The Tempest is a romance/tragicomedy play written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1610–1611. It is regarded as the final complete play he wrote in his lifetime (The Two Noble Kinsmen and Henry VIII were co-written with John Fletcher). While it was largely ignored when it was first performed, it has since risen in popularity with many arguing it as one of Shakespeare's best. Being his "final" play, it has many parallels to the Bard's life with many viewing the protagonist, Prospero, as a metaphor for Shakespeare himself.
Plot Overview[]
Act I[]
Scene 1[]
A furious storm attacks the ship belonging to the King of Milan, Alonso. The Ship Master calls for the Boatswain to come and direct the ship through the storm. The Duke of Milan Antonio and Alonso's brother Sebastian criticize and scold the Boatswain. Gonzalo, a courtier, defends the Boatswain; acknowledging that he "hath no drowning mark upon him" and that if he "be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable". Despite their best efforts, the ship is flooded and proceeds to sink with all the mariners crying prayers. Gonzalo makes a plea to end up on dry land before the ship completely drowns.
Scene 2[]
The storm is revealed to have been caused by the Sorcerer known as Prospero, whose teenage daughter Miranda, is horrified to see what looks like him bringing the demise of the people on the ship. Prospero reveals that he has "done nothing but in care of thee" and that the people are fine due to his magic. He asks if she recalls what life was like before they came to live on the island, but she cannot remember as she was only three years old when they arrived. Prospero reveals to her that he was once the Duke of Milan, but that his "perfidious" brother Antonio convinced the king Alonso to overthrow him due to his love of books. They were forced to sea in a rickety boat, but were kindly given books and food by the courtier Gonzalo; the only person who sympathized with him.
Prospero puts Miranda to sleep and calls upon the wind spirit Ariel who was directed to attack the boat, of which he is prideful of. When Ariel demands that he be released from servitude, Prospero tells him that he only needs him for one last job, before painfully reminding him of when Sycorax, a witch and the previous inhabitant of the island, trapped Ariel in "a cloven pine" for twelve years before he released him. Sycorax a "blue eyed hag" from Algiers, came to the island while pregnant with her son Caliban, another inhabitant of the island. She died sometime prior to the current events. Prospero then orders Ariel to keep an eye on everyone and report back to him occasionally.
Prospero awakens Miranda and they go to visit Caliban who despises his masters. Caliban attempts to gain empathy by mentioning how his mother Sycorax would raise him kindly. Prospero calls him a liar before revealing that he had attempted to rape Miranda, which Caliban does not deny. He is forced to go and collect more firewood, despite his protests.
Ariel finds Ferdinand, Alonso's son, and leads him towards Prospero. Miranda and Ferdinand lock eyes and immediately fall in love with each other. Prospero is amused by this and decides to challenge Ferdinand to test his love for Miranda by accusing him of trying to usurp him. Miranda is confused by his sudden turn as Ferdinand attempts to defend himself. Prospero forces him into servitude which he agrees to so that he can be close to Miranda.
Act II[]
Scene 1[]
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo and two other lords, Francisco and Adrian, are traversing the island trying to find any kind of life, or way off. Alonso's court was returning from the wedding of his daughter Claribel who was getting married to "an Afric". While Adrian and Gonzalo try to alert Alonso to the unusual nature of the island, Sebastian and Antonio cynically mock him. Francisco tries to comfort Alonso by telling him that he saw Ferdinand survive the sinking ship, but Alonso sadly doubts it. Gonzalo angrily shoots back at Antonio and Sebastian for their lack of care towards Alonso's well being and their effortless attempt to help.
Ariel appears invisibly to the group and casts a spell that puts everyone, except Antonio and Sebastian, to sleep. While confused by the inconsistency, they proceed to converse on the idea of Alonso and his court suddenly dying; leaving them to take over. It becomes apparent that Antonio had manipulated Alonso to get rid of Prospero as a way to rise up in the ranks. Antonio convinces Sebastian to assassinate Alonso, but Ariel awakens them in time. Antonio and Sebastian cover by claiming that they heard a beast and the whole group raise their guard.
