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  1. Prospero: Main character and the rightful Duke of Milan. Prospero is the main character in The Tempest. He is the Duke of Milan who was overthrown by his brother Antonio fifteen years before the beginning of the play and cast adrift in a boat with his baby daughter, Miranda. During those fifteen yeaRead more

    1. Prospero: Main character and the rightful Duke of Milan. Prospero is the main character in The Tempest. He is the Duke of Milan who was overthrown by his brother Antonio fifteen years before the beginning of the play and cast adrift in a boat with his baby daughter, Miranda. During those fifteen years, he studied and taught himself how to do magic.
    2. Miranda: Daughter of Prospero. Another main characters of The Tempest. She was banished to the Island along with her father at the age of three, and in the subsequent twelve years has lived with her father and their slave, Caliban, as her only company. 
    3. Sycorax: A vicious powerful witch and the mother of Caliban. An unseen character in The Tempest. One of the few native inhabitants of the island who died before the arrival of Prospero is the island.
    4. Ariel: A spirit in service to Prospero. Ariel is bound to serve Prospero as he rescued him from the tree in which he was imprisoned by Sycorax.
    5. Caliban: A servant of Prospero and a savage monster. Half-human, half-monster who is forced into slavery and son of the witch Sycorax.
    6. Antonio: Prospero’s brother, the usurping Duke of Milan. The main villain of the play. He dethroned his brother with the help of King of Naples.
    7. Gonzalo: An honest old councilor. An honest and trusted adviser who helps Prospero when abandoned by the king and his brother.
    8. King Of Naples: An enemy of Prospero. Neither a good guy nor a bad guy.
    9. Ferdinand: The prince of Naples and the son of Alonso. A humble, kind, and naive guy who spends most of his time during The Tempest trying to win the affection of Miranda.

    The Tempest Short Summary in English

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The poem describes a place that was once laden with trees but now it is barren because of deforestation. The poet memorises the bank of the Ouse River where during his childhood he played a lot. The poet talks about deforestation from the Ouse River’s bank that has led to the loss of the greenery anRead more

    The poem describes a place that was once laden with trees but now it is barren because of deforestation. The poet memorises the bank of the Ouse River where during his childhood he played a lot.

    The poet talks about deforestation from the Ouse River’s bank that has led to the loss of the greenery and the mesmerising tone of the trees. In addition, it has destroyed the blackbirds’ shelter that would fill the air with their sweet songs.

    He regrets the fact that having no nest they are lying on the ground. The poet memorises there was a time when they used to live on the branches. A number of blackbirds have migrated to other places because deforestation has made them homeless.

    Likewise flourishing songs that charmed the poet and their chirping are no more. The poet mourns the fact that the joys of living near the trees at Ouse River’s bank. He states that man’s joys aren’t eternal and everlasting. They are shorter even than life.

    Before a man dies, they fade away. The poet says he used to get pleasure not from the materialistic things but by the trees but his only pleasure was snatched away from him. The poem contrasts the lifespan of life and trees. Trees grow up, have, leaves, etc., and give shades to the people; and finally, they are cut down.

    According to the poet, as we grow older, we lose the sense of joy. As there is no guarantee of life, we should enjoy every moment. We can’t take these moments with us. Enjoyments and our pleasures perish before our death.

    The poet offers the readers suggestion to save and protect the trees. He warns us that if the forests that are green are not protected by us we will die before age. We’re nature’s products, and we must surrender ourselves to it, one day.

    The poet has contrasted life and the tree and stated our lives are more perishable than the trees. So the character should be defended by us. It reveals the poet’s love towards nature in life, which depicts nostalgic and rural tone. The poet suggests keeping balance. Deforestation is a challenge to the world. Through this poem, he wishes to give the message it is bad to chop trees down.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The Orphan Girl by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio is about a young girl who loses her parents in early age and now she has to face challenges in every step of her life. As a child, she is still immature and does not know the harshness and cruelty of the world. The poet shows fear and uncertainity aboutRead more

    The Orphan Girl by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio is about a young girl who loses her parents in early age and now she has to face challenges in every step of her life. As a child, she is still immature and does not know the harshness and cruelty of the world.

    The poet shows fear and uncertainity about the future of that young girl. According to him, the girl has no friends and relative who would take care of her. And being an oprhan in India is no less than a crime. She will be scolded, bullied and assaulted by the people.

    Her innocence and goodness will yeild no reward. The world is so cruel that it will not leave her until she dies. The poem thus gives in insight into the condition of young people (especially girls) who lose their parents and the wives who lose their husbands.

    Read the summary of this poem here.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Myth means an old traditional tale or story which usually has supernatural activities and events. A myth is scientifically wrong as it is mostly without any solid proof. However a myth can be true as well. e.g. we may have heard myth of advanced technology during the Harappan Civilisation. Now it haRead more

    Myth means an old traditional tale or story which usually has supernatural activities and events. A myth is scientifically wrong as it is mostly without any solid proof.

    However a myth can be true as well. e.g. we may have heard myth of advanced technology during the Harappan Civilisation. Now it has been scientifically proved that Harappans were quite advanced in science and technology. Similarly, we have heard about the Great Flood in ancient times in Bible and Qur’an. Science also believes that long ago earth was flooded with water.

