“Tempest Act II”

1)      Gonzalo is a very optimistic elder man, who tries to help others in the ways that he can. In the first act, second scene, Prospero reveals to Miranda his story of how they came to live on the island, and in that, he mentions Gonzalo, whom he calls “A noble Neapolitan” (I.ii.273). He then explains his role within the plot of exiling Prospero, in which he explains that “Out of his charity…did give us, with/Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries” (I.ii.275-276). From this we can tell that Gonzalo was the only reason that Prospero and his daughter were alive anymore, due to his generosity and kindness towards them. Even so, he was on the side of the kind, as he had to be, yet he still gave Prospero what he needed to survive on the isle alone. In Act II scene I, he is giving optimistic words to the king, showing that he has not changed much and that his behavior seems consistent with how he used to act as he is still kind and gentle towards those he talks to.

2)      Based on how Sebastian and Antonio treat Gonzalo while he tries to cheer up the king, the reader can conclude that they are cynical and make jokes of everything whenever possible. With every remark Gonzalo says, they repeat back with a joking or snide remark. They try to beat Gonzalo’s bright words down constantly, such as when Gonzalo speaks of how bright the grass is and Antonio spouts “He misses not much.” (II.i.759), so as to say that Gonzalo does not mind losing all that he once had.

3)      In the second act, Gonzalo explains to the group that he is travelling with his dream world and government that he would create on the island. He talks about how no one would have to work and how there would be no money. Gonzalo speaks of the new government as if it were to happen, and he says it to the group whilst Antonio and Sebastian continue to mock him. The world he describes is one of peace and calm, with no fighting or anger whatsoever. He seems to be saying this to the group to try and occupy their minds with something other than death, possibly a new beginning that could start on the very island they were stranded.

4)      Antonio has a past of getting rid of those rightfully in power and taking their place, therefore he more than likely convinced Sebastian to kill his brother to begin drama. It’s a strange reason, but he seems to be one who wants to start a fight, and seeing as they are all stuck on an island with each other, it’s the perfect chance to begin something. Sebastian and Antonio also seem to be friends, and if Sebastian were to gain power, then he may grant Antonio more power as well, which Antonio is always open for. Sebastian’s response shows that the two think alike, and that Sebastian may have thought about it before as he is very liking to the idea of himself being the king of Naples. He seems weary at first, yet still agrees to it in the end and agrees to give Antonio some more power if he continues to help.

Shakespeare could be speaking on human nature and the want for power and strength, as this is what the two men are after. He could also be saying that humans are heavily influenced by those that they trust greatly, like Sebastian.

5)      It isn’t quite surprising that Caliban decided to worship Stephano, given that he gave him alcohol and Caliban seems to adore the stuff. Added to that, he despises Prospero with all of his being, so to willingly and quickly get rid of any ties to Prospero to follow someone else doesn’t seem like such an unusual thing for him to do. There’s also a difference in how the two would come to power of the island, with Prospero supposedly “taking” it from Caliban and Stephano gaining it from Caliban. The lack of consent from the former owner seems to be the main difference between the two ownerships. To do this shows that Caliban is fairly pathetic and isn’t all that he says he is, and that he is extremely willing to change his fate be what he wants of it.