Role-play on the actions of major characters in "The Tempest" - SS2 Literature Lesson Note
Role-play on the actions of major characters in The Tempest:
Prospero: Prospero is a powerful sorcerer who has been exiled to a remote island with his daughter Miranda. He is a complex and conflicted character, who is both wise and vengeful. In the play, he uses his magic to manipulate the other characters and to bring about his own revenge.
Example role-play:
Prospero: (To himself) My enemies are all here, just as I planned. Now it is time for them to pay for their crimes. (To Ariel) Ariel, bring Antonio and Sebastian before me.
Ariel: Yes, master.
(Ariel disappears and brings Antonio and Sebastian before Prospero.)
Prospero: Antonio, Sebastian, you have betrayed me and my family. You have tried to usurp my throne and leave my daughter to die. But now, the tables have turned. You are in my power, and I will exact my revenge.
Antonio: Prospero, please forgive us. We were wrong, and we truly regret our actions.
Prospero: Forgiveness is not so easily earned. I have suffered greatly at your hands. But I am a merciful man, and I will give you one more chance to prove yourselves.
Sebastian: What do you want us to do?
Prospero: I want you to serve me faithfully. I want you to help me to restore order to Milan and to bring peace to my kingdom. If you do this, then I will forgive you.
Antonio: We agree, Prospero. We will serve you loyally.
Prospero: Very well. Then your punishment will be to help me to stage a masque for my daughter Miranda and her betrothed Ferdinand.
Sebastian: A masque?
Prospero: Yes, a masque. It will be a celebration of their love, and it will also serve as a warning to my enemies.
Antonio: We understand. We will do as you ask.
Prospero: Good. Now go and prepare for the masque.
(Antonio and Sebastian exit.)
Prospero: (To himself) Now, my enemies, you are in my trap. I will use your own greed and ambition to destroy you.
Role-play on the actions of minor characters in The Tempest:
Ariel: Ariel is a spirit of the air who serves Prospero. He is a powerful and versatile character, who can be both helpful and mischievous. In the play, Ariel helps Prospero to carry out his plans and to punish his enemies.
Example role-play:
Ariel: (To himself) I am finally free! Prospero has released me from my servitude, and I am now my own master. But I will never forget the kindness that he showed me. I owe him a debt of gratitude.
(Prospero enters.)
Prospero: Ariel, my friend, I am glad to see you. I have a task for you.
Ariel: I am yours to command, master.
Prospero: I need you to go to the ship of my enemies and lead them astray. I want you to bring them to the island, so that I can deal with them as I see fit.
Ariel: I will do as you ask, master.
(Ariel disappears.)
Prospero: (To himself) Ariel is a loyal servant, and I am grateful for his help. But he is also a powerful spirit, and I must be careful not to underestimate him.
Role-play on the actions of major characters in The Tempest
Scene: Prospero's cell on the island
Characters: Prospero, Ariel
Prospero: Ariel, my faithful servant, I have a task for you.
Ariel: I am yours to command, master.
Prospero: I want you to go to the ship of my enemies and lead them astray. I want you to bring them to the island, so that I can deal with them as I see fit.
Ariel: I will do as you ask, master.
Prospero: Good. But be careful, Ariel. My enemies are dangerous men.
Ariel: I will be careful, master.
Prospero: And remember, Ariel, I have promised you your freedom. Once you have completed this task, you will be free to go.
Ariel: Thank you, master. I will not disappoint you.
(Ariel disappears.)
Prospero: (To himself) Now, my enemies, you are in my trap. I will use your own greed and ambition to destroy you.
Discussion:
This role-play shows how Prospero uses Ariel to carry out his plans. Prospero is a powerful sorcerer, but he also knows that he needs Ariel's help to achieve his goals. Ariel is a loyal servant, but he is also capable of great independence. He is able to think for himself and to make his own decisions.
This role-play also shows the complex relationship between Prospero and Ariel. Prospero is both grateful to Ariel for his service and resentful of his power. Ariel is both loyal to Prospero and resentful of his servitude.
In the end, Prospero frees Ariel from his servitude. This shows that Prospero has learned to trust Ariel and to respect his freedom.
Relationship between minor and major characters in The Tempest:
The minor characters in The Tempest play an important role in supporting the major characters and in driving the plot forward. For example, Ariel helps Prospero to carry out his plans and to punish his enemies. Caliban provides Prospero with labor and helps him to maintain his power over the island. And Trinculo and Stephano provide comic relief and help to complicate Prospero's plans.
The relationships between the minor and major characters in The Tempest are complex and often ambivalent. For example, Ariel is Prospero's slave, but he is also his friend. Caliban is Prospero's servant, but he also resents him deeply. And Trinculo and Stephano are both fools, but they also have their moments of intelligence and insight.
The relationships between the minor and major characters in The Tempest help to create a rich and complex tapestry of human relationships. They also help to explore themes such as power, servitude, and freedom.