    A myth in modern times is known as image building which is used by the leaders to describe themselves as super-beings or chosen one. One example is that of Kim Jong-Il of North Korea who considers himself to be God and makes other to believe so.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    In simple words, Morals are the lessons which are derived, learnt and taught from expriences stories, tales, biogrpahies, incidents and events. As lessons they are passed on by more experienced people to less experienced ones. However when someone does against these lessons and advices, it becomes mRead more

    In simple words, Morals are the lessons which are derived, learnt and taught from expriences stories, tales, biogrpahies, incidents and events. As lessons they are passed on by more experienced people to less experienced ones.

    However when someone does against these lessons and advices, it becomes morally wrong. e.g. a child is taught to always speak the truth. When he lies in spite of being advised, it is considered to be morally wrong.

    Morality and its application differs from nation to nation, community to community and from person to person. e.g. eating non-vegetarian is acceptable in ample of communities but in some communities it is strictly forbidden and thus morally wrong.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Confessional Poetry is a genre of Poetry which focuses on the person himself/herself. In other words, it is a poem which is about ‘I’. In Confessional Poetry, the poet describes himself, his good and bad experiences, his physche, the truama which he has suffered and undergone and the way he lives orRead more

    Confessional Poetry is a genre of Poetry which focuses on the person himself/herself. In other words, it is a poem which is about ‘I’. In Confessional Poetry, the poet describes himself, his good and bad experiences, his physche, the truama which he has suffered and undergone and the way he lives or sees the world and the people around.

    The topics of a confessional poetry may range from his childhood experiences to his illness, sexuality and the desire for suicide. Confessional Poetry emerged in United States during 1950s.

    In India Kamala Das is considered to be the poineer of Confessional Poetry. Her poems like An IntroductionThe Looking GlassWordsThe Old Playhouse etc are all confessional poems in which she describes her painful experiences as a woman and as also as a suppressed wife

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Lamb’s essays exhibit infinite selection. His essays satisfy the appetite of every flavour. In his experiments Lamb reveals himself. His essays give a glimpse into his life and thought. The essay ‘Dream Children‘ is noted for its description. It’s a reverie. The reason behind the creation of this esRead more

    Lamb’s essays exhibit infinite selection. His essays satisfy the appetite of every flavour. In his experiments Lamb reveals himself. His essays give a glimpse into his life and thought. The essay ‘Dream Children‘ is noted for its description. It’s a reverie.

    The reason behind the creation of this essay is his brother John’s death. It unveils the writer’s soul. It’s full of pathos.’ A Bachelor’s Complaint‘ is also an autobiographical and humorous essay. This Lamb describes various oddities of the couples that are married.

    His style is an expression of his humour. His essays are marked with all colors of humor and delicate irony. Absurd details, puns, situations that are funny and laughter usually occur in his experiments.

    There are even harmless strokes of fun at him and at others. The element of humour is balanced with a vein of reflectiveness and a tinge of sadness. Pathos is an component of his humour. It’s a consciousness of this pathetic laugh. In short, Lamb’s humour is a blend of tears and jest .’ The Dream Children’ is remarkable for its blend of humour and pathos.

    Lamb’s essays are autobiographical and personal. They reflect his nobility, his character, his soul, his geniality and his charity. Lamb talks about friends, his relatives and acquaintances. But he is silent about the murder of his mother for the sake of his sister.

    It was she who killed Lamb’s mother. He often changes the name of his connections and mystifies the character. Such deviations do not change the reality. He’s friendly and intimate . He takes the readers into his confidence in affairs. He tells us about his boyhood his youth and his manhood.

    Lamb never gives the impression of being proud or vain, Although the essays are autobiographical. he is the egoist with no touch of egotism. Lamb’s style is the expression of his personality. His essays have the charm of poetry.

    Epigrammatic depth, ease , emotional flexibility allusiveness all mark the essays of Elia. Lamb’s style is natural and original. He is remarkably affected by the writers like Burton Brown and Fuller. He used Latinised words. Allusiveness is a marked feature of his style. Lamb makes regular use of irony and pun.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The poem Freedom by Jayanta Mahapatra is a critique of celebration of Freedom and Independence in India. The poet gives various examples to reveal how we are still slaves. According to him country’s body floats down somewhere on the river i.e. she dying because her people have not enough resources tRead more

    The poem Freedom by Jayanta Mahapatra is a critique of celebration of Freedom and Independence in India. The poet gives various examples to reveal how we are still slaves. According to him country’s body floats down somewhere on the river i.e. she dying because her people have not enough resources to live life.

    The old generation is praying to leave the world while the young generation is praying for freedom so that they may be able to do something.

    Some people are so poor that they cannot arrange food for one time a day. The politicans are still ruling life the British. Godmen are no better than them. They have enslaved Gods and themselves leading free life.

    Thus the poet questions why we celebrate freedom though we are slaves even 50 years after the independence.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    There are mainly 6 elements of drama. They include: Theme: It refers to the idea which the dramatist wants to convey to the people. Plot: It refers to major events that take place in the drama which are in interrelated sequence. Characterization: It refers to nature and features of the characters thRead more

    There are mainly 6 elements of drama. They include:

    Theme: It refers to the idea which the dramatist wants to convey to the people.

    Plot: It refers to major events that take place in the drama which are in interrelated sequence.

    Characterization: It refers to nature and features of the characters that play role in the play.

    Setting: It refers to the time and location in the play. e.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream in set in Forest and the time is mostly the day.

    Language: It refers to what and how the actor expresses his ideas. It can be in simple form or poetic form.

    Music: It helps in revealing the inner emotions of a character. e.g. sad music is played in background when a character is sorrowful.

    Read more about the elements of drama.

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