This act includes two different murder plots. Choose the one that you think is the most important or memorable to focus on. What do the conspirators want? What motivates them to rebel? Can you understand the point of view of these rebels? Why or why not?
English 220: Introduction to Writing about Literature
Nature and the Modern World
The plan to murder Gonzalo seems more important. Antonio is trying to get his brother, Sebastian, a title of king through murdering both Gonzalo and Alonso. Antonio explains to Sebastian that in killing Gonzalo, he will be next in line to inherit the kingdom. To seal the deal in persuading Gonzalo, Alonso tells him that overtaking Prospero was a great decision that he has no regrets for. With Ferdinand presumed to be dead although not confirmed, Sebastian is still next in line nonetheless. However, Sebastian hesitates and decides not to follow through with the murder when Ariel wakes Gonzalo and warns him.
This murder plan, adds to the reader’s perceptions of both Antonio and Sebastian. Antonio is incredibly power hungry. It is obvious that he wants to gain as much power as he can and if his brother was able to obtain a throne, he is likely to believe he can get his way similar to how he betrayed Prospero. Antonio is willing to do whatever it takes to get more power no matter who’s trust he has to betray and no matter who he has to trick. Sebastian however, decided to not continue after hesitating. Either his murderous intent or will to be good can be elaborated on later in the story as either/or can contribute to his character development. Gonzalo also has a good relationship with the protagonist, Prospero, so, the plan to murder Gonzalo might also affect Prospero in some way as when he was kicked out of power, he was the only one to remain on Prospero’s side. I understand why Antonio wants Sebastian to inherit the kingdom because then, that kingdom can be Antonio’s asset. I also understand why Sebastian was so easily persuaded as he was blinded by the power that he can potentially acquire.
“It is obvious that [Antonio] wants to gain as much power as he can and if his brother was able to obtain a throne, he is likely to believe he can get his way similar to how he betrayed Prospero.”
I think that you are pointing out here that Antonio is convinced that Sebastian will be able to violently overthrow his father because Antonio has already overthrown his brother Prospero. Sebastian, however, needs to be convinced that this is a good idea. One of the ways Antonio convinces Sebastian to take part in this plan is by referring to his own experience.
I think you are quite right to point out the contrasts between Antonio and Sebastian. We can talk about this more in class.
“To seal the deal in persuading Gonzalo, Alonso tells him that overtaking Prospero was a great decision that he has no regrets for.” –> Be careful with the character names! They are mixed up here.
3 Questions:
Why does Ariel wake Gonzalo and save his life?
Does Prospero want distrust among the group of survivors?
What could Prospero do with knowledge of Antonio’s plan to kill Alonso?
I think the most memorable plot to focus on is the planned murder plot of Gonzalo. Throughout the text so far, Shakespeare makes Gonzalo seem like the kind person that he is. On top of helping Prospero and Miranda’s survival in exile, Shakespeare proves his act of kind behavior throughout Act II as well. In contrast to Alonso’s feeling of despair, Gonzalo points out the positives, claiming how they should be thankful for their survival. In addition, unlike Alonso who believes his son to be dead, Gonzalo has faith that Ferdinand is still alive (which we know as readers is true, bringing us closer as support to Gonzalo and more away from those who disbelieve it). Through these different accusations that Gonzalo makes, Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio reply only with ignorance and ridicules. This behavior also creates a sense of sympathy for Gonzalo as he is the only one treated with such an insulting behavior.
On the topic of Sebastian and Antonio, we learn that these conspirators want to only further gain more power. When Gonzalo and Alonso fall asleep, Antonio persuades Sebastian about his plan to kill Alonso as they think Ferdinand is dead and it would be impossible for Alonso’s daughter, Claribel, to be the next heir in throne. In doing so, Sebastian could become King of Naples and give Antonio even more control and power than bargained with Alonso. While it is understandable that this is a strategy to gain more power, especially in a perfect time like this when they are stranded on an island, I believe the notions that Antonio make are disagreeable to a moderate extent. While Antonio is power hungry as further demonstrated by his proposal, his notions lack a sense of moral. When Sebastian hesitates and asks Antonio about his “conscious”, he makes metaphors that demonstrate how low his perception and understanding of people have gotten. Though Alonso helped Antonio gain more power and becoming Duke of Milan, Antonio claims how if Alonso was dead, he would be “No better than the earth he lies upon”. Antonio’s power-hungry behavior has reached to such an extent that he would deceive and betray others just to get what he wants. He also makes a comment on the manipulation of others, “As for everyone else, they’ll accept whatever we say just as easily as a cat accepts milk. They’ll chime in agreement when we instruct them to, just like a clock telling time.” This shows how unjust his thinking is as his desire for power has led to a lack of morale to the extent the people around him as just mere tools to achieve his success and desires.
You make some great points here!
“Sebastian could become King of Naples and give Antonio even more control and power than bargained with Alonso.”
This is a good point. We can talk more about how Antonio stands to benefit from killing Alonso in class.
“When Sebastian hesitates and asks Antonio about his “conscious”, he makes metaphors that demonstrate how low his perception and understanding of people have gotten. Though Alonso helped Antonio gain more power and becoming Duke of Milan, Antonio claims how if Alonso was dead, he would be “No better than the earth he lies upon”.
This is an excellent example of how to incorporate quotations into an analysis. You really enhance your claim that Antonio lacks morals by citing his words.
The plan to murder Alonso is more important to focus on because his son is lost and even his daughter got married in Africa, therefore, without him there would be no one to inherit the title of king. It would be easier to gain power through Alonso. Another reason is because Gonzalo is under the protection of Ariel. Ariel is very powerful due to the fact that he is an airy spirit he has the ability to do powerful magic. The conspirators (Sebastian and Antonio) are power hungry, they want to have a part in the kingdom which is what causes them to rebel. I can understand their desire to acquire the kingdom because both of their brothers are kings and power figures so maybe they wanted to have that as well. They were probably blind-sighted by jealousy of what their brothers had and they didn’t.
“I can understand their desire to acquire the kingdom because both of their brothers are kings and power figures so maybe they wanted to have that as well. They were probably blind-sighted by jealousy of what their brothers had and they didn’t.”
This is a nice point about these men’s motivations. It is crucial that they are both younger brothers. We can talk about this during class.
“Gonzalo is under the protection of Ariel. Ariel is very powerful due to the fact that he is an airy spirit he has the ability to do powerful magic.”
This is a good point, and it relates to the discussion questions that Eve poses.
Questions:
Do you think Sebastian’s and Antonio’s attempt to kill Alonso and Gonzalo came from a place of jealousy? Why or why not?
Do you think that Ariel will tell Prospero about what he did to help Gonzalo? If so how do you think that Prospero will react?
Will Sebastian and Antonio’s plan work? Why or why not?