Scene 2[]
Caliban is collecting fire wood and cursing Prospero when he sees Alonso's jester Trinculo wandering about. Believing that he is a spirit sent by Prospero, Caliban hides underneath his cloak. Trinculo, believing that Caliban is some kind of strange fish, hides under the cloak with him to hide from a storm. Alonso's drunken butler, Stephano, arrives and believes he has encountered a two headed beast, only to learn that it is Trinculo, whom he is happy to see, and feeds Caliban his liquor. Caliban believes that they are from the moon and the two claim so before acquiring him as their servant, despite Trinculo being reluctant to do so.
Act III[]
Scene 1[]
Ferdinand is performing tasks for Prospero with the thought of Miranda motivating him. Miranda arrives asking to help him, but he kindly refuses. the two of them converse with one another before they admit their love for one another. Prospero kindly watches from afar; approving of their union. Ferdinand promises to meet with Miranda once he is done with his chores.
Scene 2[]
Caliban continues to drink from Stephano's bottle; leaving Trinculo feeling neglected as he still does not trust the monster. Caliban tells a sob story about working under Prospero. Ariel, who is watching nearby, shouts at Caliban, though he and Stephano think that Trinculo is the one doing so. This culminates in Stephano striking Trinculo out of spite. Caliban asks that the two help with killing Prospero; telling Stephano that he can have his daughter Miranda as his bride. Stephano agrees, apologizes to Trinculo and the two are surprised by the strange island noises. Caliban assures them that the noises are simply the wonders of the island before leading them away.
Scene 3[]
Alonso's court continue to wander the island. Prospero watches from afar as he sends "shapes" to come and leave a banquet. The group is shocked by the sight and unsure of what to make of it. Hungry and tired, Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio approach the banquet, only for Ariel to appear "like a harpy" and shock the group. He chastises the three's greed for betraying the kind Prospero. As he disappears, so does the banquet. Alonso, Sebastian and Antonio leave feeling traumatized and guilty while Gonzalo, Francisco and Adrian follow quietly behind.
Act IV[]
Prospero brings Ferdinand and Miranda together to tell the former that he was testing him and approves of their union. To show no ill will, he calls upon the three goddesses Iris, Ceres and Juno who proceed to create a dazzling performance and song with the spirits of the island. Prospero comes to the realization that he has forgotten about Caliban's plot and forcibly sends the spirits away. He assures the two lovers that he simply had important matters to attend to as "our revels now have ended". He converses with Ariel to prepare for Caliban's arrival.
Caliban, Sebastian and Trinculo finally arrive, exhausted and tired, but committed to killing Prospero. Ariel leaves behind some high quality garments which is enough to distract Sebastian and Trinculo from their mission; leaving Caliban highly flummoxed and unable to break through to the two idiots. Prospero and Ariel then call upon spirits who resemble dogs who scare the three intruders away from the cave. Prospero plans to eventually bring them back.
Act V[]
Prospero speaks with Ariel; promising to release him after one final task. Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Francisco and Adrian are lead to a circle as Prospero uses a spell to allow them to see him. Alonso is filled with remorse and embraces Prospero while Gonzalo is happy to see his old friend again. Prospero ousts Antonio and Sebastian's treachery, but forgives them nonetheless. He then leads the group to Ferdinand and Miranda, the latter surprised at the abundance of people, while Alonso is happy to see that his son is alive. Prospero also reveals that the boat and all the crew are still alive, who are also perplexed about their sudden arrival. To tie up loose ends, Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano return; ashamed of their actions and humiliated. Prospero gives Caliban one final order to get things prepared for everyone. A final night on the island will be hosted before everyone returns home. Prospero finally frees Ariel from servitude before addressing the audience by asking to be set free with their applause.
Characters[]
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