The Tempest: 2. Set me free
Prospero has some explaining to do! Miranda wants to know why he's almost killed the passengers of a passing ship. Meanwhile Ariel is feeling moody - yearning for the day, long promised, when Prospero will set him free.
The story
Prospero has some explaining to do! Miranda wants to know why he’s almost killed the passengers of the passing ship. So Prospero fills her in... It turns out he's not just a wizard but was once also Duke of Milan. But he was overthrown by his brother, Antonio, and Prospero and Miranda were set adrift in a leaky rowing boat...but at the last minute Prospero was given his science books by his faithful friend, Gonzalo. Ariel enters to let Prospero know everyone from the ship has landed ashore, in keeping with Prospero's plan. Ariel yearns for the day when Prospero will set him free.
Characters in this episode
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Prospero | Once Duke of Milan |
| Miranda | Daughter of Prospero |
| Antonio | Prospero's brother - the usurper |
| Gonzalo | An old, faithful friend to Prospero |
| Ariel | A sprite of the island and Prospero's helper |
| Alonso | King of Naples and father of Ferdinand |
| Ferdinand | Son of Alonso, believed drowned |
| Sebastian | Brother of Alonso and friend of Antonio |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Listening to Verse 1 and the raps - the opening section of the song. |
| 01 20 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'In the shade of the lemon tree...' Listening to Carrie singing a line and then repeating it with the choir. At 03 15 singing the verse right through. |
| 03 41 | Learning the chorus, beginning 'Ooooooooo set me free...' Then splitting in to two groups to learn the chorus with the lower part harmony and then putting both parts together. |
| 06 48 | Learning Verse 2 (and chorus), beginning: 'I hear the song of the mocking bird...' Listening to Carrie and then repeating with the choir. At 07 45 singing the verse right through. |
| 08 33 | Learning the two mini raps, beginning: 'The monkeys and the parakeets...' |
| 10 15 | Singing 'Set me free' all the way through. |
Story questions
Why is Miranda upset with her father Prospero?
He appears to be causing a shipwreck where the passengers are jumping overboard
How did Prospero and Miranda come to live on the island?
Prospero was once the Duke of Milan. When Miranda was only three years old Prospero's brother, Antonio, borrowed an army (from Alonso, King of Naples) and used it to overthrow Prospero. He and Miranda were put afloat in a leaky rowing boat and meant to die.
How has Prospero come to be a wizard or magician?
When Prospero and Miranda were put afloat in the rowing boat Prospero's faithful friend, Gonzalo, threw his science books to him and it is these books that Prospero has been studying for the last 12 years which have given him his magic skills
What does Ariel tell Prospero he has done?
He has arranged for the ship to be hidden and the crew put to sleep. Then he has made sure the relevant passengers have been safely landed on the island in separate groups
What does Ariel want from Prospero?
His freedom. When Prospero first came to the island he found Ariel trapped within a tree and released him. Since then Ariel has been made to do Prospero's bidding, with the promise that he will be set free again as soon as Prospero's plan is complete
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all the content (pdf)
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Lyrics - Set me free
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Set me free
Download / print the music (pdf)
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Pupil's pamphlet
Lyric sheets and activities (pdf)
