Tempest teacher's notes

These Teachers' Notes are designed to accompany the unique version of Shakespeare's The Tempest which will be presented as part of USQ's Shakespeare in the Park Festival at Queens Park (Toowoomba), Seafront Oval (Hervey Bay) and at the Education City Mini Oval, USQ Campus (Springfield) in 2009.

Rather than an overview of the written text, the Notes will apply strictly to this performance text, however a range of links to sites have been provided, each with ample information on the text itself and background information of the playwright and times.

The aim of the Notes is to complement the performance you will see in the park; exploring its distinctive features giving further insight into the play itself. They have been especially designed to be accessible to youth, with activities and information aimed to peak the interest of our valued student audience.

Please delve in and take from them whatever information appeals and we hope these Notes further enhance your enjoyment of our show.

• Cast list
• Synopsis of play
• Style of the play
  • Genre
    • Tragedy
    • Romance
    • Comedy
  • Neoclassicism
    • The three unities
    • Verisimilitude
    • Decorum
• Colonialism
  • Demonising
  • Fear of miscegenation
  • Appropriation
  • The colonised: Why aren't they grateful?
• Pretty monsters
• Playlists
• Links and resources
  

This set of Teachers' Notes has been developed by Dramaturg, Lauren Sherritt in consultation with Dr Janet McDonald – Head, USQ School of Creative Arts.