Questions Answers from The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1

Structured Questions and Answers from The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1 by William Shakespeare

Questions Answers from Passages of The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1

Passages from The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1

1. Ferdinand :
There be some sports are painful, and their labour
Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness 
Are nobly undergone; and most poor matters 
Point to rich ends. This my mean task 
Would be as heavy to me, as odious, but 
The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead,
And makes my labours pleasures. 

1. Bring out the meaning of the first two lines.

Answer

Ferdinand means that some sports are difficult to do, but the joy in doing them makes up or compensates for the difficulties.

2. What is Ferdinand referring to as mean task? Who gave him this task? Why?

Answer

The mean task is bearing the wooden logs and placing them in a pile. Prospero gave him this job as he wants to test the character and sincerity of Ferdinand before giving the hand of Miranda to him for marriage.

3. He says something about Miranda soon after this. What does he say?

Answer

He says that Miranda is so sweet that the very sight of her makes his labors pleasant. She is ten times gentler than her father and her heart weeps to see him toil like this.

4. What task is Ferdinand doing just now? 

Answer

Ferdinand is removing thousands of logs and piling them up.

5. What does Miranda think of this task?

Answer

Miranda says that such menial work is not suitable for a noble character like Ferdinand.

6. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:

baseness; odious; quickens

Answer

Baseness - lowly activity
Odious - extremely unpleasant
Quickens - rejuvenates, gives life to

2. Prospero: [aside) Poor worm, thou art infected!
This visitation shows it.
Miranda: You look wearily. 
Ferdinand: No, noble mistress, 'tis fresh morning with me
When you are by at night. I do beseech you,----
Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,
What is your name? 
Miranda: Miranda- my father,
I have broke you hest to say so ! 
Ferdinand: Admir'd Miranda,
Indeed the top of admiration; worth 
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady 
I have eyed with best regard; and many a time 
Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear. 

1. Who is the "poor worm" referred to? What has the "worm' been "infected" with?

Answer

Miranda is referred to as the "poor worm", and is 'infected with love for Ferdinand, the crown prince.

2. What makes Ferdinand "look wearily"? How does Ferdinand feel in Miranda's presence?

Answer

Tiredness from hard physical labor makes Ferdinand look weary. But the very presence of charming Miranda refreshes him.

3. Why does Ferdinand wish to know Miranda's name? What compliments does he bestow upon Miranda?

Answer

So that he could pray for her, Ferdinand wishes to know Miranda's name. "Admired Miranda-to of all admiration" is the compliment that he bestows upon her.

4. What are Prospero's feelings on knowing about the couple's feelings for each other?

Answer

Prospero is filled with fatherly love when he comes to know about the feelings of love that the couple has for each other, and he wishes, the grace of Almighty may rain "on that which breeds between them."

3. Ferdinand : 
Admir'd Miranda,
Indeed the top of admiration, worth 
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady 
I have eyed with best regard, and many a time 
Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage 
Brought my too diligent ear. For several virtues 
Have I lik'd several women, never any 
With so full soul but some defect in her 
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd, 
And put it to the foil. But you, O you, 
So perfect and so peerless, are created 
Of every creature's best.

1. Why does Miranda says that she has broken her father's command, a little before this extract?

Answer

Miranda says that she has broken her father's command as Prospero had forbidden her to reveal her name to Ferdinand but she has done so.

2. What does Ferdinand say about other women in this extract? 

Answer

Ferdinand says that he has seen many women with admiration and many a time their voice has charmed his ears. He has been attracted to many women for their separate virtues but never found all the qualities he was looking for in one woman.

3. How does he compare these women with Miranda?

Answer

Ferdinand says Miranda is a combination of several different virtues that he has seen in other women and she is perfect without an equal.

4. How does Miranda reply to these words?

Answer

Miranda says that she has never seen another woman than the reflection of hers in a mirror nor men other than her father and Ferdinand. She declares in her modesty, which is her best possession that she does not wish any other companion than the young man in front of her.

5. How does Ferdinand try to reassure Miranda at this moment?

Answer

Ferdinand tells her that his instinct tells him that he is a prince or a king and he hates the job of carrying wood as he hates garbage flies settling on his mouth. He also declares that he has fallen in love with her, the moment he saw her and his heart is in her possession. It is for her sake that he is carrying logs so patiently.

6. What does Prospero tell himself after seeing the two lovers together?

Answer

Prospero is so happy to see the young lovers together and wishes that God may shower his blessings on what is happening between them.

7. Explain: "Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage. Brought my too diligent ear."

Answer

Ferdinand's attention was drawn towards the melodious manner of women talking among themselves.

8. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the context of the passage:

diligent; foil; peerless 

Answer

Diligent - attentive, heedful
Foil - setback, defeat
Peerless - incomparable, matchless

4. Ferdinand: Wherefore weep you? 
Miranda: At mine unworthiness, that dare

not offer 
What I desire to give, and much less take 
What I shall die to want. But this is trifling, 
And all the more it seeks to hide itself, 
The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning, 
And prompt me, plain and holy innocence 
I am your wife, if you will marry me;

1. Where are Ferdinand and Miranda at the present moment? Who is the third person unseen by both of them?

Answer

At the present moment, Ferdinand is laboring as a slave of Prospero on the island and Miranda is there, watching him. Prospero is the third person unseen by both of them.

2. Explain: "... and much less take What I shall die to want."

Answer

The given expression shows Miranda's innocent and selfless love for Ferdinand.

3. What is "it" referred to in the line "And all the more it seeks to hide itself..."

Answer

In the given part of the statement 'it' is referred to as 'true love which cannot be hidden, because the more you try to hide it the more it is exposed.

4. What does “bashful cunning" mean? What proposal does Miranda make?

Answer

"Bashful cunning" means pretense of shyness. By her, all innocence Miranda proposes about marriage to Ferdinand.

5. What will she do if her proposal is rejected? 

Answer

Miranda will die as a maiden but she will be his servant whether he wants her or not.