# data[].attributes.headline
Notes and activities for student teachers

# data[].attributes.subject
Notes and activities for student teachers

# data[].attributes.body
A comprehensive video summary of The Tempest, perfect for students who are encountering Shakespeare for the first time or those who need a refresher. Suitable for Key Stage 3 and 4.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest by William Shakespeare | Summary & Analysis

# data[].attributes.body
Deepen your understanding with this detailed analysis of The Tempest, examining key themes, characters, and the play's historical context. Ideal for Key Stage 3 and 4 teachers looking to enhance classroom discussions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Prospero's desire to return home to Italy and reclaim his position as the rightful Duke of Milan drives the plot of The Tempest. However, we don't know about Prospero's history until the second scene of the play. Instead, the play begins by hurtling the audience straight into the action. The first scene opens on a ship in the midst of a storm. By opening with the chaos of the tempest, Shakespeare has drawn on the literary technique of "in medias res," which involves starting a narrative "in the midst of things" and hence without preamble. In doing so, Shakespeare places the audience in the same position as the shipwrecked crew, confused and disoriented on a strange island. The audience doesn't meet Prospero until the second scene, when we learn that he conjured the storm. Knowing that his enemies were aboard a passing ship, Prospero used his training in sorcery to fashion a tempest and cause the ship to wreck on the island. The storm therefore constitutes the inciting incident of the play, setting events into action.

In the second scene we also learn about the circumstances that landed Prospero on the island and made him cause the storm. Prospero was the Duke of Milan until his brother, Antonio, conspired with Alonso, the King of Naples, to assassinate Prospero and seize control of Milan. Prospero managed to escape alive with help from his loyal councilor Gonzalo. These events occurred twelve years prior to the events of the play itself. This means that by the time the play begins, Prospero has already spent a long time seething with rage on the island, where he lives alone with his daughter Miranda and his slave Caliban. Prospero recounts this backstory to Miranda in Act I, Scene 2. In order to realize his desire to return to Italy and reclaim his position, Prospero needs to resolve the conflict with his brother Antonio. These themes of separation and reunion will define the action of the play, as characters are torn apart from each other before being happily reunited at the end.

The wreck that Prospero has orchestrated separates the ship's crew into three groups: Ferdinand gets stranded by himself and soon encounters Prospero and Miranda; Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo wind up on another part of the island; and Trinculo and Stephano wash up together on yet another shore. By separating these groups, Prospero forces them live through an experience not unlike his own. Just as Prospero has been cut off from his home and loved ones, the shipwrecked crew wanders around cut off from one another, believing that their missing companions have perished in the squall. The separation causes a great deal of sorrow and confusion, and Prospero uses his command of the island's spirits-and Ariel in particular-to confuse and disorient his enemies further. However, as the play continues, Prospero's designs grow clearer. After making his enemies suffer, he eventually employs Ariel to guide each group toward his camp, where reunion and reconciliation can at last take place.

Prospero's manipulations enable the play's climax, in which he confronts his enemies. When Alonso and his company arrive at his camp, Prospero confronts Alonso and Antonio over their past betrayal when they tried to assassinate him. Prospero also continues with his emotional manipulation, claiming that he has lost his daughter in the tempest. Alonso, who is mourning his son Ferdinand, who he still believes died in the tempest, feels deeply for Prospero's loss, and in the process forges an emotional bond with the man he wronged so many years ago. After Alonso restores Prospero's dukedom, Prospero performs his greatest trick of all, pulling back the curtain to reveal Ferdinand, alive. Alonso is overcome with happiness, and the play that began in the midst of chaos ends with an atmosphere of serenity and joy. By forcing his enemies through an experience of separation and reunion, Prospero has resolved the play's central conflict and ensured his own return home, thereby bringing everything in the play full circle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Prospero's desire to return home to Italy and reclaim his position as the rightful Duke of Milan drives the plot of The Tempest. However, we don't know about Prospero's history until the second scene of the play. Instead, the play begins by hurtling the audience straight into the action.

# data[].attributes.headline
Character Relationships Map but where's Gonzalo?

# data[].attributes.subject
Character Relationships Map but where's Gonzalo?

# data[].attributes.body
A visually engaging character map to help students understand the relationships between the characters in The Tempest. A great tool for both Key Stage 3 and 4.

