tempest: storm
Let's practise
Then, as Miranda fell into a charmed sleep, the source of Prospero's magical tempest appeared.
This was Ariel, a strange creature who seemed all made of fire and air, and who was visible only to Prospero.
Ariel's special quality was 'to fly,
To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride
On the curled clouds …'
Ariel had been on the island before Prospero arrived, but had been imprisoned in a tree by a witch. He was in pain and misery because it was his very nature to be free, to ride the elements high in the sky, or deep in the earth and below the sea's surface; he could create both roaring storms and healing, soothing music. When Prospero discovered Ariel in the tree he set him free, but on condition he should serve him for twelve years, according to his swift and airy nature.
Meg Harris Williams: from Five Tales from Shakespeare (The Clunie Press, 1996)
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Do you think Ariel will keep his promise to serve Prospero now that he has been freed?
Explain why.
1 mark
- Read the question. Read it again. What is it asking?
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To use the information in the text to predict how Ariel might behave.
- Look for clues in the text to see what Ariel does.
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He likes to fly, swim and dive into the fire. He likes to ride on the clouds.
- What else does the text tell you about his character?
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The text says, 'it was in his nature to be free'. If you are serving another person, you will not be free to do the things that you want.
- Answer the question with reference to information given in the text.
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I think that Ariel will not serve Prospero well as he likes to be free to do his own things. By serving Prospero, he will be trapped again like he was in the tree. I think he will fly far away from Prospero.
- Check your answer.