'Set Me Free!' - The Tempest Act 5 Blog
What is the significance of the Epilogue in Shakespeare's The Tempest?
Why didn't Prospero reveal Antonio and Sebastian's plot against King Alonso in Act 5, Scene 1, in Shakespeare's The Tempest?
Why is it significant that so many characters express the desire to rule the island throughout the play?
What hope is there (if any) for Caliban in his final statements (lines 262-3;lines 294-7)?
Is Prospero's response to Caliban ('Go to; away!') a gruff acceptance of this, or is it just purely dismissive? Give reason(s) for your answer.
Antonio is a clear discord in the general harmony with which this play ends. What does this indicate about being redeemed and Prospero's power both as a magician and a duke?
Good Morning MIss. Answering question 1. The purpose of the Epilogue in The Tempest is to basically tie up the loose ends and clarifiy the issues that remain unsolved. However, it does not provide the answers we might expect. -KHAYLA HALL
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Khayla and you're correct! Can you give an example of an answer you did not expect?
DeleteMs. Willie
Good morning miss. Number 1 . The Epilogue is used to resolve/ clear up unresolved issues and disputes however, it doesn’t output an answer that the audience expects. - Colleen Stuart
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Colleen. Very good, can you state an example of an outcome that you did NOT expect?
Delete#2 Prospero did not reveal Antonio's and Sebastian's plot to kill King Alonso because he was willing to forgive everyone despite what they did or were planning to do. The mood at the end of the play was peaceful, reflective and celebratory and he didn't want to spoil that by revealing the plot against King Alonso.
ReplyDeleteIt would be pretty useless to expose Antonio and Sebastian as they were no longer able to carry out their plans. Prospero, who is seen as manipulative throughout the play, might have also kept the plot a secret to have some control over Antonio and Sebastian. - Indi Walker
Very insightful, Indi! I can imagine him saying what's the use in bringing up the past when he wants to move forward.
DeleteGood morning miss. I am answering question 2, why didn't Prospero reveal Antonio and Sebastian's plot to kill Alonso. I think it is because he wanted to use that information to blackmail them. I say this beacause he tells both of them directly that he could have revealed what he knew to the king, but that he will not. Immediately after, however, Prospero tells Antonio that he must return his Dukeship to him. Antonio would have no doubt fought for the dukedom If Prospero had not held such sensitive information over his head.
ReplyDeleteJada Glenn
Good morning, Jada and point taken. I think he is considering it as an extra insurance policy in case Antonio reverts to his scheming ways. Yet, we cannot deny the progress shown by Prospero as he sought to make amends with everyone.
DeleteGood day miss, I will be answering question 1. The epilogue in the play, the tempest is significant because the play wrote wants to tie up loose ends. We can see where prosper shows or indicates that forgiveness is one that that all men desire to achieve. Then goes in to ask the audience to aplaude to indicate their forgiveness to him. This is significant simply because it shows that próspero has seen all the wrong that he was committed through out the play, it signifies growth of the character and how the character has developed throughout the play.
ReplyDeleteMinali Bassaragh
Good morning to you, Minali and you are absolutely correct. It is rather commendable that in his quest for those who wronged him to acknowledge their errors that he too, sought forgiveness.
Delete#1
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the epilogue is to answer any questions the audience might have and to provide clarity and a better understanding of why some things happened. But this particular epilogue left many questions unanswered, for instance, the audience never learns what is to become of Caliban or what will happen to Antonio and Sebastian.
-Anaijha Powell
Excellent analysis, Anaijha! As the audience, we would love to know their outcome, but I believe Shakespeare did that intentionally to indicate to the audience that in life there are some things that have no answers and that we may never get that which we set out for, like Antonio's aloofness.
DeleteShante Green
ReplyDelete#2 I believe that Prospero didn't tell Alonso about Antonio's and stephano's plot because everyone was forgiving everyone and leting go of the past so he didn't want to ruin the happy moment.
