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The Tempest | Why did Shakespeare include the sub-plot of Antonio and Sebastian scheming against King Alonso?
In Act II, scene i., as King Alonso and his trusted advisor Gonzalo lay sleeping under Ariel's spell, Prospero's brother, Antonio, suggests to the king's brother, Sebastian, that they kill Alonso so that Sebastian can become King of Naples. The plot is Antonio's brainchild and he broaches the scheme to Sebastian by saying "My strong imagination sees a crown/Dropping upon they head" (II, i., ll.208-209). Not only is Sebastian slow to get Antonio's drift, at the last minute he stays their swords from the heads of the sleeping King and the worthy counselor, and Ariel re-appears to awaken...
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- The Tempest: Introduction
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- The Tempest: William Shakespeare Biography
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- The Tempest: List of Characters
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The Tempest: Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 1-188 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 189-320 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 321-374 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 375-504 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 1-184 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 185-328 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 1-163 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 164-266 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, lines 1-87 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, 88-171 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, 172-255 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1, Lines 256-330 Summary and Analysis
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The Tempest: Quizzes
- Act I, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 1-188 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 189-320 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 321-374 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2, lines 375-504 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 1-184 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 1, lines 185-328 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 2 Questions and Answers
- Act III, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
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- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 1-163 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scene 1, lines 164-266 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, lines 1-87 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, 88-171 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, 172-255 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1, Lines 256-330 Questions and Answers
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The Tempest: Essays
- Does Shakespeare Critique European Colonialism in The Tempest?
- Prospero and Shakespeare
- Ariel and Allegory in The Tempest
- Caliban: A Character Study
- Themes in The Tempest
- Father-Daughter Relationships in Shakespeare's Pericles, The Winter's Tale, and The Tempest
- The Tempest: Illusion and Reality
- The Tempest: An Overview
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