The Tempest Act II Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary terms, characters, quotes, and key plot points from Act II of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Alonso

King of Naples and Ferdinand's father who believes Ferdinand died in the storm and is extremely upset.

Sebastian

Alonso's brother who is convinced by Antonio to try to kill Alonso and take the throne.

Antonio

Prospero's brother who stole Prospero's position and encourages Sebastian to betray his own brother in Act II.

Gonzalo

A kind and loyal nobleman who tries to comfort Alonso and imagines how he would govern the island.

Adrian and Francisco

Nobles traveling with Alonso; Francisco tries to give Alonso hope that Ferdinand may still be alive.

Gonzalo's Ideal Commonwealth

A peaceful society on the island with no wealth, work, weapons, crime, or private ownership, where nature provides for everyone.

Claribel

Alonso's daughter who is far away in Tunis, leaving Sebastian close to the throne of Naples.

Ariel

A spirit who uses magical music to put the nobles to sleep and later saves Alonso and Gonzalo by waking Gonzalo with a warning before they can be murdered.

Trinculo

Alonso's jester who survived the storm, encounters Caliban, and crawls under Caliban's cloak for shelter from an incoming storm.

Stephano

Alonso's drunken butler who survived the shipwreck with a bottle of alcohol, gives wine to Caliban, and becomes Caliban's chosen new master.

Caliban

Prospero's servant who carries wood, curses Prospero, mistakes Trinculo for a spirit, drinks Stephano's wine, and promises to serve Stephano to escape Prospero.

Antonio and Sebastian's Excuse

The lie told by Antonio and Sebastian that they drew their swords because they heard a frightening noise, like lions, for protection.

Stephano's Four-Legged Monster

Stephano's initial belief when he sees Caliban and Trinculo hiding together under a cloak.

"Beseech you, sir, be merry"

Words spoken by Gonzalo while trying to comfort Alonso.

"Prithee, no more. Thou dost talk nothing to me"

Words spoken by Alonso, telling Gonzalo to stop talking.

"All things in common nature should produce / Without sweat or endeavor"

Words spoken by Gonzalo, describing his ideal society.

"All the infections that the sun sucks up… on Prosper fall"

Words spoken by Caliban at the beginning of Act II, Scene 2 to curse Prospero.

"'Ban, 'Ban, Ca-caliban / Has a new master"

A song sung by Caliban as he celebrates leaving Prospero to serve Stephano.