my father’s precepts
I therein do forget.
I haven’t met any women or seen their faces, except for my own in the mirror. You, my friend, and my dear father are the only men I know. I don’t know what people look like in other places. But I swear by my virginity, the most precious thing I have, that I would never want to be with anyone else but you. I can’t even imagine liking any other shape besides yours. But here I am, babbling on and on, forgetting that my father told me not to.
Ferdinand: I am in my condition
A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king;
I would, not so!—and would no more endure
This wooden slavery than to suffer
The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:
The very instant that I saw you, did
My heart fly to your service; there resides
To make me slave to it; and for your sake
Am I this patient log-man.
I am a prince, Miranda—I think I’m probably now a king, though I wish that were not true—and normally I wouldn’t tolerate being forced to carry logs any more than I’d let insects fly into my mouth. But listen to this, from the bottom of my soul. The moment that I saw you, my heart rushed to serve you, and it remains there as your servant. So, for your sake, I patiently carry these logs.
Miranda: Do you love me?
Do you love me?
Ferdinand: O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound
And crown what I profess with kind event
If I speak true! If hollowly, invert
What best is boded me to mischief! I
Beyond all limit of what else i’ the world
Do love, prize, honour you.
Oh, heaven; oh, earth—bear witness to the words I’m about to say. Bless them with the outcome I desire if I speak the truth. If I’m insincere, then turn all the good fortune destined for me into misfortune. I love, cherish, and honour you more than anything else in the world.
Miranda: I am a fool
To weep at what I am glad of.
I’m such a fool to cry at the thing that makes me happy.
Prospero: (aside) Fair encounter
Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace
On that which breeds between ‘em!
[To himself] What a beautiful encounter between two people so utterly in love! May heaven shower blessings on the love growing between them!
Ferdinand: Wherefore weep you?
Why are you crying?
Miranda: At mine unworthiness that dare not offer
What I desire to give, and much less take
What I shall die to want. But this is trifling;
And all the more it seeks to hide itself,
The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning!
And prompt me, plain and holy innocence!
I am your wife, if you will marry me;
If not, I’ll die your maid: to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I’ll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.
I’m crying up at my own unworthy fear, unable to give you what I want to give and hesitant to take what I long for. But that’s not the main issue. The more I try to conceal my feelings, the stronger they become. So, don’t be shy and indirect, Miranda. Let your innocent straightforwardness lead you! I’ll be your wife if you agree to marry me. If not, I’ll remain unmarried, never loving another man. You can reject making me your wife, but I’ll be your servant whether you want me to or not.
Ferdinand: My mistress, dearest;
and I thus humble ever.
You’ll be the one I adore, my dearest. And I’ll serve you as I do now, forever.
Miranda: My husband, then?
You’ll be my husband, then?
Ferdinand: Ay, with a heart as willing
As bondage e’er of freedom: here’s my hand.
Yes, with a heart as eager to become a husband as any slave has ever wanted freedom. Here’s my hand.
Miranda: And mine, with my heart in’t; and now farewell
Till half an hour hence.
[She takes FERDINAND’s hand] And here’s mine, with my heart in it. And now goodbye until half an hour from now
Ferdinand: A thousand thousand!
A million goodbyes.
Prospero: So glad of this as they I cannot be,
Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing
At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book,
For yet ere supper-time must I perform
Much business appertaining.
I can’t share the same surprise and happiness as they do since I planned it all along. Still, nothing could make me happier. Now I’ll go back to my book of magic because there’s a lot of work related to the love developing between Miranda and Ferdinand that I must complete before dinner.
Summary (Above Dialogues):
Miranda is expressing concern for Ferdinand, who is working hard to pile up logs. She wishes that a lightning strike had destroyed the logs he is ordered to move. Miranda wants him to take a break and assures him that her father is busy studying and won’t check on them for three hours.
Ferdinand, in response, expresses his dedication to his task, saying he must complete it before sunset. Miranda offers to help carry the logs, but Ferdinand refuses, stating he would rather endure physical pain than let her do such a humble task.
Miranda insists that it would be appropriate for her to help, and Prospero, watching secretly, comments that Ferdinand is now infected with love. Ferdinand denies feeling weary and asks Miranda for her name. Miranda hesitates but eventually reveals her name, feeling guilty for disobeying her father’s command not to disclose it.
Ferdinand continues praising Miranda, expressing that he has admired many women but found faults in each. However, Miranda, in her modesty, claims to know only her reflection and her father. She confesses her strong feelings for Ferdinand but acknowledges that she may be speaking too boldly and forgetting her father’s teachings.
Ferdinand declares his love for Miranda, explaining that he feels like a prince or even a king when he’s with her. He uses metaphors, comparing his labour to “wooden slavery” and expressing that he became her servant the moment he saw her. Miranda, overwhelmed, asks if he truly loves her, and Ferdinand passionately affirms his love, calling upon heaven and earth to witness it.
Miranda admits to being a fool for crying when she is happy. Prospero, secretly observing, appreciates the rare and genuine affection between Ferdinand and Miranda. They exchange vows of love and commitment, with Miranda declaring herself Ferdinand’s wife. They exit separately, and Prospero expresses his joy while acknowledging he has important tasks to attend to before supper.
Glossary:
- Baseness: low level work
- Undergo: To go or suffer through
- Odious: Extremely unpleasant
- Crabbed: Annoying, irritable, angry & upset
- Sore: Painful & uncomfortable
- Injunction: A formal command or instruction
- Enjoin’d: Ordered or instructed.
- Wearied: Feeling tired
- Strive: To try very hard
- Sinews: Tissue bands joining muscles to bones, it represents source of strength and power
- Dishonour: Insulting and shameful
- Visitation: Meeting, punishment, test under troublesome situations
- Beseech: Beg earnestly
- Hest: Command or order.
- Broke your hest: Disobeyed your command.
- Admiration: Deep respect or wonder.
- Top of admiration: Someone or something highly admired.
- Virtues: Qualities of good moral conduct and sensible nature
- Foil: To render useless, make ineffective
- To the foil: To defeat or surpass.
- Peerless: Better than all others, unsurpassed, matchless
- Modesty: Polite and without any vanity or conceit, very humble
- Dearest: Most precious or valuable.
- Dower: A woman’s property or wealth brought to her husband in marriage.
- Prattle: To chatter or babble, talk a lot unimportant thing
- Precepts: Rules or guidelines of moral conduct.
- Therein: In or into that
- Wooden slavery: Tedious or monotonous work.
- Flesh-fly: A fly that feeds on decaying flesh.
- Log-man: Someone who works with logs or wood.
- Witness: See or watch as a proof to happening something
- Profess: Declare openly.
- Hollowly: Insincerely or without true feelings.
- Boded: Predicted or foretold.
- Trifling: Petty small, of almost no value, negligible
- Bashful: Shy or modest.
- Cunning: Cleverness or skill.
- Bashful: Shy or modest.
- Bashful cunning: Shyness mixed with cleverness.
- Surprised withal: Overwhelmed or taken by surprise.
- Rejoicing: Expressing joy or happiness.
- Appertaining: Relating to or connected with.
- Exeunt: Exit or leave the stage.