Workbook Answers for The Tempest by William Shakespeare Act 3 Scene 1 ISC
The Tempest Act 3 Scene 1 Workbook Answers
Extract 1
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 labors pleasures. O, she is
Ten times more gentle than her father’s crabbed;
And he’s compos’d of harshness. I must remove
Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up,
Upon a sore injunction. My sweet mistress
Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness
Had never like executor. I forget;
But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labors,
Most busil’est, when I do it.
1. What is meant by the ‘mean task’? Why was it heavy and odious? Why was such a task given to him?
Answer
Mean Task referred to the work of carrying logs and piling them up. It is heavy and odious work because it was the work of labor and it was a hateful work for King's son. Such a task was given to him in order to show his strength and love towards Miranda.
2. What is the attitude of his mistress to the work? How does she react when he seems him working?
Answer
Miranda is not happy to see Ferdinand work so hard. After seeing this, she wished that may lightning burn up these logs which have been ordered by his father to pile up. She even requested him to put down the logs and take rest.
3. With whom is she compared? What is the outcome of the comparison?
Answer
Miranda(she) is compared to her father Prospero by Ferdinand. The
outcome of the comparison is that she is ten times better than Prospero,
according to Ferdinand.
4. Prospero wants to join two hostile families through this romantic plot. What theme is highlighted through the love story?
Answer
The theme of love and reconciliation has been highlighted through a love story. He intentionally allows Miranda and Ferdinand to fall in love so that later he may be able to join two hostiles.
5. Briefly explain the character of Ferdinand in this scene?
Answer
Ferdinand is the hero of this romantic plot in the scene. He possesses a good impression on us, right from the beginning. He is deeply in love with Miranda. He says that if he can have a glimpse of her, it would compensate him for all the hard work Prospero gives him.
6. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) odious
(b) injunction
Answer
(a) odious :hateful
(b) injunction: punishment
Extract 2
MIRANDA. I do not know
One of my sex; no woman’s face remember,
Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen
More that I may call men than you, good friend,
And my dear father. How features are abroad
I am skilless of; but, by my modesty
(The jewel in my dower), I would not wish
Any companion in the world but you;
Nor can imagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle
Something too wildly, and my father’s precepts
I therein do forget.
1. Why couldn’t Miranda see the faces of many people in her life?
Answer
Miranda could not see many faces of people in her life because she was living with her father alone on this island from her early childhood.
2. How has Ferdinand declared his love for Miranda and how does she responds to it.
Answer
Ferdinand declared his love by saying that the very instant he saw her ,his heart flew towards her service .there his heart resides to make him a slve in her services. On this Miranda responded saying that you are the first man she had seen expect her father and ugly Caliban and starts weeping out of love.
3. What opinion do you form of Miranda from her speech?
Answer
From Miranda's speech we came to know that she has not seen any other man except his father and Caliban, seeing Ferdinand for the first time she falls in love with him.
4. Who is the architect of this romantic story? Why is the story introduced in the play?
Answer
The architect of this romantic play is Prospero. The story is introduced in the play because the subplot of love between Miranda and Ferdinand is vital for the main plot lead to the reconciliation of the two hostile families.
5. Why do most of the actions in the play take place on an isolated island?
Answer
Most of the actions take place on an isolated island because Prospero plays the main role in the play and he had been banished from the kingdom and sent to sea in the rotten boat by his brother Antonio.
6. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) dower
(b) prattle
Answer
(a) dower: inheritance
(b) prattle: to talk heedlessly
Extract 3
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;
If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow
You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.
1. Why does Miranda weep?
Answer
Miranda weeps at the inability to give Ferdinand what she wished to offer and to take something, without which she'll die.
2. What is referred to as this trifling? What is said about it in the extract? How bashful cunning is is opposed to holy innocence?
Answer
Idle talk is referred to as trifling. It is said by Miranda that more she tries to hide her love more it is revealed with the cunning display of bashfulness, letting Miranda's simple and scared innocence be her aid.
3. How determined is Miranda in her love for Ferdinand? Give evidence to support your answer.
Answer
Miranda is completely determined in her love with Ferdinand, as she says that if she does not become his wife she would become his servant and would like to die as her maid.
4. How do Ferdinand and Miranda profess their love for each other?
Answer
Ferdinand shows his love by carrying logs and piling them against his will just because he loves Miranda, seeing Ferdinand working, Miranda weeps to see him do such a work, and says that she only wants to marry Ferdinand as her husband.
5. Where was Prospero during the profession of love? What did he say expressing his feelings at the end of the scene?
Answer
Prospero was hidden behind and was listening to the talks of two young lovers during the profession of love. He said that he is glad at this love affair of two lovers. Besides the love they have a thrill of surprise at unexpected development, nothing gives him more joy than Ferdinand and Miranda's love.
6. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) trifling
(b) bashful
Answer
(a) trifling: idle talk
(b) bashful: shy