Alison Stefansic

9 H Literature/2nd period

Ms. Tatum

4/17/18

Scholarly Journal Entry #1

Motif: Water and Drowning

Act I, Scene I, 1-70

 Boatswain asks the crew if they would mind drowning. The crew heavily disagrees saying, “We

are less afraid to be drowned than thou art” (I, ii, 46). Through this quote, the captain of the ship

is depicted as weak due to his response to the storm. The crew is less afraid of drowning than

the Boatswain who has decided to accept death and retire in a room underneath the boat.

 Gonzalo guarantees the safety of the crewmembers saying, “I’ll warrant him for drowning,

through the ship were no stronger than a nutshell” (I, ii, 49-50). Gonzalo, who is a wise, old man

knows the ship is not suitable for sailing in such harsh waters. Despite this, he perseveres and

continues to fight to save the ship and its crewmembers.

 When the crewmembers are left to save the ship and themselves from drowning, they curse

Boatswain saying, “He’ll be hanged yet, though every drop of water swear against it and gape at

wid’st to glut him” (I, ii, 60). Water is represented through the curse the crew sets upon the

captain.
Comments:

Shakespeare begins The Tempest on a boat that is about to face a treacherous storm. The motif

of water and drowning provides various meanings to the setting. This is done so by the choice of diction

of the characters. The crew verbalizes their thoughts by telling Boatswain they are not scared of the

storm. Gonzalo later backs the crew up by guaranteeing the crew safety despite the harsh storms. Lastly,

one of the crew members swears against every drop of water for the punishment of the master.

Scholar’s Journal Entry 2

Motif: Water and Drowning

Act II, Scene I, 267-270

 Antonio tries to assure Sebastian that Alonso is asleep by saying, “Tis as impossible that he’s

undrowned as he that sleeps here swims” (II, ii, 267). This means that it is impossible that he is

not drowned because Alonso is asleep in front of them. Antonio and Sebastian begin to plan the

murder of the King of Naples, Alonso.

 Antonio further tries to persuade Sebastian to kill the king by assuring his son is dead by saying,

“Will you grant with me that Ferdinand is drowned?” (II, ii, 278-279). Sebastian replies by

confirming his death.

 Once Sebastian and Antonio decide to kill Alonso, they decide to wait to make sure he is asleep.

Sebastian who is waiting to hear snores says, “Well I am standing water” (II, i, 247). This shows

the patience he has in order to not get caught killing the King of Naples.
Comments:

In Act II of The Tempest, water and drowning represents life and death. Characters refer to one

another as “drowned” or “undrowned”. This shows the desperate actions the characters faced on the

island. Antonio refers to Prospero as “undrowned” instead of saying asleep. While later in the Act, he

describes Ferdinand as “drowned” instead of dead. Water on the other hand, represents tranquility and

patience. This embodies the patience the men must have to make sure Alonso is asleep, so they can kill

him.

Scholar’s Journal 3

Motif: Water and Drowning

Act III, Scenes II-III, 13-78

 Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban all drink to their plan of controlling the island. Stephano

declares the Caliban drunk saying, “My man-monster hath drowned his tongue in his sac” (III, ii,

13-14). This provides comedic relief to the audience as Caliban becomes drunk due to the

excessive alcohol he has consumed.

 Gonzalo swears he cannot go any further and asks to rest. Alonso explains his thoughts stating,

“Even here I put off my hop and keep it/no longer for my flatterer. He is drowned” (III,78). He

says they are looking on land, but Ferdinand is lost at sea. Alonso loses hope and truly believes

his only son is dead.

 Enraged Ariel speaks to Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian they are men of sin and to feel sorry for

their actions. If not, then they will have a sow painful death. Ariel explains their punishment
 saying, “The powers-delaying, not forgetting-have/Incensed the seas and shores, /Yea, all the

creatures, against your peace” (III. Iii. 78-80).

Comments:

In Act III of The Tempest Ferdinand and Miranda marry despite Prospero’s wish. Caliban,

Stephano, and Trinculo devise a plan to become king of the island. The motif of water and drowning

causes a variety of emotions to come about due to the events that occur on the island. The constant

search for Ferdinand leaves Alonso hopeless. Ferdinand, however, accepts the worst assuming his father

is dead, and he is king. This is represented by the repetition of drowning among the characters in this

act.

Scholar’s Journal 4

Motif: Water and Drowning

Act IV, Scene 1, 175-258

 Ariel interrupts Prospero to remind him about Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban who are on their

way to kill him. Ariel describes the condition of the men after they left as, “There dancing up to

th' chins, that the foul lake/O'erstunk their feet” (IV, i, 175). Ariel left the men in a stinking water

that is up to their chins. The foul water in the lake shows the wrath Prospero feels against his

enemies.

 Stephano and Trinculo complain to Caliban about their lost wine bottles. Trinculo, who is wet

and smelly, says, “That’s more to me than my wetting. / Yet this is your harmless fairy, monster”

(IV, i, 236-237). Inside the filthy-mantled pool, the threesome protest about their lost honor

after they had been covered in water and grime.

  After finding beautiful apparel, Trinculo puts on one of the gowns. Caliban, who is fed up with

the Trinculo, says, “The dropsy drown this fool!” (IV, i, 258). This quote references the

connection between drowning and death in the play. The literal meaning of this quote is not to

kill Trinculo but to verbally assault him.

Comments:

In Act IV of The Tempest, the use of water by Shakespeare describes the environment the

characters are in. This is represented by the filthy-mantled pool which Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo

are in. Drowning is represented by Caliban and his grudge against Trinculo. Caliban says to drown

Trinculo because of his foolish actions. Due to this, water and drowning negatively shows the

environment and attitude the characters endure.

Scholar’s Journal 5

Motif: Water and Drowning

Act V, Scene I, 65-365

 Prospero reconsiders his actions and decides to give up magic. He explains his change of heart

saying, “I’ll drown my book” (V, i, 65). By giving up his book and breaking his staff, Prospero

realizes the wrong he has done in his life. This prompts him to release the charm he set over the

crew and release Ariel from his possession.

 Prospero explains his actions to Alonso for making the storm by saying, “Upon this shore, where

you were wracked, was/landed/ to be the lord on’t. No more yet of this” (V, i, 188-190). Alonso

then realizes that the storm was because of Prospero’s magic. Water represents Prospero’s

wrath for the men that trapped him on the island with his daughter.
  As Boatswain and the Master arrive, Gonzalo remembers his curse to Boatswain saying, “This

fellow could not drown, Now, blasphemy,” (V, i, 263). He predicted correctly because Boatswain

did not drown because of Prospero’s spell.

Comments:

In the final Act of The Tempest, water and drowning becomes a symbol of peace among the

characters. Prospero decides to give up magic and releases his spells and charms on the island. Alonso

realizes Prospero is real because of the storm he created. Gonzalo’s curse was correct because

Boatswain did not drown. Water and drowning represents the broken spell which freed Ariel, Caliban,

and the crewmembers.