Essay Topics Written to Better Accommodate an Exam Essay (also updated on the .pdf)

Senior English Final Exam Essay Prompts

1. Grace and Power: The Tempest is a play about power and grace in contradiction, in tension, in resolution, in harmony. Examine the dynamic of power and grace in The Tempest. What lesson does this interchange provide the reader?

2. Slavery: Caliban was a slave to Prospero; upon meeting Stephano, he pledges himself to a new master: “Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban,/ For aye thy foot-licker” (4.1.208-209).  Can you think of one modern example where a person, singing of freedom, really only moves from one slavery to another? Explain by tying aspects of Caliban’s slavery to your chosen type of modern slavery.  You may also use a paper Bible if you wish (consider Luke 11:24-25).  

3. Freedom: Is freedom synonymous with autonomy? Is anyone really free in the play? In the world? Use specific examples from The Tempest to illustrate your answer. You may also use the Bible (paper copy or from memory).

4. Magic: Prospero's magic was the instrument of his own fall and rise. What is our distracting "magic" today? Where have we, too, abdicated our natural and civic duties, fascinated with "magical" sparkling wonders. Where has it isolated us from our natural rights and rulership? What hope may it yet offer? Cite specific instances from Prospero’s experience that relate to your modern example.

5. The Past: A character’s attempt to recapture the past is important in many plays, novels, and poems.  Show with clear evidence from the work how the character’s view of the past (reverential? bitter? longing? something else?) is used to develop a theme in The Tempest.

6. Laughter: “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter” (George Meredith).  Choose a character or scene in The Tempest that awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.

Notes:

• Always write in terms of specific literary elements (exposition, dramatic irony, protagonist, climax, paradox, repetition, epiphany, point of view, syntax, etc.).
• Underline your thesis. (Also, underline book and play titles.)  
• Title your essay with the bold word or words introducing your prompt.
• Write only on the front of your lined pages.  Single space; write in pen.