How to write a fantastic literature explication.

1. How to write a fantastic literature explication.

2. What is it? • Explication: a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;

3. Why learn it? • You will often be asked to write a clear and developed explication of a literary passage or quotation. In order to write a fantastic literary explication, you just have to follow a few steps.

4. 1. Identify the speaker and who they are speaking to. Prospero is the speaker of this quotation. He is speaking to his daughter, Miranda. • “This King of Naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit, which was that he, in lieu o’th’ premises of homage and I know not how much tribute, should presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom, and confer on fair Milan, with all the honours, on my brother “ (I. III)

5. 2. Discuss the context Prospero is in the midst of explaining how they became stranded on the island. His story is , in part, meant to soothe the worried Miranda. • “This King of Naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit, which was that he, in lieu o’th’ premises of homage and I know not how much tribute, should presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom, and confer on fair Milan, with all the honours, on my brother “ (I. III)

6. 3. Discuss the meaning The former Duke of Milan illuminates the treacherous, usurping nature of his brother and his cohort in the coup d'état, Alonso, King of Naples. • “This King of Naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit, which was that he, in lieu o’th’ premises of homage and I know not how much tribute, should presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom, and confer on fair Milan, with all the honours, on my brother “ (I. III)

7. 4. Discuss the significance This quote is significant because it underscores the theme of Right to Rule and, more importantly, coup d'états. This story is the first in many examples of characters revolting against others in order to gain power and control. • “This King of Naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit, which was that he, in lieu o’th’ premises of homage and I know not how much tribute, should presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom, and confer on fair Milan, with all the honours, on my brother “ (I. III)

8. So, the explication would look like this . . . • Prospero is the speaker of this quotation. He is speaking to his daughter, Miranda. Prospero is in the midst of explaining how they became stranded on the island. His story is , in part, meant to soothe the worried Miranda. The former Duke of Milan illuminates the treacherous, usurping nature of his brother and his cohort in the coup d'état, Alonso, King of Naples. This quote is significant because it underscores the theme of Right to Rule and, more importantly, coup d'états. This story is the first in many examples of characters revolting against others in order to gain power and control.

9. So, what are the four steps? • 1. Identify the speaker • 2. Discuss Context • 3. Discuss Meaning • 4. Discuss Significance?

10. Easy, write? • Next class period, you will need to choose five of 10 quotations from The Tempest and explicate them according to the method just discussed. It will count as a writing grade, so language use, conventions and development count! (It will be open-book, but no computers allowed) • Study Themes and Motifs that relate to the play in order to successfully explicate the passages!