Exploring Prospero and Caliban's relationship in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'The Tempest'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Prospero and Caliban at the beginning of the play.
Key learning points
- The staging of a performance can influence our interpretation of the scene and the characters.
- The language used by Prospero and Caliban shows a mutual animosity.
- Prospero uses imperative language to show his superiority to Caliban.
Keywords
Subservient - To be subservient is to be less important.
Superior - To be superior is to be higher in rank, status or quality.
Imperative - To use imperative language means to give orders or commands.
Animosity - To feel animosity towards someone is to feel a strong dislike.
Wicked - To be wicked is to be morally bad or wrong.
Common misconception
That it's obvious how a character should be interpreted by the audience.
The staging of a performance from body language to costuming can make a huge difference in how different audiences interpret a character.
Teacher tip
You could have the students act out the scene and consider how they would portray Caliban as either aggressive or a sympathetic character.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If something is 'wicked' then it is .
Q2.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Prospero describes Caliban as 'wicked'. What do you think their relationship is?
Q3.What does it mean to be superior?
Q4.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Prospero is Caliban's master. What does this mean about their relationship?
Q5.Match the stage costume with the impression of the character.
Someone professional and respected
Someone not doing very well in their life
Someone elderly
Q6.If someone describes an emotion or sensation to you in detail, what two things does this imply?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Several theatrical productions of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' show Caliban wearing chains. What does this indicate?
Q2.In one theatrical performance of 'The Tempest', Prospero is pictured with a hand on the hilt of his sword when speaking to Caliban. What does this indicate?
Q3.To be subservient means to be?
Q4.In one theatrical performance of 'The Tempest', Caliban begins by speaking from below the stage floor. What does this suggest?
Q5.To have animosity towards someone means .
Q6.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Prospero uses a lot of imperative language when talking to Caliban. What does this suggest?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Exploring Prospero and Caliban's relationship in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Exploring Prospero and Caliban's relationship in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'The Tempest' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.