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of lesson plans specifically designed for Key Stage 3 students studying The Tempest. These plans are easy to follow and cover a wide range of topics related to the play.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Magic, mystery, shipwreck, comedy and confusion! This popular Shakespeare play is a great introduction to Shakespeare for younger key stage three English students. You'll find a range of classroom resources on Shakespeare's The Tempest to support your lesson planning alongside fun ideas for group activities, games and quizzes like Tempest Taboo or Bingo.

Whether you are focusing on lesser character studies (Duke of Milan, Antonio, Ferdinand, Stephano, Trinculo) and comparing the language in key speeches, or looking at the relationships between the central characters of Caliban, Prospero, Miranda, Sebastian and Ariel, download our engaging lesson resources to support learners with their understanding of William Shakespeare's powerful play. All our resources are written and generously shared by experienced teachers, so they are tried and tested in the classroom. You'll find debate and letter writing tasks alongside creative and drama activities such as direct your own scene or design your own island to bring students' understanding of plot, structure and language to life.

For a comprehensive resource pack, including teaching resources, worksheets, PowerPoints, sequencing tasks and lesson plans, try our The Tempest teaching pack, designed specifically for key stage 3 students with a mix of analytical, creative and drama activities.

You can also find a range of resources on Shakespeare's life and context.

If you are teaching younger KS3 students, you might also like our A Midsummer Night's Dream teaching pack, or check out our GCSE Shakespeare library.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Engaging KS3 teaching resources, lesson plans and drama activities to bring Shakespeare's play, The Tempest, to life. Free PDFs.

# data[].attributes.body
Discover a suite of educational resources tailored for Key Stage 4 students. These materials focus on a deeper examination of The Tempest, aimed at enhancing critical thinking and analysis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Tempest opens with a storm, after which survivors of the shipwreck are marooned on an island inhabited by the powerful Magician Prospero, his daughter Miranda and his servants Ariel and Caliban.

For young people of all ages, this play is a fantastic way to explore the concepts of freedom and power as well as looking at a rnage of themes including:

You can discover more about these themes and where they appear in the text as well as others in our Themes Resource.

There are lots of ways you could choose to approach this text but you may find the following particularly useful:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Education | The Tempest | Royal Shakespeare Company

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Tempest opens with a storm, after which survivors of the shipwreck are marooned on an island inhabited by the powerful Magician Prospero, his daughter Miranda and his servants Ariel and Caliban.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scene-by-scene

Here is a more detailed look at what happens in each scene of The Tempest, to help you look at the structure of the play and interrogate it.

As you look at each act, we've included some things to notice. These are important character developments, or key questions that an acting company might ask when they first go through the play together at the start of rehearsal. If you work through these as you go, they will help you to make sense of the play. It's a good idea to have a copy of the text nearby.

Act 1

Act 1 scene 1

On board a ship caught in a violent storm are: Alonso, the King of Naples; Ferdinand, his son; Sebastian, his brother; Gonzalo, his counsellor; Antonio, the Duke of Milan; and two lords called Adrian and Francisco. This group of noblemen are returning to Italy after the wedding of Alonso's daughter in Tunisia. As the storm rages, the Master of the ship, his Boatswain, and other sailors are trying to control the ship, whilst the noblemen get in their way. The Boatswain tells them 'What care these roarers for the name of king? To cabin, silence, trouble us not!' It seems the ship is about to sink and the sailors yell, 'Mercy on us! We split, we split!'

The crew of the ship are struggling hard to control the ship in the storm.

The nobles aren't prepared to listen to the Boatswain and think he is very rude.

Act 1 scene 2

Miranda is upset, having watched the storm engulf the ship just offshore. She describes the ship as 'a brave vessel / Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, / Dashed all to pieces!' She asks her father, the sorcerer Prospero, to calm the storm if he can. Prospero reassures her, saying 'There's no harm done'. He then tells her the story of how they ended up on the island. He explains 'Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and / A prince of power' until his brother Antonio, 'thy false uncle' betrayed him. Antonio, with the help of Alonso, King of Naples, had Prospero and Miranda captured at night and put into an old boat. They were given some provisions by 'A noble Neopolitan, Gonzalo' and cast adrift. Eventually, 'By providence divine', they washed up on the shores of the island.

Prospero then uses his magic to put Miranda to sleep and calls to his spirit servant Ariel. Ariel describes how he created the storm and that the ship is now 'Safely in harbour' and everyone on board is safe. Prospero is pleased but tells Ariel 'there's more work'. Ariel objects and Prospero threatens him but he also promises the spirit his freedom 'after two days' if he obeys.

