Study Questions

1. Why is Caliban unable to walk in the beginning of this scene?

2. What is Caliban’s proposal to Stephano and Trinculo?

3. Who does Caliban suggest as king of the island? What position will Caliban hold?

4. What is Ariel’s purpose for mimicking Trinculo’s voice?

5. Why does Stephano beat Trinculo?

6. What is the first thing the conspirators intend to do when they reach Prospero’s cell?

7. Why are Prospero’s books important to the conspiracy?

8. Who notices that Stephano and Trinculo cannot get the tune of the catch?

9. Who is afraid of the mysterious music of Ariel’s tabor and pipe?

10. How does the music affect the three characters by the end of the scene?

Answers

1. Caliban is too drunk to walk.

2. Caliban suggests that they murder Prospero and take over the island.

3. Caliban suggests that Stephano be the king of the island and Caliban will be his servant.

4. Ariel’s purpose for mimicking Trinculo is to set the characters against each other.

5. Stephano thinks Trinculo is mocking Caliban by calling him a liar.

6. The first thing the conspirators will do at Prospero’s cell is seize his books.

7. Without his books Prospero has no magical powers.

8. Caliban notices that they are singing the wrong tune.

9. Stephano and Trinculo are afraid of Ariel’s music.

10. The music mesmerizes them, and they follow it.