Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
- Illusion vs. Reality
- Revenge
- Discovery
- Redemption
Motifs & Symbols to Look For and Discuss
- The Tempest
- Ariel and His Music
- Monsters
- The Chess Game
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Tempest. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Identify the theme(s) from The Tempest you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
- Illusion vs. Reality
- Revenge
- Discovery
- Redemption
Motifs & Symbols to Look For and Discuss
- The Tempest
- Ariel and His Music
- Monsters
- The Chess Game
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Tempest. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Identify the theme(s) from The Tempest you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about Themes, Symbols, & Motifs in The Tempest
Incorporate theme analysis into class discussions
Encourage students to share observations about themes, motifs, and symbols during class discussions. This deepens understanding and helps students connect literary elements to real-world ideas.
Use graphic organizers for theme mapping
Provide students with graphic organizers to visually map out themes, symbols, and motifs from The Tempest. This makes it easier for students to organize their thoughts and spot connections between different story elements.
Assign creative projects to illustrate key motifs
Invite students to create posters, digital collages, or storyboards that highlight a key motif or symbol. This allows students to express their understanding creatively and reinforces the importance of recurring elements in the play.
Facilitate small group theme investigations
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different theme or symbol to investigate. Have groups present their findings to the class, encouraging collaborative learning and diverse perspectives.
Connect themes to students’ experiences
Ask students to reflect on how the themes in The Tempest relate to their own lives or current events. Personal connections help students see the relevance of literature and foster deeper engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes, Symbols, & Motifs in The Tempest
What are the main themes in The Tempest by Shakespeare?
The main themes in The Tempest include illusion vs. reality, revenge, discovery, and redemption. These themes explore the play’s complex ideas about magic, forgiveness, personal growth, and the nature of truth.
How can I teach symbols and motifs in The Tempest to high school students?
Use storyboarding to help students visualize and identify key symbols and motifs like the tempest, Ariel’s music, monsters, and the chess game. Have students illustrate examples and write brief descriptions to deepen understanding.
What is an effective activity for exploring themes in The Tempest?
Assign students to create a storyboard that highlights recurring themes. Ask them to illustrate scenes and provide text evidence or short descriptions for each theme, such as redemption or illusion vs. reality.
Why is illusion vs. reality an important theme in The Tempest?
Illusion vs. reality is central to The Tempest because the play uses magic and deception to challenge what characters and the audience believe. This theme prompts students to question appearances and the nature of truth.
What are some examples of motifs and symbols in The Tempest?
Key motifs and symbols in The Tempest include the storm (tempest) itself, Ariel’s music, the chess game, and images of monsters. Each represents deeper ideas about transformation, control, and conflict.
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