Ariel leaves. Prospero wakes Miranda and takes her to see Caliban, 'my slave'. She is reluctant, 'Tis a villain, sir, / I do not love to look on', but Prospero insists. Caliban calls curses at them and complains that although he helped them find food and water when they first arrived on the island, 'here you sty me / In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me / The rest o'th'island'. Prospero calls him a 'lying slave' and says they cannot trust him because he tried to force Miranda to sleep with him. He sends Caliban away, saying 'Hag-seed, hence! / Fetch us in fuel, and be quick' and Caliban leaves grumbling 'I must obey. His art is of such power'.

Ariel sings, 'Come unto these yellow sands', magically leading Ferdinand. Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love at first sight, 'At the first sight / They have changed eyes'. Prospero pretends to be angry, telling the audience, 'I must uneasy make lest too light winning / Make the prize light'. He uses his magic to imprison Ferdinand and Ferdinand submits to Prospero's powers hoping, 'Might I but through my prison once a day / Behold this maid'.

THINGS TO NOTICE IN ACT 1

There is a lot of story explanation in this act - characters telling us what has happened in the past so that we understand how they came to be here. Make notes on the facts we discover about each character in Scene 2. Write a line which summarises each character's relationship with each of the others.

The theme of love is always important in Shakespeare's comedies. Ferdinand and Caliban are the only two men Miranda has known, apart from her father. As potential lovers to Miranda, compare how Ferdinand and Caliban are described and consider why Prospero wants his daughter to marry one and not the other.

Act 1 is important because it sets up the characters and how they all come to be on the island. We find out how Prospero, Miranda and Caliban have lived on the island for many years and how Prospero has just used magic to bring his enemies, Antonio and Alonso, to the island. What themes do you think are starting to emerge in this first act? Can you find a line or two which best expresses each of the themes you have found?

Act 2

Act 2 Scene 1

Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco find themselves washed up on the island together after the shipwreck. Alonso is worried about what has happened to his son Ferdinand, 'O thou mine heir / Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish / Hath made his meal on thee?' The others try to cheer him up. Ariel enters, invisible to the nobleman, and sends them all to sleep except for Antonio and Sebastian. Antonio tells Sebastian, 'My strong imagination sees a crown / Dropping upon thy head' and he persuades Sebastian to betray his brother Alonso, just as Antonio betrayed his brother Prospero. When Sebastian and Antonio raise their swords to kill Alonso and Antonio in their sleep, Ariel sings, 'While you here do snoring lie, / Open-eyed conspiracy / His time doth take' and wakes them up. Sebastian and Antonio pretend their swords are drawn to defend the others. Alonso says, 'lead off this ground, and let's make further search / For my poor son'.

Act 2 Scene 2

Caliban enters complaining that 'for every trifle' Prospero sends his spirits to attack him. He sees Trinculo approaching and, fearing Trinculo is a spirit sent 'to torment me / For bringing wood in slowly', he hides under his cloak. Trinculo swam to shore after the shipwreck and is looking for shelter. He complains, 'Here's neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing' so he crawls under the cloak with Caliban, despite thinking Caliban smells like a fish. Trinculo's friend Stephano enters. He was washed up on shore with a barrel of wine and is drunk. Seeing Caliban and Trinculo under the cloak he thinks 'this is some monster of the isle with four legs'. He pours wine into Caliban's mouth and, as Caliban has never tasted wine before, he quickly becomes drunk. Trinculo recognises Stephano's voice and they are joyfully reunited, 'two Neopolitans 'scaped!' Caliban thinks Stephano is 'a brave god, and bears celestial liquor' and offers to serve him as his new master. Trinculo thinks Caliban is 'a most ridiculous monster' but Stephano is flattered and tells Caliban 'O brave monster! Lead the way!'

THINGS TO NOTICE IN ACT 2

In Scene 1, Antonio takes his opportunity to tempt Sebastian into a plot to usurp his brother, just as Antonio usurped his own brother Prospero. What do Antonio's words suggest about him? Which lines help an audience to understand more about Antonio's character? Do these lines support or contradict how Prospero described him?

In Scene 2, Caliban takes his opportunity to find a new master. Why do you think Caliban needs a new master? What does he hope Stephano will do for him?

Act 2 is where we learn about the other people who have ended up on the island after the recent storm. We discover more about the relationships between the nobles and we meet two drunken servants who form an alliance with Caliban. What do you think are the most important moments in this act to help us understand more about the characters?

