Writing prompts for The Tempest Essay. You must have two peer edits.

Draft is due to Ms. Keene on Tuesday November 4.

Choose one of the prompts below and write an
argument/persuasive/comparative essay. You must use The Tempest as
your source and cite passages in support of your argument. Cite the
page and line number. Example: (95, 302).


1. Compare and contrast the powers of Prospero, Caliban and Ariel.
What types of power do they possess and how do these powers
help to characterize them? Support your essay with citations from
the play.

2. Discuss the power struggles between siblings in the play. What
motivations are found for this thirst for power? Support your
essay with citations from the play.


3. Prospero has played many roles during the play: father, sorcerer,
friend, creator, and brother. Speculate on how he will conduct
himself once in Naples. Support your essay with citations from the
play.

4. Discuss the relationship between Prospero and his two servants,
Ariel and Caliban. Support your essay with lines from the play.


5. Discuss how Prosperos plan of plotting revenge changes to
granting mercy at the end of the play. Support your essay with
citations from the play.

6. We learn that Prospero and Miranda attempted to civilize Caliban.
To what extent did they succeed and/or fail? Support your essay
with citations from the play.


7. Focusing on one or two characters, discuss the role of noise in The
Tempest. Support your essay with citations from the play.

8. Compare the plot to murder Prospero with the plot to murder
Alonso. Support your essay with citations from the play.


9. Discuss the utopian and dystopian aspects of The Tempest.
Support your essay with citations from the play.

10. What is the nature of Prospero and Mirandas relationship?
Discuss moments where Miranda seems to be entirely dependent
on her father and moments where she seems independent. How
does Mirandas character change over the course of the play?
Support your essay with citations from the play.


11. Discuss Ferdinands character. What is the nature of his love
for Miranda? Is he a likable character? What is the nature of his
relationship to other characters? Support your essay with
citations from the play.

12. Discuss the role of magic in The Tempest. How does it play a
role in Prosperos downfall? How does he use magic on the island?
What role does magic play at the close of the book? Support your
essay with citations from the play.


13. Discuss love in The Tempest. Who is in love and who loves
whom? Explain the nature of the various types of love. Support
your essay with citations from the play.