Planning an essay on Prospero's power over Caliban in 'The Tempest'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan an essay that explores how Prospero exerts his power over Caliban.
Key learning points
- Analysing language means looking at specific words in close detail and explaining their effect on the reader.
- An argument is where you present your idea about the text and convince the reader that it is correct.
- An essay plan should include a thesis statement which explains the overarching argument.
- Prospero treats Caliban cruelly through his language and actions.
- Arguably, Shakespeare may have been suggesting that the colonists' treatment of indigenous people was cruel.
Keywords
Slave - A slave is a person who is forced to work for and obey someone else and is considered their property.
Cruelty - Being cruel to someone means deliberately inflicting pain or suffering.
Exploitation - Exploitation is the act of using someone unfairly for your own advantage.
Power - If you are able to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events, then you have power.
Common misconception
That an argument only means a heated, angry exchange.
An argument about a text means presenting your idea and your points to prove that your idea is correct.
Teacher tip
You may wish to spend more time thinking about how to analyse language and tease out connotations of words.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.To create an essay plan means to...
Q2.To treat someone cruelly means...
Q3.If you say someone is a 'liar', what impression do you create of them?
Q4.Match the word with the definition.
someone considered the property of someone else
ability to control others/events
use someone unfairly
Q5.What do we mean when we ask you to think about the 'connotations' of a word?
Q6.Colonialism is the process of taking control of...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Analysing the language of a text means...
Q2.In 'The Tempest', what is the effect of Prospero calling Caliban 'filth'?
Q3.Which of the following plot points show Prospero's cruelty to Caliban in 'The Tempest'?
Q4.The statement that presents your overall argument is known as the...
Q5.A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea is known as...
Q6.If Shakespeare presents Prospero's treatment of Caliban as cruel in 'The Tempest', what might this suggest about colonialism?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Planning an essay on Prospero's power over Caliban in 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Planning an essay on Prospero's power over Caliban in 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'The Tempest' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.