Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts. Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Prospero entrusted his brother Antonio with his Dukedom duties because he wanted to spend his time on other things that interested him more. Antonio seized the opportunity to take Prospero’s place by forming an alliance with Alonso, the King of Naples, and exiled Prospero for 12 years. Prospero vows revenge.
Alonso believes his son Ferdinand is dead, and his daughter has just been married to the King of Tunis, very far away. He is deep in grief over losing both of his children, and Sebastian chides him for making the decision to marry Claribel off in the first place, sending Alonso further into guilt and despair.
The tempest itself becomes its own force, spurred on by Ariel, that none of the sailors or men can handle. The boat catches fire and splits up in the sea, sending all of the men plunging into the raging waters.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in The Tempest.
Boost student engagement by weaving quick literary conflict discussions into your daily agenda. Consistent exposure helps students recognize conflict types across texts and encourages deeper analysis throughout the year.
Ask students to recall a conflict from a recent reading or personal experience. Encourage sharing to spark interest and activate prior knowledge about conflict types.
Share a brief passage from any text and have students name the conflict type and justify their choice. Repetition builds confidence and sharpens their analytical skills.
Have students turn to a neighbor to discuss how a character might resolve a conflict. Collaboration encourages new perspectives and critical thinking.
Maintain a visible chart tracking different conflicts identified in various texts. Recognize student contributions to inspire ongoing participation and build a culture of close reading.
The Tempest features several key types of literary conflict: Man vs. Man (e.g., Prospero vs. Antonio), Man vs. Self (e.g., Alonso's internal grief and guilt), and Man vs. Nature (e.g., the shipwreck caused by the tempest). Each conflict shapes the characters' actions and the story's progression.
Have students create a storyboard where they illustrate at least three forms of literary conflict from The Tempest. Each cell should depict a scene representing a conflict type, include relevant characters, and offer a short description explaining how the scene fits a specific conflict category.
An example of Man vs. Man conflict in The Tempest is the betrayal of Prospero by his brother Antonio, who conspires with Alonso to seize Prospero's dukedom and exile him. This sets the stage for Prospero's quest for revenge.
Understanding literary conflict helps students analyze characters' motivations, plot development, and themes in The Tempest. It deepens comprehension and encourages critical thinking about how conflicts drive stories forward.
Effective storyboard activities include having students visually represent different conflict types, write brief explanations for each scene, and categorize them (e.g., Character vs. Self, Character vs. Nature). This promotes active engagement and analytical skills.