Act 3

Act 3 scene 1

Ferdinand enters, carrying logs and thinking about Miranda, 'O, she is / Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed, / And he's composed of harshness'. He says he is happy to do the menial tasks Prospero tells him to because of his love for Miranda. Miranda enters, saying 'Work not so hard!' adding, 'My father is hard at study' but Prospero is actually secretly watching them. Miranda and Ferdinand express their love for each other and agree to get married. Prospero tells the audience, 'So glad of this as they I cannot be / Who are surprised withal, but my rejoicing / At nothing can be more'. He leaves to continue with his plans.

Act 3 scene 2

Stephano enters with Caliban and Trinculo. He is still drunk and enjoying the status Caliban, his drunk 'servant-monster', is giving him. Trinculo calls Caliban a liar and 'half a fish and half a monster' but Stephano defends him, saying 'The poor monster's my subject, and shall not suffer indignity'.

Caliban tells Stephano the island is ruled by 'a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island'. Ariel, invisible to them, says 'Thou liest' and it seems as though it is Trinculo talking. As Caliban continues with his story, Ariel continues to pretend to be Trinculo, saying 'thou liest' until Stephano hits him and sends him away. Caliban persuades Stephano to kill Prospero, 'Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake', take Miranda as his wife and rule the island himself. Stephano makes friends with Trinculo again, saying 'Give me thy hand. I am sorry I beat thee'. They sing to celebrate their plan but are interrupted by Ariel's magical music. Caliban reassures them, 'Be not afeared, the isle is full of noises, / Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not' and they follow after the strange music.

Act 3 scene 3

Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco enter, tired from searching for Ferdinand. Gonzalo pleads 'By your patience. / I needs must rest me'. Sebastian and Antonio agree they will try again to kill Alonso, 'Let it be tonight'. There is music and strange creatures lay out a banquet. The creatures vanish but leave the feast behind them. Alonso decides 'I will stand to and feed' but as he encourages the others to join him, there is a sudden loud noise. Ariel appears as a harpy and, addressing Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio, he says 'For that's my business to you - that you three / From Milan did supplant good Prospero' and tells them that as a consequence they were caught in the storm and lost Ferdinand. The harpy then vanishes. Prospero praises Ariel and tells the audience 'My high charms work, / And these mine enemies are all knit up / In their distractions. They now are in my power.' Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio are left in a 'strange stare'.

THINGS TO NOTICE IN ACT 3

In Scene 1, Miranda defies her father to talk with Ferdinand. Which lines do you think best express how she feels about Ferdinand and about her father?

In Scene 2, Caliban defies Prospero and hopes Stephano will prove to be a kinder master to him. Which lines best explain how Caliban feels treated by Prospero?

In Scene 3, Prospero, through Ariel, confronts his enemies with how they treated him. Look at Ariel's speech as the harpy. Which words and phrases best express how Prospero feels about how he was treated?

Act 3 is important because it develops the plot for each of the three groups of characters Prospero and Ariel are watching and manipulating. Look back and note when and how magic is used in each scene to affect the behaviour of the characters. What do you think about Prospero's use of his power in each scene?

Act 4

Act 4 scene 1

Prospero has set Ferdinand free, saying 'If I have too austerely punished you / Your compensation makes amends'. He tells Ferdinand and Miranda that he agrees to the marriage. He creates a magical show with the spirits to bless Miranda and Ferdinand's 'contract of true love'. Spirits appear as Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow and Harmony; Ceres, Goddess of the Harvest; and Juno, Queen of the Gods, along with other spirits. Suddenly, Prospero interrupts the show, telling the audience, 'I had forgot that foul conspiracy / Of the beast Caliban and his confederates'. He tells Ferdinand and Miranda 'Our revels now are ended'. He reassures them, sends them away and calls for Ariel.

Ariel reports that Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo are 'red-hot with drinking' and he led them around the island and left them 'I'the'filthy mantled pool beyond your cell'. Prospero sends Ariel to use the fine clothes in his cell to distract the conspirators. They then watch as Stephano and Trinculo, looking the worse for wear, are distracted from their plot to kill Prospero by the clothes. Caliban tells the others to 'Let it alone' but spirits then appear and chase Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban away. Prospero sends Ariel after them to make sure they are punished.

THINGS TO NOTICE IN ACT 4

Prospero is very clear that Ferdinand and Miranda must not sleep together before they are married. Look for the warnings he gives them directly and through the conversation between Ceres and Iris. Why do you think this is so important to him?

