Structured Questions and Answers from The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1 by William Shakespeare
Questions Answers from Passages of The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1
Passages from The Tempest Act 4 Scene 1
1. Prospero: (To Ferdinand) If I have too austerely punish'd you
Your compensation makes amends, for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life,
Or that for which I live; who once again
I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast of her,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.
1. To whom are these words addressed? Bring out the context of the extract?
Answer
These words are addressed to Ferdinand. Prospero is happy with the way Ferdinand has passed his test. He is now convinced that the young man is worthy of Miranda. Moreover, he is delighted that all his enemies are under his control and it is time to unravel his plans. He wants to ensure that Ferdinand ties the knot with his daughter, so he tells the young man the reason for the harsh treatment but, he will be rewarded by having Miranda as his bride.
2. What exactly was the punishment given to the person addressed? Why was it given?
Answer
The person addressed to is Ferdinand. He was given the task of piling wood. He was also given a minimum to eat and drink.
3. What is the compensation for all the troubles caused? Why does Prospero say these words?
Answer
The compensation is the hand of Miranda in marriage. Prospero says this, as he likes Ferdinand and wants him as his son-in-law. He feels, Ferdinand being a prince, would have found the task very hard but, this was essential to test his character and feelings for Miranda. So he says that he has made amends by giving the most precious thing in his life.
4. Why does the speaker tell the other person not to smile?
Answer
Prospero has been praising Miranda in superlative terms, and he tells Ferdinand not to smile considering this as a father's boasting. Miranda richly deserves these words of praise, or maybe more, as she is truly and really all these.
5. How does the other person respond to this?
Answer
Ferdinand says that even if God himself says differently, he will not think otherwise. He will trust the words of Prospero.
6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
austerely; trials; outstrip
Austerely - severely
Trials - tests
Outstrip - beat, surpass
2. Ferdinand :
As I hope
For quiet days, fair issue, and long life,
With such love as 'tis now, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion
Our worser genius can, shall never melt
Mine honour into lust, to take away
The edge of that day's celebration
When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd,
Or night kept chain'd below.
1. To what advice of Prospero does Ferdinand reply in his manner?
Answer
Prospero advises him not to take advantage of Miranda's innocence before marriage. If he breaks his promise, their marriage will be like hell, and the happiness of marriage will be replaced by hatred and contempt, barrenness and strife.
2. Explain the meaning of the extract.
Answer
Ferdinand says that he just wants peace, good children and long life. He won't be tempted by any opportunity to forget his honour and give in to dishonour Miranda. He will await his wedding night with such eagerness and anxiety that the horses drawing up the sun's chariot across the sky carriage will seem to have lost their balance or the night will seem to have been held as a prisoner in the lower regions, never to appear.
3. Give the meaning of 'Phoebus' and 'steeds'. How does Ferdinand reassure Prospero?
Answer
Phoebus is the Sun God, and the steeds are his horses. Ferdinand says as he hopes for peaceful days, good children, long life and the same intensity of love. He will not forego them, even if he is under temptations like the darkest den or the prompting of his own evil thoughts.
4. What does this show of Ferdinand's character? Who enters soon after this? What adjective is used by Prospero for this character?
Answer
Ferdinand has the integrity of character and is noble and sincere. He loves Miranda with heart and soul and is a fit match for her. Ariel enters soon after this and Prospero calls him "my industrious servant".
5. What work is given by Prospero to this character?
Answer
Prospero appoints Ariel to bring all the spirits and motivate them to action to put up a fabulous magic show to entertain the couple.
6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
fair; murkiest; edge
Fair - good-looking
Murkiest - darkest, extremely dull and gloomy
Edge - keen delight
3. Prospero: Fairly spoke.
Sit then and talk with her, she is thine own.
What, Ariel! my industrious servant Ariel!
Enter Ariel.
Ariel: What would my potent master? Here I am.
Prospero: Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
Did worthily perform, and I must use you
In such another trick. Go bring the rabble
O'er whom I give thee pow'r here to this place.
1. Who is Prospero addressing at the beginning of the extract? How did that person come to be there?
Answer
Prospero is addressing Ferdinand. Ferdinand after being shipwrecked had swum to the shore and by Ariel's music was lured to Prospero's cell.
2. What was "fairly spoke"?
Answer
The statement of Ferdinand was "fairly spoke" in which he says that he would not be tempted to do anything that destroys the sacredness of the marriage.
3. What was the "last service" worthily performed by Ariel and his fellows?
Answer
The last service worthily performed by Ariel and his fellows was to spread a banquet before Alonso and his companions. But before those hungry and tired men could eat, Ariel appeared like a harpy and made the banquet to vanish. He then reminded them of the evil they had done to Prospero and Miranda.
