3.1.1

Overview

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Overview of Act 1

Here is an overview of the key ideas and themes of Act 1:

Exposition

Exposition

  • Shakespeare knows that the exposition (giving the audience background information) of the play is incredibly important.
  • He needed to grab the audience’s attention and hook them - particularly the groundlings (the part of the audience who stand in the pit, just in front of the stage) who will become bored very quickly.
Kings and treason

Kings and treason

  • The monarch in The Tempest is good. We really dislike Antonio who not only usurps his brother (illegally takes his position) but also threatens the King’s life.
  • The idea of regicide (killing a king) was a hot topic when The Tempest was first performed. This is because Guy Fawkes and other Catholics tried to assassinate King James I in 1605 whilst opening Parliament.
Colonies and discovery

Colonies and discovery

  • During this period of colonisation, men such as Christopher Columbus were exploring the seas and finding New Worlds - much like Sycorax and Caliban’s island in The Tempest.
  • In Act 1, Scene 2, Caliban describes how he welcomed the newcomers onto his island ('And showed thee all the qualities o’th’isle') but was ultimately exploited. This reflects the colonisers of the era.
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1

Key Words

1.1

Key Words

1.1.1Key Words 11.1.2Key Words 21.1.3Key Words 31.1.4Key Words 4
2

Context & Overview

2.1

Context & Overview

2.1.1Overview2.1.2Context
3

Act 1

3.1

Act 1 Analysis

3.1.1Overview3.1.2Scene 13.1.3Scene 2
4

Act 2

4.1

Act 2 Analysis

4.1.1Overview4.1.2Scene 14.1.3Scene 2
5

Act 3

5.1

Act 3 Analysis

5.1.1Overview5.1.2Scene 15.1.3Scene 25.1.4Scene 3
6

Act 4

6.1

Act 4 Analysis

6.1.1Overview6.1.2Scene 1
7

Act 5

7.1

Act 5 Analysis

7.1.1Overview7.1.2Scene 17.1.3The Epilogue
8

Key Characters

8.1

Major Characters

8.1.1Prospero8.1.2Miranda8.1.3Caliban8.1.4Ariel8.1.5Ferdinand8.1.6Alonso
8.2

Minor Characters

8.2.1Antonio8.2.2Stephano8.2.3Sebastian8.2.4Gonzalo8.2.5Trinculo
9

Themes

9.1

Major Themes

9.1.1Power9.1.2Magic9.1.3Status, Race & Pronouns9.1.4Comedy9.1.5Freedom vs Servitude9.1.6Revenge
10

Authorial Method

10.1

Authorial Method

10.1.1Genre & Time10.1.2Music & Illusion
11

Recap: Main Quotes

11.1

Characters Quotes

11.1.1Prospero - Quotes11.1.2Miranda - Quotes11.1.3Caliban - Quotes11.1.4Ariel - Quotes11.1.5Ferdinand - Quotes11.1.6Alonso - Quotes11.1.7Antonio - Quotes11.1.8Stephano - Quotes11.1.9Sebastian - Quotes11.1.10Gonzalo - Quotes11.1.11Trinculo - Quotes
11.2

Text Structure - Quotes

11.2.1Power - Quotes11.2.2Magic - Quotes11.2.3Race & Pronouns - Quotes11.2.4Comedy - Quotes11.2.5Servitude - Quotes11.2.6Reconciliation & Revenge - Quotes

Practice questions on Overview

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  1. 1
    Who does the island belong to? Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What are the key ideas of Act 1? Fill in the list
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Context

Scene 1