The show the spirits put on is reflective of a fashion in Shakespeare's time for masques - elaborate theatrical presentations. What images are suggested in the conversations between the goddesses and how do you think these images could be used in the design of this scene?

Prospero and Caliban are very angry with each other and their conflict could lead to the death of one or the other, but the clowns Stephano and Trinculo lighten the mood of the scene. Note down the moments of humour in this scene. Which moments in this scene do you think are most important in suggesting to the audience that this story will not end in tragedy?

Act 4 is important because it completes the love story of Miranda and Ferdinand and the conspiracy of Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo. Which do you think are the key moments in this act in which we learn about the hopes and fears of each of those characters?

Act 5

Act 5 scene 1

Prospero announces 'Now does my project gather to a head' - all his plans are coming together. Ariel tells him the nobles are 'all prisoners'. Prospero says 'though with their high wrongs I am struck to th'quick', if they are 'penitent' he will forgive them. He sends Ariel to 'release them' and, in a soliloquy, announces his plans to give up his magic, promising 'I'll break my staff' and 'I'll drown my book'.

Ariel leads in the nobles. As Prospero forgives them, they begin to return to normal. Prospero sends Ariel to 'Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell' so that he can look the same as he did in Milan. He then sends Ariel to fetch the Master and Boatswain.

Prospero embraces Alonso, saying 'Behold, sir king / the wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero'. Alonso responds, 'Thy dukedom I resign and do entreat / Thou pardon me my wrongs' but is amazed to see him alive and asks 'Give us particulars of thy preservation'. When Alonso mourns the loss of 'My dear son Ferdinand', Prospero says he also lost his daughter in the storm. He adds 'My dukedom since you have given me again / I will requite you with as good a thing' and reveals Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess together in his cell. Alonso is delighted and says to them both, 'Give me your hands / Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart / That doth not wish you joy!'

Ariel leads in the Master and Boatswain who explain that strangely the ship 'Is tight and yare and bravely rigged as when / We first put out to sea'. Prospero sends Ariel to 'set Caliban and his companions free'. Alonso is surprised to see Stephano and Trinculo in such a state and asks 'How cam'st thou in this pickle?' He sends them to 'bestow your luggage where you found it'. Caliban is sorry he took 'this drunkard for a god' and promises 'I'll be wise hereafter / And seek for grace'. Prospero invites the noblemen to his 'poor cell' to spend the night and promises to tell 'the story of my life' before they all return to Naples together the next day.

Prospero tells Ariel to ensure they get safely back to Naples and then 'to the elements / Be free'. Prospero then speaks to the audience directly, asking for their applause to set him free.

THINGS TO NOTICE IN ACT 5

Look at Prospero's soliloquy in this scene and how he describes his magical powers. Which images do you find most effective? How do you think Prospero might feel about renouncing his magic?

Alonso is quick to ask forgiveness of Prospero and to welcome his son's engagement to Miranda. Look through this scene and notice how Alonso speaks to Prospero and how Antonio remains silent. How do you think Antonio might behave in this moment? How might Antonio feel about the events of this scene?

Notice how Prospero describes Caliban. Consider how this scene develops your ideas about the relationship between Caliban and Prospero. What do you think might happen next for Caliban?

Act 5 is important because it brings all the characters together and provides a reconciliation of sorts between them all. Consider how each character responds to the reconciliation that Prospero has arranged and what you think will happen when they return to Naples.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest Act-by-Act Plot Synopsis | Shakespeare Learning Zone | Royal Shakespeare Company

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The story of The Tempest in detail, to help you understand the plot and and explore the structure of the play. We look at what we learn in each act, and things to notice as you move through the play.

# data[].attributes.headline
Loads of KS3 resources from Kat Howard @Saysmiss

# data[].attributes.subject
Loads of KS3 resources from Kat Howard @Saysmiss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tempest Play: Info & Resources On Shakespeare's Tempest

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Info and resources all about Shakespeare's The Tempest play. The action of The Tempest play takes place on an island in the Mediterranean. The enchanted island

# data[].attributes.body
*Erased student names on Slides 5 and 8 for the debate

**If anyone wants to use, please save it to your computer and then make the changes (otherwise the changes will appear on my copy, too)

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/UvznOeSyESU?si=_m7MAqGir4i7fPti these are great for trying to get them excited for reading the text. ive used them for Macbeth and AMND.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why should you read Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”? - Iseult Gillespie

# data[].attributes.body
Not The Tempest related but I use these to support pupil presentations/debates