10. Trinculo thinks Caliban is a “ridiculous monster” who would “make a wonder of a poor drunkard.” Act III, Scene 1 Study Questions1. Why does Ferdinand have a positive attitude about carrying logs? 2. How does Miranda feel about Ferdinand’s hard labor of carrying logs? 3. What does Miranda offer to do for Ferdinand? 4. How does Ferdinand respond to Miranda’s offer? 5. How does Miranda compare to other women Ferdinand has known? 6. Why does Miranda begin to cry? 7. Why does Ferdinand call himself the king? 8. Who proposes marriage in this scene? 9. What will Miranda do if Ferdinand does not want her for his wife? 10. How does Prospero feel about his daughter’s marriage to Ferdinand? Answers1. Although it is an “odious” task, Ferdinand feels he is carrying logs for Miranda which makes the job a pleasure. 2. Miranda is anxious about Ferdinand’s condition and pleads with him to sit down and rest for a while. 3. Miranda offers to carry Ferdinand’s logs for a time. 4. Ferdinand says he would rather break his back than subject Miranda to such dishonor. 5. Miranda represents all the best virtues of all the women rolled into one. 6. Miranda cries because she is so happy. 7. Ferdinand calls himself the king because he thinks his father is dead, and he is next in line as heir to the throne. 8. Miranda asks Ferdinand to marry her, and she will be his wife. 9. Miranda will be Ferdinand’s maid or servant if she cannot be his wife. 10. Prospero has designed the match, and he is happy that everything is going according to his plan.
Act III, Scene 2 Study Questions1. 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?