4. What is the "such another trick" Prospero wants to use Ariel for and for what purpose?
Answer
Prospero wants Ariel to present a masque before Ferdinand and Miranda. He wants to show them the potency of his art and also to depict the Goddesses Iris, Juno and Ceres blessing them.
5. After the performance of "such another trick" Prospero is disturbed for some reason. What is he reminded of?
Answer
Prospero is disturbed because he is aware of the conspiracy being hatched by Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo against his life.
4. Prospero: Well.
Now come, my Ariel. Bring a corollary,
Rather than want a spirit. Appear and pertly!
Soft music
No tongue! All eyes! Be silent!
1. What does Prospero mean by a 'corollary' and 'want a spirit'?
Answer
Prospero meant that there should be a large group of spirits. It is better than lacking in the required number. He wants the show to be perfect.
2. What does the speaker mean by 'Appear and pertly'?
Answer
He orders the spirits to appear briskly or smartly so that the show will be lively.
3. Why does he say, 'No tongue, all eyes'?
Answer
Prospero wants everyone to see and hear. They should not interrupt the show with any noise. Since it is a magic show, any disturbance will make the spirits vanish.
4. Who comes soon after this? Who is the person calling? Why?
Answer
Ceres, the Goddess of Agriculture walks in. The person calling is Iris who is the messenger of Juno, the wife of Jupiter. She wants to inform Ceres that she has been called by Juno to be present for a meeting of important note.
5. Comment on what is going to happen here?
Answer
A masque is about to take place in which the spirits will disguise as gods and bless the lovers and enact certain acts that thrill the readers but also allegorically convey the transience of life.
6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
corollary; pertly; tongue
Answer
Corollary - extra one, surplus
Pertly - smartly, brisklyCorollary - extra one, surplus
Tongue - noise
5. Ceres: Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers;
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres and my unshrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth: why hath thy queen
Summoned me hither to this short-grass'd green?
1. Who is Ceres? Why is she here?
Answer
Ceres is the Goddess of Agriculture. She has been called by Juno to assist in the fabulous entertainment, in honour of the couple to be married.
2. Who has summoned her? What did the summoner say about Ceres, just before the extract?
Answer
Iris summoned her at the order of Juno. Iris says that Ceres is the most generous goddess who presides over the rich field of wheat, oats and peas, the turfy mountains, meadows covered with hay, and river banks. At her commands, April showers the river banks with marigold; to her belong the vineyards, seashores, and the green groves.
3. How does Ceres describe the summoner?
Answer
Ceres says that Iris, the rainbow messenger of Juno, drops moisture on flowers to refresh them. She acts as a crown to earth and also looks like an ornamental scarf spanning it, end to end.
4. Ceres asks about two people soon after his? Who are they?
Answer
Ceres asks about Venus and her son Cupid. Venus is the Goddess of Love and Cupid, her son, shoots his golden arrow to make people fall in love.
5. Why is Ceres asking about them?
Answer
Ceres hates both of them as they were responsible for depriving her, the company of her daughter. They made the Lord of the Under World fall in love with her daughter, and this resulted in her being taken to the dark region, far away from her mother.
6. What information of these two does she get?
Answer
Iris tells her that she saw Venus and her son were flying towards Paphos to make the couple break their vow of chastity. But their intention failed, and Venus has gone back to her husband. Her son has broken his arrows and instead, decided to play with the sparrows.
7. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
saffron; diffusest; bosky
Answer
Saffron - orange-red in colour
Diffusest - sprinkle
Bosky - bushy, full of thickets
6. Ceres:
Highest queen of state,
Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.
Juno's chariot descends to the stage
Juno: How does my bounteous sister? Go with me
To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,
And honor'd in their issue.
1. Why is Juno known as the highest queen of state?
Answer
Juno is the wife of Jupiter, God of the gods and hence she is the queen of all.
2. How does Ceres know that Juno is coming?
Answer
Ceres can recognize her presence by her manner of walking.
3. What does Juno ask Ceres to do?
Answer
Juno asks Ceres to join her to bless Ferdinand and Miranda to remain prosperous and blessed with children.
4. What blessing does Juno bestow on the couple?
Answer
Juno blesses the couple with honour, riches, and ever-increasing happiness throughout their life.
5. What does Ceres promise to provide for the couple?
Answer
Ceres promises plenty of earth's produce. Their barns will never be empty, vines will be laden with plenty of grapes, and soon after harvest season, they will have Spring so that they will never experience the harshness of Winter.
