Question

Prospero : 

I did say so, 

When first I raised the tempest Say, my spirit, How fares the king and’s followers?

Ariel : 

Confin ’d together 

In the same fashion as you gave in charge. Just as you left them; all prisoners, sir, In the line-grove which weather-fends your cell;

They cannot budge till your release. 

(i) Where are Prospero and Ariel? What is Prospero dressed in? 

(ii) What does Prospero refer to when he says “I did say so ”? Who is the “king ” referred to by Prospero? 

(iii) Comment on Prospero’s use of the expression, “my spirit.” 

(iv) Explain: “In the line-grove…your cell”. 

(v) What reaction does Ariel expect from Prospero on seeing his prisoners’ condition? 

(vi) Mention one quality of Ariel as reflected in this extract

Answer 1

(i) Prospero and Ariel are at a venture on the island where Prospero’s alchemic experiments are in progress. Prospero is dressed in his magic robe. 

(ii) Prospero refers to the moment for which he has been waiting since twelve years. The ‘king’ referred to by Prospero is his treacherous brother Antonio. 

(iii) Prospero addresses Ariel as ‘my spirit’. The expression suggests that Prospero is in a pleasant mood and is glad at the performance of Ariel. 

(iv) “In the line-grove which weather-fends your cell” means that amongst the dense grove of lime, which protects Prospero’s cell from bad weather. Here Ariel has made captive the enemies of his master Prospero. 

(v) Ariel expects that Prospero will have pity on seeing his prisoners’ condition. 

(vi) Ariel strictly carried out Prospero’s orders as instructed by him. Therefore, we can say that Ariel was obedient to Prospero.