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\n\n\n\nThe last week has been a tough time, weather-wise, for a lot of people, in Chennai. Hope everyone’s doing better now.
And as the saying ‘Life imitates art, and art imitates life’ goes, it sparked the idea for the theme for this blog. This blog looks at GRE Preparation-Level words that have 2 meanings – 1 that’s associated with weather, and the other is an entirely different context.
The subtitle – ‘Weathering the storm’ is also a part of that theme.
Taken literally, it means getting through a patch of really bad weather. However, in a different context, it can mean getting through a really tough time in one’s life.
So, dive into the blog, for some sunny side up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week’s words are tempestuous, precipitous, frosty, whirlwind, and breezy.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\ni. tempestuous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Part of Speech<\/strong> – adjective
Definition<\/strong> –
1. characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotions.
2. very stormy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWord Origins<\/strong> – Middle English: from Old French tempeste<\/em>, from Latin tempestas <\/em>\u2018season, weather, storm\u2019, from tempus <\/em>\u2018time, season\u2019.
Synonyms<\/strong> – turbulent, blustery, volatile.
Usage<\/strong> – The prisoner\u2019s tempestuous outburst was put to a stop after he was restrained by the bailiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLive Long and Prospero<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, supposedly written in the early 1800s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the play, Prospero is the rightful Duke of Milan, washes ashore on a mysterious island with his daughter, Miranda. This is a result of Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio betraying him to seize his title and lands. Prospero learns to control magic on the island and uses it to manipulate everyone on the island to serve him. He also frees Ariel, a spirit, and promises it freedom if it helps him get his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12 years later, Prospero uses his magic to shipwreck a ship carrying Alonso, the King of Naples, and his royal party. This is because the ship also carries Antonio, who Prospero intends to teach a lesson. The royal party washes ashore the island and is split into four groups. The king’s son, Ferdinand encounters Miranda and falls in love at first sight, which is reciprocated by Miranda.
Antonio is with Sebastian, the king’s brother. Antonio encourages Sebastian to murder his brother and seize the throne for himself, not unlike his own plot against Prospero.
Prospero organizes a masque – a masquerade ball, of sorts – to celebrate the betrothal of Ferdinand and Miranda. At the banquet, attended by all characters from the royal party, a god-like voice (Ariel) accuses Antonio, Alonso, and Sebastian of their sins, and the banquet vanishes. All 3 get scared, and start running.
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Prospero puts them through a few hurdles before revealing his powers. Prospero forgives all three and raises the threat to Antonio and Sebastian that he could blackmail them, though he won’t. Prospero’s former title, Duke of Milan, is restored.
Prospero then sets Ariel free, and asks the audience for applause, which is what will set him free of the island, and let him return to Milan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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