5.1.3

Scene 2

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Summary of Act 3, Scene 2

Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban plan Prospero's downfall. Ariel listens in on their plans.

The men plan Prospero's downfall

The men plan Prospero's downfall

  • The scene begins with drunken Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano planning Prospero’s downfall.
  • Caliban identifies knowledge as causing his enslavement. So the books should be the first to burn.
Caliban dreams of being free

Caliban dreams of being free

  • Caliban dreams of a world in which he no longer has to be 'subject to a tyrant'. But to escape this, he must promise his allegiance to another. So he turns to the lowest of the civilised world in Stephano.
  • Just like Antonio and Sebastian earlier in the play, Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano plot to murder their ruler. This highlights the potential for evil and violence in mankind.
Caliban connects with the island

Caliban connects with the island

  • Ariel listens to all of this plotting, ready to report back to Prospero.
  • Mysterious music is then heard as the three men sing. This unnerves Stephano and Trinculo at first. But Caliban understands it and has a connection with nature on the island: 'The isle is full of noises,/ Sounds, and sweet airs.'
  • Caliban takes great comfort from the island’s 'noises' which colonisation has disturbed.
Jump to other topics
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 Scene 2

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  1. 1
    What is the first thing Caliban thinks they should do in Act 3, Scene 2? Multiple choice
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