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      Planning an essay on Prospero's power over Caliban in 'The Tempest'

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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can plan an essay that explores how Prospero exerts his power over Caliban.

      Key learning points

      1. Analysing language means looking at specific words in close detail and explaining their effect on the reader.
      2. An argument is where you present your idea about the text and convince the reader that it is correct.
      3. An essay plan should include a thesis statement which explains the overarching argument.
      4. Prospero treats Caliban cruelly through his language and actions.
      5. Arguably, Shakespeare may have been suggesting that the colonists' treatment of indigenous people was cruel.

      Keywords

      • Slave - A slave is a person who is forced to work for and obey someone else and is considered their property.

      • Cruelty - Being cruel to someone means deliberately inflicting pain or suffering.

      • Exploitation - Exploitation is the act of using someone unfairly for your own advantage.

      • Power - If you are able to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events, then you have power.

      Common misconception

      That an argument only means a heated, angry exchange.

      An argument about a text means presenting your idea and your points to prove that your idea is correct.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to spend more time thinking about how to analyse language and tease out connotations of words.

      Equipment

      You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
       except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
       (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      To create an essay plan means to...

      write your answer to an essay titlle
      review your answer to an essay title
      Correct answer: think about what you're going to say in your answer

      Q2.
      To treat someone cruelly means...

      to treat someone fairly
      Correct answer: to deliberately cause pain or suffering
      to be jealous of someone

      Q3.
      If you say someone is a 'liar', what impression do you create of them?

      Correct answer: a negative impression
      a positive impression
      a neutral impression

      Q4.
      Match the word with the definition.

      Correct Answer:Slave,someone considered the property of someone else
      Correct Answer:Power,ability to control others/events
      Correct Answer:Exploit,use someone unfairly

      Q5.
      What do we mean when we ask you to think about the 'connotations' of a word?

      Correct answer: the feelings and emotions it suggests
      to find words with a similar meaning
      to think about how to use the word in a sentence

      Q6.
      Colonialism is the process of taking control of...

      someone
      Correct answer: another country
      a business

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Analysing the language of a text means...

      examining what Prospero says to Caliban
      Correct answer: looking at words in close detail to show their effect
      stating your opinion on the text

      Q2.
      In 'The Tempest', what is the effect of Prospero calling Caliban 'filth'?

      Correct answer: It suggests he's unclean.
      It suggests he's the son of a witch.
      It suggests Prospero has power over Caliban.

      Q3.
      Which of the following plot points show Prospero's cruelty to Caliban in 'The Tempest'?

      Correct answer: He threatens him with physical violence.
      He learns about the island from him.
      He leaves him alone on the island at the end of the play.
      Correct answer: He calls him a 'poisonous slave'.

      Q4.
      The statement that presents your overall argument is known as the...

      topic statement
      Correct answer: thesis statement
      overall statement

      Q5.
      A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea is known as...

      Correct Answer: an argument, a argument, Argument, An Argument

      Q6.
      If Shakespeare presents Prospero's treatment of Caliban as cruel in 'The Tempest', what might this suggest about colonialism?

      That the natives treated the colonists cruelly.
      Correct answer: That the colonists treated indigenous people cruelly.
      That everyone was treated fairly through colonialism.

      To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Planning an essay on Prospero's power over Caliban in 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...