Act 1: Scene 1 (PCCQ)

List of Characters: Master Boatswain Antonio Gonzalo Sebastian Mariners Alonso

TO NOTE:Page 4 - 6http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/page_2.html 

Basically...The crew is in the middle of a tempest.  While the MARINERS and BOATSWAIN are attempting to make sense of the situation, ANTONIO, SEBASTIAN and GONZALO continually encumbers with their actions.  This makes BOATSWAIN upset, and builds a negative relationship with ANTONIO and SEBASTIAN.  Finally, GONZALO provides a somber yet hopeful prayer that he would "fain die a dry death." (aka want to die in a dry area instead of drowning.)

Age of Discovery:Explanation:During the time of the first recorded production, the Westerners are still undergoing the age of discovery.  For example, Henry Hudson went on another sea voyage shortly before the first recorded performance night (1610.)Application to Tempest:The use of ships here is arguably inspired by these recent voyages during Shakespearean time.

"What cares these roarers for the name of king?"- Boatswain (16 - 17)What it means:Do you think these waves care anything about kings and officials? (Spark Notes)Analysis:Bluntly stating that the tempest does not take authoritative status into account (i.e. Nature is FAIR and does not discriminate those of "lower status."  Therefore, implying that the kings and officials are foolish to think they are superior at the time of chaos (i.e. the tempest))

Shakespeare's Official Character List: ALONSO: King of Naples SEBASTIAN, his brother ANTONIO, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan GONZALO, an honest old councillor MASTER of a ship BOATSWAIN MARINERS

Alonso: Hopeless Cowardly Lacks authority during desperate times Quotes:"Where's the Master? Play the men!" (9-10) [4]

Antonio: Cowardly Spiteful Power-Obsessive Obnoxious Quotes: (To Boatswain) "Hang, cur, hang...We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art." (40 - 41) [5] (To Boatswain) "This wide-chopped rascal - would though mightst lie drowning the washing of ten tides!" (52 - 53) [6]

Sebastian: Unlikable Spiteful Obnoxious Impatient Quotes: (To Boatswain) "A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous incharitable dog!" (37 - 38) [5] "I'm out of patience" (50) [6]

Boatswain: Hot tempered Authoritative Of lower class Criminal-like (described by Gonzalo) Quotes: (To councillors and King) "To cabin!  Silence! Trouble us not." (16 - 17) [4] (To Sebastian) "Work you, then." (39) [5]

Gonzalo: Optimistic Wise Of higher class Quotes:

Gonzalo: Wise Old Optimistic Quotes: "I have great comfort from this fellow.  Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him..." (26 - 28) [5]

Age of MonarchyExplanation:During this time, the status of kings and officials are still ranked extremely high compared to other people.Application to Tempest:In this scene, you see an ironic role reversal between Boatswain and the councillors.  The Boatswain often bickered with Antonio and Sebastian, despite the class difference.  He even claims that the storm will not discriminate against power difference, showing his disapproval to such thoughts.

Plotline Summary

Characterization

Important Context

Quotes