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Year 7 - English

Exploring Prospero's power over Caliban in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'

'The Tempest'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the plot and characters of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', and read sections of the play. They explore how Prospero treats Ariel, Caliban and Miranda, and write monlogues from their perspectives. Finally, they write and perform their own monologues inspired by the play.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse the ways in which Prospero exerts his power over Caliban in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' and how this might relate to ideas of colonialism.

Key Notes

  • Prospero repeatedly calls Caliban his slave, emphasising Caliban's inferiority.
  • Prospero rules Caliban through fear.
  • 'The Tempest' is considered by many scholars to be a comment on colonialism.
  • Caliban could be considered representative of indigenous people controlled by colonists.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Representative: Being representative of something means being an example.
  • Superior: Being superior means being higher in rank, status, or quality.
  • Inferior: Being inferior means being lower in rank, status, or quality.
  • Power: Having power means being able to control people or events.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That characters are only meant to be read as themselves.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Prospero repeatedly calls Caliban his slave, emphasising Caliban's inferiority. Prospero rules Caliban through fear.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Representative'

Being representative of something means being an example.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That characters are only meant to be read as themselves. Correction: Often in literature, the characters are the writer's way of commenting on something happening in the world.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.