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The Tempest: 7. Spellbound

Prospero's enemies are in his power, but he is full of questions. Should they be punished or forgiven? Perhaps it is time to bring his plans to a close and to return home to Milan once more.

The story

Trinculo chased by the demon dogs

Prospero and Ariel return to the courtiers who are lost in the jungle. Prospero nods to Ariel and suddenly wild animals roar and crash through the trees and the courtiers are terrified. Next Prospero magics a wonderful banquet...but it disappears before the courtiers can take anything and Ariel hovers above them, telling them they are being punished for the terrible things they have done. Prospero and Ariel reappear at the cave, just in time to catch Caliban with Stephano and Trinculo and they too are punished. Prospero wonders: is it time for him to bring it all to a close...

Characters in this episode

Name Who is...
Prospero Once Duke of Milan
Ariel A sprite of the island and Prospero's helper
The courtiers Alonso (King of Naples), Antonio (Prospero's brother), Sebastian (Alonso's brother) and Gonzalo (Prospero's old friend)
Caliban Half-man, half-sea-creature
Stephano A butler with big ambitions
Trinculo A jester

In the song tutorial

Timing Content
00 00 Listening to the opening section of the song to become familiar with the style and then using one of the phrases as a vocal warm-up.
01 42 Learning the introduction, beginning: 'Ah mmm...' Splitting into two groups to sing both phrases of the introduction (words in red for one, blue for the other).
02 54 Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'I dreamed that I had found the answer...' Listening to Carrie sing a line and then repeating it with the choir.
05 40 Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'I dreamed that I'd be top banana...' Listening, then repeating. Verse 2 has the same melody as Verse 1.
07 39 Learing the link to Verse 3, beginning: 'We are such stuff...' Splitting into two groups again to sing both phrases (red and blue words).
09 37 Learning the coda as three separate parts. This time the groups will need to split into three, to sing as three separate groups. The parts have words in red (Group 2), blue (Group 1) and yellow (Group 3).
11 21 Singing 'Spellbound' all the way through.

Story questions

What things does Prospero magic to frighten the courtiers?

First wild animals and then a banquet which appears...and then disappears

What does Ariel tell the courtiers as he hovers above them?

He tells them they are being punished for the terrible things they have done

What does Prospero find when he returns to the cave?

He finds Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo stealing his books and heading off with big sticks to kill him

How does Prospero punish Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban?

Prospero sends a pack of demon dogs that chases them off into the jungle

What is Prospero's mood at the end of the episode?

Prospero is thoughtful - wondering if he should continue with his punishment or if the visitors to the island have now learnt their lesson...whether perhaps it's time to give up being a magician and 'forgive and forget'

Resources