What does Prospero tell Miranda about the tempest she watched at the opening?

Why were Prospero and Miranda put to sea twelve years before the play begins?

Four moments from the play: the storm, the plot against Alonso, the harpy banquet, the betrothal masque. Which comes second?

Why does Prospero accuse Ferdinand and make him carry logs after Miranda falls in love with him?

In Act 2, why does Ariel wake Gonzalo while the lords are sleeping?

After Caliban drinks Stephano's liquor, what plan does he urge Stephano to carry out?

What suddenly makes Prospero stop the betrothal masque in Act 4?

Why do Stephano and Trinculo fail to move straight to killing Prospero near his cell?

What helps turn Prospero from revenge toward mercy in Act 5?

How does Miranda's first response to the shipwreck differ from Prospero's position?

Ariel serves Prospero for promised freedom; Caliban serves him unwillingly and claims the island. What contrast does this pair create?

Antonio urges Sebastian to kill Alonso. What motive links that plot to Antonio's earlier treatment of Prospero?

Gonzalo helped Prospero survive exile and later imagines an innocent commonwealth. What role does he play among the nobles?

Beyond romance, what larger plot work does the love between Miranda and Ferdinand do?

How does the Stephano-Trinculo-Caliban subplot echo the main plot?

In Act 5, Prospero reveals himself and forgives the men who wronged him. How do Alonso's and Antonio's responses differ?

Why does Sycorax matter to the play even though she never appears onstage?

"O brave new world, / That has such people in't!" Who says this, and what does it show?

"Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, / Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not." What does this reveal?

"You taught me language; and my profit on't / Is, I know how to curse." Who speaks, and what is the point?

Ariel sings, "Full fathom five thy father lies." What is Ariel trying to make Ferdinand believe?

"We are such stuff / As dreams are made on." In its context, what has just vanished?

When Prospero says, "The rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance," what choice is he making?

"This thing of darkness I / Acknowledge mine." Whom does Prospero mean, and why does it matter?

The action stays on one island within a few hours, and Prospero repeatedly checks the time with Ariel. What dramatic effect does this have?

Prospero arranges the storm, separations, music, banquet, and masque. Which dramatic role does he often seem to take inside the play?

What is the effect of opening with the storm before Prospero explains the backstory?

The Act 4 show with Iris, Ceres, and Juno is best described as what form?

When Ariel is invisible and interrupts Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban, what does the audience know that the characters do not?

Prospero's epilogue asks the audience to "release me from my bands / With the help of your good hands." What theatrical move is this?

Prospero's books and staff give him power, and he promises to drown the book and break the staff. What pattern does this create?

Sleep charms allow Antonio and Sebastian's murder plot to appear, and later enchantment holds the guilty nobles. What motif is being used?

Prospero resumes his ducal appearance, while Stephano and Trinculo chase "glistering apparel." What theme does the clothing motif support?

Caliban says, "This island's mine," and also attacks the language Prospero taught him. Which classroom theme do these moments most directly support?

Across the play, several characters seek revenge or power, but Prospero finally chooses pardon. Which theme is most central here?

The play begins with a violent sea-storm and ends with a repaired ship ready for the voyage home. What does that pattern emphasize?

After forgiving the court party, where does Prospero plan to go?

Why is the Act 5 discovery of Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess important?

What happens to Ariel at the close of Prospero's plan?

What is Caliban's final response after the failed plot with Stephano and Trinculo?