RSC Learning Network teacher Jude Graham uses drama strategies to compare the character of Prospero in the two key scenes of the Tempest. She starts with a game of wink murder in which the students 'die' reciting some of Prospero's lines. Focussing on the opening of Act 5, scene 1, students collectively read out the text using the rhythm of the iambic pentameter. By pinpointing areas of the text where the rhythm breaks down, the class are able to identify the exact moment where Prospero undergoes a change of heart. Experimenting with how he delivers the line, students are encouraged to see how and why this change might happen. The motives behind his decision are further examined through improvisation. In groups of three, students take on the role of either good angel or bad angel to represent the conflict in Prospero's conscience. To understand how the play could either be interpreted by a director or an audience, the class play different characters to tell the story of the Tempest.

Video Series: KS3 English
Release Date 2006