Year 9

The theme of magic: Prospero's Epilogue

Year 9

The theme of magic: Prospero's Epilogue

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will explore how Prospero's final epilogue connects to the audience and what Shakespeare is saying about the nature of storytelling and theatre.

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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
To reconcile is to...
create conflict
punish
Correct answer: restore friendliness
Q2.
Juxtaposition involves...
the attribution of human attributes to non-living things
Correct answer: the placement of two ideas to create contrast
the use of 'like' or 'as' to figuratively compare two things
Q3.
An example of juxtaposition in The Tempest is...
ending with a wedding and starting with a storm
having evil plots described in detail
Correct answer: the placement of evil plots and comic relief side by side
Q4.
A Shakespearean tragedy would be different from a comedy because...
Correct answer: it would contain the death and downfall of a character
it would involve war
it would start with a wedding
Q5.
Prospero used to be a member of which social group back in Italy?
Correct answer: the aristocracy
the middle class
the peasantry

5 Questions

Q1.
What has Prospero given up at the end of the play?
Caliban
his daughter
Correct answer: his magic
Q2.
Who does Prospero direct his epilogue at?
King Alonso
Miranda
Correct answer: the audience
Q3.
What does Shakespeare aim to do with his comedy plays, according to this final passage in the play?
communicate key themes
Correct answer: entertain and please
scare the audience
Q4.
How has Prospero behaved towards those that have wronged him?
angrily as he is now leaving them on the island
fearfully as he has given up his magic
Correct answer: with forgiveness and reconciliation as they are now travelling home together
Q5.
How is the play resolved as a comedy?
Caliban is killed
Correct answer: Miranda and Ferdinand are to be married
Prospero gets his revenge