The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Best Summary and Analysis | topperbhai.com

 The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 - Summary & Commentary

  Here is the line-by-line explanation of Summary, Analysis, and Commentary of  The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1.

 

 In this summary, we have described everything that happened in the Scene in very understandable language.

 

 This scene is quite lengthy and a little bit tough to remember so we have explained all the happenings of the scene in short, easy, and few liner paragraphs. 

 

This will help you remember all the events that took place in the scene and will also provide you ease in learning and understanding the summary.

 

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Tempest Act 2 Scene 1 Summary - Starts Here

 

This scene starts with a group of passengers including Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian are talking to one another in another part of the island after having been safely brought there by Ariel, a spirit controlled by Prospero. Alonso's son Ferdinand has leaped into the sea in the storm and is thought to be drowned.

Gonzalo one of the courtiers tries to sympathize with Alonso, the king of Naples, who is saddened by the supposed death of his son, Ferdinand. But Alonso desires to be left alone. Sebastian and Antonio try to lessen Alonso's sadness by roasting Gonzalo. 

Sebastian remarks that it is the King's fault for marrying off his daughter to the king of Tunis. Had he not done so, there would have been no need to undertake such a long journey. Gonzalo does not like Sebastian's remarks and so criticizes him for being insensitive to the situation.  

 

Alonso shows no interest in their conversation, but Gonzalo passes on by saying that if he were the ruler of the island, he would not allow money, commerce, learning, laws, servants, masters, farming, work, technology, or weapons to intrude into the island. 

Sebastian and Antonio make fun of his strange vision. Ariel enters the scene and makes everyone except these two sleep. Antonio provokes Sebastian to kill his brother, the king of Naples, and seize his kingdom.

 

 

Sebastian considers this idea because he thinks that as Ferdinand is drowned, and Alonso's daughter is married off to a distant place, he could easily become the king. 

He remembers that Antonio too defeated his brother and asks him if his conscience hurts him. Antonio answers that his conscience never worries him. They agree to execute their plan.

 

 They decide to take out their swords and kill Alonso and Gonzalo. In the meanwhile, Ariel awakens Gonzalo who wakes others with a shout. All get-up and see the two - Sebastian and Antonio - standing with their swords out.

Sebastian gives a poor excuse by saying that a roar in the distance made them take out their swords. The roar of the animal at the distant place scares the courtiers and forces them to move away from that spot to another part of the island in search of Alonso's son Ferdinand. 

 

 

Commentary or Analysis  - The Tempest Act 2 Scene 1:

 

In this scene, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian involve themselves in a funny and humorous conversation. Gonzalo strikes a positive note in his remarks whereas Antonio and Sebastian strike negative notes in their comments.

 

 "From their remarks, we come to know that Gonzalo is an honest and good person who looks on the bright side of things. He is happy just to be alive. Antonio is a pessimistic and dishonest man. 

 

 

He is always planning to manipulate things in his favor. He has no regard for the king. Sebastian is also a pessimist. He lacks moral strength and Antonio's initiative. Thus he is always ready to follow Antonio."

 

This scene reveals the plot produced by Antonio and Sebastian, to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. It is Antonio who starts this plot and provokes Sebastian to murder Alonso. "Sebastian likes this idea because he thinks that as Ferdinand is drowned, and Alonso's daughter is married off to a distant place, he could easily become the king."

 

He recollects that Antonio too defeated his brother and asks him if his conscience hurts him. Antonio answers that his conscience never bothers him. They agree to execute their plan but Gonzalo who wakes up at the right time foils their plot.

 

In this scene, we find the power of Prospero's magic and the failure of the plot produced by Antonio and Sebastian to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. Ariel, the airy spirit, who obeys the commands of Prospero, awakes Gonzalo who foils the plot hatched by Antonio and Sebastian. 

 

 

Thus the dangerous plot plotted by Antonio and Sebastian to kill Alonso, the king of Naples, and Gonzalo, the old courtier is foiled by Prospero through Ariel.

 

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