6. How does Ferdinand respond to the masque? What wish does he express soon after?
Answer
Ferdinand remarks that the pageant he has just witnessed is the most splendid one and seems to be artistically produced by a magic charm. He wishes to live in the island forever, where his rare, wonder making father-in-law transforms the place into a veritable paradise.
7. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
gait; twain; issue
Gait - manner of walking, movement
Twain - two
Issue – children
7. Iris: You nymphs called naiads of the windring brooks,
With your sedg'd crowns, and ever harmless looks,
Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land
Answer your summons, Juno does command.
1. Where is Iris now? Who else is with her?
Answer
Iris is now on the island, where Prospero has invited the goddesses and spirits to present a pageant in the honour of his daughter and would-be son-in-law. Juno, Ceres, Prospero Miranda, and Ferdinand are here.
2. Who are Naiads? How do they look? What are they asked to do?
Answer
Naiads are water spirits who look very innocent and beautiful, wearing crowns of sedges. They are asked to leave their rippling streams and be present on the green land to help in the celebration of the union of true lovers.
3. Why are they called 'temperate' nymphs and what particular task requires their special attention?
Ans. Naiads are maidens, and hence they are called temperate or chaste. They have to assist Juno and Ceres in the rituals of blessing the couple.
4. Who else does Iris invite soon after?
Answer
Iris invites reapers or sickle men who are tanned by the sun and tired of the August heat to leave their farmland and make merry by dancing with the nymphs.
5. What do they do now?
Answer
The sicklemen, dressed in their best, dance gracefully with the nymphs, providing entertainment to the spectators.
6. Why does Prospero ask the spirits to depart, all of a sudden?
Answer
Prospero suddenly remembers the plot planned by Caliban and his companions: so he becomes restless and angry. He asks the spirits to depart all of a sudden so that they can avert an attempt, against his life.
7. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
brooks; harmless; crisp
Brooks - streams
Harmless - innocent
Crisp - curling with waves
8. Miranda: Never till this day
Saw I him touch'd with anger, so distemper'd.
Prospero : (to Ferdinand) You do look, my son, in a mov'd sort,
As if you were dismay'd. Be cheerful, sir;
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air,
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
1. Why is Prospero "touched with anger so distemper'd"? Explain the phrase.
Answer
The cause of Prospero's anger is the treachery or wicked conspiracy hatched by Caliban against him with the help of Stephano and Trinculo. The phrase means that Miranda has never seen her father in such an angry state.
2. What "revels" is Prospero referring to? Why were they held?
Answer
By 'revels' he refers to the masque in which various goddesses and spirits took part. It was held to bless Miranda and Ferdinand with marital bliss.
3. What does Prospero go on to say about human beings and life in the same speech?
Answer
Prospero says that life is but a dream, a momentary interval of movement in unending sleep and humans as phantoms we behold in our slumber.
4. Who is referred to as son and why?
Answer
Ferdinand is referred to a son, as Prospero has grown very fond of Ferdinand who is going to be his son-in-law.
5. What does Prospero tell Ferdinand about the pageant?
Answer
Prospero tells Ferdinand that the pageant has now ended as suddenly as it appeared. The actors were spirits and have now melted into thin air. Just like his vision, the tall towers, splendid palaces, solemn temples and the world itself and its inmates will vanish into thin air without leaving a trace. We are as unreal as dreams are, and when we die, there will be an eternal sleep.
6. Why is the show called, 'insubstantial?
Answer
The show has been the result of sheer magic and melted into thin air as though nothing happened. The spirits all leave without leaving any trace. So, it is called the insubstantial.
7. What does the masque symbolize?
Answer
The masque symbolizes the transient nature of human life. It is like an illusion, and we are all inconsequential stuff as dreams are made of. Our life is rounded with a sleep.
8. What does Prospero tell about his immediate plan?
Answer
Prospero says that he is going to walk a little to calm down his agitated brain.
9. What does Prospero actually do?
Answer
Prospero actually calls Ariel and tells him that they have to prepare to abort Caliban's wicked plan. He also asks about the whereabouts of the three rascals.
10. What does Prospero now order Ariel to do?
Answer
Prospero orders Ariel to bring 'trumpery' i.e., rich clothing to deceive Caliban and the plotters against him.
11. "At this hour
Lies at my mercy all mine enemies" says Prospero at the end of this scene. Show how far this is true.
Answer
This is true to every extent as Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian are in a fit of madness, whereas Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban are chased away by the spirits in the form of dogs and hounds.
12. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
brooks; harmless; crisp
Brooks - streams
Harmless - innocent
Crisp - curling with waves
9. Ariel : I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking,
So full of valour that they smote the air
For breathing in their faces, beat the ground
For kissing of their feet; yet always bending
Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor,
At which like unback'd colts they prick'd their ears,
Advanc'd their eyelids, lifted up their noses
As they smelt music. So I charm'd their ears
That calf-like they my lowing follow'd through
Tooth'd briars, sharp furzes, pricking gorse, and thorns,
Which enter'd their frail shins.
1. Who were red hot with drinking? What is meant by 'red hot'?
Answer
Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo were red hot with drinking which means that their faces had become red as they were completely intoxicated.
2. In what weird way were they behaving?
Answer
The three drunkards became so brave as to beat the wind that blew across their face with their swords. They beat the ground for daring to touch their feet.
3. How did they react to the beat of the tabor? Where did they land up at the end?
Answer
When Ariel beat the tabor, like untrained horses they pricked their ears, lifted their eyes and lifted their noses as they sensed music. Ariel cast a spell on their ears, like calves following the call of their mothers; they followed the enchanting music through thorns and briars, even if they were pricking their legs. At last, they entered the dirty pool beside Prospero's cell.
4. What did they do where they landed?
Answer
The villainous trio went on dancing in the stinking pool.
5. How does Prospero respond to his narration?
Answer
Prospero complimented Ariel for punishing the three plotters but tells him to remain invisible for some more time. He asks him to get gaudy, glittering costumes from his cell to set them as traps for the trio, Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban.
6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
valour; smote; tabor
Answer
Valour - courage, bravery
Smote - strike, hit
Tabor - a small drum
10. Prospero: A devil, a born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains,
Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost;
And as with age his body uglier grows,
So his mind cankers. I will plague them all,
Even to roaring.
Enter Ariel, loaden with glistering apparel, etc.
Come, hang them on this line.
1. Who is referred to as a devil? Why is he said to be a born devil?
Answer
Caliban is referred to as a born devil as he is the son of a witch and a demi-devil. His thoughts and actions are also inherently devilish.
2. Explain, 'on whose nature, Nurture can never stick'. What is more said about the devil, in the extract?
Answer
Prospero says that Caliban is a born devil and no amount of training is going to change his basic nature. All his considerations and efforts have been utterly wasted as far as Caliban is concerned. He further says that as Caliban is getting older, his body, as well as the mind, is growing more and more grotesque.
3. What has to be hung on the line? For what purpose?
Answer
The gaudy garments have to be hung on the line. They are meant to trap the three fools-Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban.
4. Who comes soon after his? In what state are they?
Answer
Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo enter after this. They are completely drenched in dirty water. They are still under the effect of drinks and are in an abusive mood.
5. What does the devil say now?
Answer
The devil or Caliban asks others to move silently, so that Prospero, who is like a blind mole now, in the dark interior of the cave, will not wake up and hear their footsteps.
6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
nurture; canker; glister
Answer
Nurture - breeding, upbringing, education
Canker - become corrupt
Glister - sparkle, shine
11. Caliban :
The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean
To dote thus on such luggage? Let's alone,
And do the murder first. If he awake,
From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches,
Make us strange stuff.
1. Who is called as the fool? Why? What is the meaning of the first line?
Answer
Caliban calls Trinculo a fool. The first line says that may this fool be attacked by a disease called dropsy. Caliban cannot understand the interest shown in worthless clothes; he wants to go ahead with the murder, so he calls them fools.
2. What is the luggage mentioned? Who is the 'he' mentioned in the extract? What will happen if 'he' awakes?
Answer
The luggage is the shiny, gaudy clothes which are hung by Ariel as per the instructions of Prospero. 'He' is Prospero and if he escapes, he will fill them with pinches from head to toe, making them look strange.
3. What other tortures will they be subjected to, if he' awakes?
Answer
The other tortures will be that they will be turned into some strange fish or apes with disgustingly low foreheads.
4. What happens at the end of the scene?
Answer
At the end of the scene, the three are chased by hunting dogs, and they run away.
5. What are the instructions given to Ariel regarding the punishment of the trio?
Answer
Prospero tells Ariel and other spirits to grind the joints of the offenders; let them go through fits or convulsions and cramps and make them more spotted than the leopard or the mountain cat.
6. What is promised to Ariel at the end?
Answer
Ariel is promised his freedom.
7. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:
dropsy; dote; crown
Dropsy - a type of disease in which the body retains watery fluids
Dote - admire greatly, extremely fond of
Crown - head