Shakespeare's The Tempest Analysis
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Annotated Bibliography & Drama Research Paper
For the annotated bibliography and second research essay, you will be researching the elements of drama as it relates to Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The list of topics you may choose from is below.
For this essay assignment, you must use a minimum of 6 sources (including your primary source, which is the play itself, plus FIVE additional, credible, relevant secondary sources). You will explore themes, characters, or aspects of drama itself. All secondary sources should come from the literature databases linked on the library research guide for this project.
The TEMPEST -Essay Questions/Prompts
The Tempest is set in the 1600s against the backdrop of an enchanted island. The island is a place of magic, spirits, and illusions. It opens with a violent storm at sea, which transports the characters to the island after their ship is caught in “the tempest.” Although it takes place over a mere four hours, it is a microcosm of colonialism. The historical context is set during a time of European exploration and colonization of the America’s.
Suggested Prompts:
Character and power: Examine the nature of power in “The Tempest.” How do characters like Prospero, Caliban, and Alonzo wield or lose power, and what does the play suggest about its corrupting influence or its legitimate use?
Colonialism and otherness:
Argue whether “The Tempest” can be read as an allegory for European colonialism. What textual evidence supports or refutes this interpretation, particularly in the interactions between Prospero and the islands original inhabitants?
Analyse the character of Caliban as a representation of “the other.” How does Shakespeare use Caliban to explore themes of race, language, and cultural identity?
Revenge, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Analyse the significance of Prospero’s famous line “The rarer action is in virtue than vengeance.” How does this statement encapsulate the play’s central conflict and its resolution?
Other Requirements:
• Target length is 4-5 pages (1200-1500 words), typed, double-spaced, in MLA format
• You must incorporate both direct quotes, paraphrases, and at least one blocked quote
• You must incorporate text evidence from the play, plus outside sources to support your analysis, all correctly cited in MLA format.
• Your secondary sources should be from scholarly articles and critical essays that are located using the literature databases from the library research guide for this project. Ask the librarians to help you find source material. DO NOT use study sites such as Shmoop or Sparknotes, or other general website sources, including published student essays, as sources!!!
• Generative AI resources are NOT allowed for generating essay rough or final drafts. Any authorized use of generative AI during the research process must be disclosed and accurately referenced on the works cited page.
Reminders: An essay consisting of plot summary will receive a failing grade, so do not simply retell the plot details (except briefly in the introduction). Assume your reader has read the play and knows what happened but wants an interpretation of its meaning and significance. You must quote liberally from the primary source (the text of the play) and from secondary research to support your claims.
Support materials:
SCC library website: http://library.sccsc.edu/
Drama Research Library Research Guide: https://libguides.sccsc.edu/crucible
• By visiting the library research guide housed on the SCC library website, they have step by step instructions to walk you through the research process for this essay, including links to the literature databases where you will find the secondary sources (literary criticism/critical essays) for this essay.
• I highly suggest starting with Drama for Students as your first secondary source. It will help you break down the play, analyze characters, themes, and other literary elements, and includes 2 or 3 critical essays about the play after the breakdown section. You can find the link under Step 2 of the drama research guide. Be sure to choose the chapter focused on the play and not the film version, both should be included in your search results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcnp8apSJ1k
***Watch the filmed performance of the play (link posted above) to fully experience the impact of the text.
For the annotated bibliography and second research essay, you will be researching the elements of drama as it relates to Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The list of topics you may choose from is below.
For this essay assignment, you must use a minimum of 6 sources (including your primary source, which is the play itself, plus FIVE additional, credible, relevant secondary sources). You will explore themes, characters, or aspects of drama itself. All secondary sources should come from the literature databases linked on the library research guide for this project.
The TEMPEST -Essay Questions/Prompts
The Tempest is set in the 1600s against the backdrop of an enchanted island. The island is a place of magic, spirits, and illusions. It opens with a violent storm at sea, which transports the characters to the island after their ship is caught in “the tempest.” Although it takes place over a mere four hours, it is a microcosm of colonialism. The historical context is set during a time of European exploration and colonization of the America’s.
Suggested Prompts:
Character and power: Examine the nature of power in “The Tempest.” How do characters like Prospero, Caliban, and Alonzo wield or lose power, and what does the play suggest about its corrupting influence or its legitimate use?
Colonialism and otherness:
Argue whether “The Tempest” can be read as an allegory for European colonialism. What textual evidence supports or refutes this interpretation, particularly in the interactions between Prospero and the islands original inhabitants?
Analyse the character of Caliban as a representation of “the other.” How does Shakespeare use Caliban to explore themes of race, language, and cultural identity?
Revenge, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Analyse the significance of Prospero’s famous line “The rarer action is in virtue than vengeance.” How does this statement encapsulate the play’s central conflict and its resolution?
Other Requirements:
• Target length is 4-5 pages (1200-1500 words), typed, double-spaced, in MLA format
• You must incorporate both direct quotes, paraphrases, and at least one blocked quote
• You must incorporate text evidence from the play, plus outside sources to support your analysis, all correctly cited in MLA format.
• Your secondary sources should be from scholarly articles and critical essays that are located using the literature databases from the library research guide for this project. Ask the librarians to help you find source material. DO NOT use study sites such as Shmoop or Sparknotes, or other general website sources, including published student essays, as sources!!!
• Generative AI resources are NOT allowed for generating essay rough or final drafts. Any authorized use of generative AI during the research process must be disclosed and accurately referenced on the works cited page.
Reminders: An essay consisting of plot summary will receive a failing grade, so do not simply retell the plot details (except briefly in the introduction). Assume your reader has read the play and knows what happened but wants an interpretation of its meaning and significance. You must quote liberally from the primary source (the text of the play) and from secondary research to support your claims.
Support materials:
SCC library website: http://library.sccsc.edu/
Drama Research Library Research Guide: https://libguides.sccsc.edu/crucible
• By visiting the library research guide housed on the SCC library website, they have step by step instructions to walk you through the research process for this essay, including links to the literature databases where you will find the secondary sources (literary criticism/critical essays) for this essay.
• I highly suggest starting with Drama for Students as your first secondary source. It will help you break down the play, analyze characters, themes, and other literary elements, and includes 2 or 3 critical essays about the play after the breakdown section. You can find the link under Step 2 of the drama research guide. Be sure to choose the chapter focused on the play and not the film version, both should be included in your search results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcnp8apSJ1k
***Watch the filmed performance of the play (link posted above) to fully experience the impact of the text.