The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Notes ISC Class 11 and Class 12

The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Notes ISC Class 11 and Class 12
Summary
A group of passengers including Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian are talking to one another in
another part of the island after having been safely brought there by Ariel, a spirit controlled by
Prospero. Alonso’s son Ferdinand has leapt into the sea in the storm and is thought to be
drowned.
Gonzalo one of the courtiers, tries to console Alonso, the king of Naples, who is saddened by the
supposed death of his son, Ferdinand. But Alonso desires to be left along . Sebastian and
Antonio try to lessen Alonso’s sadness by ridiculing Gonzalo. Sebastian remarks that it is the
King’s fault for marrying off his daughter to the king of Tunis. Had he not done so, there would
have been no need to undertake such a long journey. Gonzalo does not relish Sebastian’s remarks
and so criticizes him for being so insensitive to the situation. Alonso shows no interest in their
conversation , but Gonzalo passes on by saying that if he were the ruler of the island, he would
not allow money, commerce, learning, laws, servants, masters, farming, work, technology or
weapons to intrude the island. Sebastian and Antonio make fun of his strange vision. Ariel enters
the scene and makes everyone except these two to sleep.
Antonio provokes Sebastian to kill his brother, the king of Naples , and seize his kingdom.
Sebastian entertains this idea because he thinks that as Ferdinand is drowned, and Alonso’s
daughter is married off to a distant place, he could easily become the king. He remembers that
Antonio too overthrew his brother and asks him if his conscience pricks him. Antonio answers
him that his conscience never bothers him. They agree to execute their plan. They decide to take
out their swords and kill Alonso and Gonzalo. In the meanwhile, Ariel awakens Gonzalo who
rouses others with a shout. All get up and see the two- Sebastian and Antonio – standing with
their swords out. Sebastian makes a lame excuse by saying that a roar in the distant made them
take out their swords.
The roar of the animal at the distant place frightens the courtiers and forces them to move away
from that spot to another part of the island in search of Alonso’s son Ferdinand.
Critical Commentary
In this scene, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian involve themselves in a witty and humorous
conversation.
Gonzalo strikes a positive note in his remarks whereas Antonio and Sebastian strike negative
notes in their comments. From their remarks, we come to know that Gonzalo is an honest and
good person who looks on the bright side of things. He is happy just to be alive. Antonio is a
cynical and deceitful man. He is always planning to manipulate things in his favour. He has no
regard for the king. Sebastian is also a cynic. He lacks moral strength and Antonio’s initiative.
Thus he is always ready to follow Antonio.
This scene reveals the plot hatched by Antonio and Sebastian, to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. In
fact, it is Antonio who initiates this plot and provokes Sebastian to murder Alonso. Sebastian
entertains his idea because he thinks that as Ferdinand is drowned, and Alonso’s daughter is
married off to a distant place, he could easily become the kind. He recollects that Antonio too
overthrew his brother and asks him if his conscience pricks him. Antonio answers that his
conscience never bother him. They agree to execute their plan but Gonzalo who wakes up at the
right time foils their plot.
In this scene, we find the supremacy of Prospero’s magic and the failure of the conspiracy
hatched by Antonio and Sebastian to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. Ariel, the airy spirit, who
obeys the commands of Prospero, awakes Gonzalo who foils the plot hatched by Antonio and
Sebastian.
Thus the treacherous plot hatched by Antonio and Sebastian to kill Alonso, the king of Naples,
and Gonzalo, the old courtier is foiled by Prospero through Ariel.
Significance of the Scene

1. This scene is set in another part of the island.
2. The characters in this scene are minor but important.
3. Shakespeare’s knowledge and interest in the explorations and discoveries of the time is
revealed here.
4. The plot of Antonio and Sebastian , thwarted by Ariel, only re-affirms their evil nature.
The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Questions and Answers

1. Gonzalo
That our garments, being, as they were, drenched
in the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness
and gloss, being rather new-dyed than stained
with salt water.
Antonio
If but one of his pockets could speak, would it
not say he lies?
Sebastian
Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report.
Gonzalo
Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when
we put them on first in Africa, at the marriage of
the King’s fair daughter Claribel to the King of
Tunis.
(i) How has Gonzalo tried to console Alonso? Why?
Answer : Gonzalo has tried to console Alonso because Alonso is in grief over the supposed
death of his son Ferdinand. According to Gonzalo, they should be cheerful for the fact that they
have escaped the worst tempest in their lives.
(ii) What seems to be something miraculous to Gonzalo?
Answer : Gonzalo has tried to console Alonso because Alonso is in grief over the supposed
death of his son Ferdinand. According to Gonzalo, they should be cheerful for the fact that they
have escaped the worst tempest in their lives.
(iii) How is he mocked at by Antonio?
Answer : Antonio, making fun of Gonzalo, says that if one of his pockets could speak it would
say he told a lie as it had mud in it.
(iv) Who is Claribel? From where is the party of passengers coming?
Answer : Claribel is Alonso’s daughter. The party of passengers aboard the ship that has
‘wrecked’ is coming from Africa where Claribel was married to the King of Tunis.
(v) How does Sebastian describe Claribel’s marriage later in the context?
Answer : Sebastian ironically remarks that the marriage was ‘sweet’ (unlucky) . That was why,
they had a ‘prosperous’ (disastrous) voyage back.
(vi) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) notwithstanding (b) pocked up
Answer : (a) yet (b) hide
2. Sebastian
Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,
That would not bless our Europe with your daughter
But rather loose her to an African;
Where shall at least is banished your eye,
Who hath cause to wet the grief on’t.
Alonso
Prithee, peace.
Sebastian
You were kneeled to an importuned otherwise
By all of us, and the fair soul herself
Weighed between loathness and obedience, at
Which end o’th’ beam should bow. We have lost your son,
I fear, for ever. Milan and Naples have
More windows in them of this business’ making
Then we bring men to comfort them.
The fault’s your own.
(i) Who is Alonso? Why is he in grief?
Answer : Alonso is the king of Naples. He is in grief over the supposed loss of his son
Ferdinand. He is inconsolable. He does not believe that his son could be alive.
(ii) Who is Sebastian? Why does he blame Alonso?
Answer : Sebastian is Alonso’s brother. He blames Alonso for the voyage which took the toll of
Alonso’s son Ferdinand. He wants to say that if they had not undertaken to voyage to get his
daughter married to an African, Ferdinand would have been alive.
(iii) Why is Antonio pointing out to the way the others have fallen asleep?
Answer : Antonio is pointing out to Sebastian that all have together fallen asleep as if struck
down by thunder. He wants to underline the fact that Fate has given a golden opportunity to them
and it must be availed of.
(iv) Explain : ‘My strong imagination sees a crown/Dropping upon thy head’.
Answer : Antonio is now more open than before in laying bare his vicious plan. He says that he
is already seeing Sebastian being crowned as a king. Slowly and surely he is whetting the secret
desire in Sebastian to be the king himself.
(v) How does Antonio later openly disclose what he wants?
Answer : Antonio tells Sebastian that he can be the king of Naples by killing his sleeping
brother Alonso. The prince Ferdinand is thought to be dead and the princess is married in a far-
off country. Gonzalo, who is devoted to Alonso, will be killed. Others would be happy to obey
them.
(vi) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) nimble (b) speaks
Answer : (a) lively (b) incites

The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Notes ISC Class 11 and Class 12

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The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Notes ISC Class 11 and Class 12

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The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Notes ISC Class 11 and Class 12

Significance of the Scene

The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Questions and Answers

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