That's a very good point, Shante. It all goes back to timing and that was definitely not it.
DeleteGood morning Miss.
ReplyDeleteNumber two. Why didn't Prospero reveal Antonio and Sebastian's plot against King Alonso in Act 5, Scene 1, in Shakespeare's The Tempest?
Prospero didn't reveal Antonio and Sebastian's plot against King Alonso because he made his mind up against revenge and sought to forgive. - Milann Blake
Good morning, Milann and that is correct. He achieved his goal to bring them all together and now it was time to heal.
DeleteGood morning miss, I will be answering question 1.
ReplyDeleteThe function of an epilogue is often used to clarify issues that remained unresolved in the play. I think one of the issues was his unwillingness to forgive his brother, Antonio, for betraying him.So miss I think the significance of the epilogue is to show character development especially of the the main character, prospero, as he was able to move from a place of revenge and hatred , to a place of forgiveness and taking accountability for his actions. He rid himself of the magic which he acquired to right the wrongs done to him because upon reaching his goal he saw that he had no use for magic anymore.
Shanelle Earle
Good morning, Shanelle and well put! He is the perfect foil for his brother, Antonio, who remains stagnant where we see no signs of going forward on a new path to be a better brother, a good uncle to Miranda, etc.
DeleteGood Morning Miss.
ReplyDelete1. What is the significance of the Epilogue in Shakespeare's The Tempest?
Prospero, who is now alone on stage, requests that the audience free him. He states that he has thrown away his magic and pardoned those who have injured him. Now he requires that the audience release him from the island, which has been his prison so that he might return to Naples. An epilogue is section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a conclusion. The significance of the epilogue is to wrap up odds and ends.
Mikaela Clarke
Good morning, Mikaela and I am giving you a standing ovation for your comment! Well done!
DeleteSahel Hamilton
ReplyDelete#2 - Prospero didn’t reveal Antonio and Sebastian’s plot against King Alonso as it was not the right time. In The Tempest, time is a significant factor for all the events which had occurred. In Act 5, lines 126 - 129, Prospero said that he could reveal their plot but not at that time. If Prospero had disclosed their plot, it would have caused a big disruption at that moment, and all of Prospero’s plans could have been delayed.
Excellent inclusion of the time factor, Sahel! Timing is everything and bringing up that transgression would ruin the moment of forgiveness and transparency.
DeleteTwo reasons why Prospero did not reveal the plot of Antonio and Sebastian are: 1. He was reestablishing the order of things by forgiving everyone and 2. He would have control over Antonio and Sebastian because they wouldn't want him to expose them.
ReplyDelete-R. Leslie
Excellent, Romique! Prospero thought of the long-term goals and was willing to keep the peace. Like a true leader, he thought of everyone else's feelings before his own which shows he is a changed man.
DeleteNatasha Myers
ReplyDeleteGood morning miss, question 3. Throughout the play we see where various characters express their desire to rule the island, through this expression the theme of usurpation is portrayed. Prospero's brother, Antonio along with Alonso and Sebastian conspired against and eventually led to his dukedom being taken away. Upon arriving on the island he then overthrew Caliban who is believed to be the rightful owner, to gain authority of the island. Similarly, Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso in order for Sebastian to obtain the position of King of Naples.
Good morning, Natasha and well done! This constant vying for power reflects on the condition of England at the time when nobles were constantly overthrown and new ascensions were being done ever so often. Can you imagine the political state and the people's state of mind during that time? Such instability!
DeleteGood Morning Miss, in answering question 5, I would say that Prospero's blunt response to Caliban's vengeful act was rather of a 'gruff acceptance', as he already knew that Caliban had evil intentions towards him, so it came as no surprise to him really, however to add to the authenticity of Prospero's change of heart towards the other men who wronged him , it was only fitting that he would also forgive Caliban, but the master- to- servant tone is still sustained.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Williams