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The Tempest Play
The Tempest begins with a huge storm battering
a ship carrying Alonso, the King of Naples, Sebastian,
(Alonso's brother), Ferdinand (Alonso's son), Antonio,
Gonzalo and others. On an island near the storm, Prospero
and his daughter Miranda are introduced. We learn that
Prospero has created the storm... Miranda asks Prospero
to stop the storm. Prospero, once the Duke of Milan,
was banished to this island with Miranda by Antonio,
Prospero's brother who usurped him. Ariel, Prospero's
magic fairy tells us that the men aboard the ship have
all made it ashore unharmed as planned. Caliban, a misformed
beast is introduced.
Ariel leads Ferdinand to the very beautiful Miranda
and the two immediately fall in love... Prospero decides
to be rude to Ferdinand, fearful of too rapid a courtship
between Ferdinand and his daughter. The rest of the
shipwreck survivors wake up, being surprised to discover
their clothes smelling and feeling as fresh as if they
had just been bought at a market... Ariel's song puts
them all to sleep again except for Sebastian and Antonio.
Antonio who replaced his brother Prospero as Duke of
Milan manipulates Sebastian, King Alonso's brother into
doing the same thing by killing King Alonso. The two
are about to kill Alonso in his sleep but Ariel awakens
everyone and the two men quickly make excuses for drawing
their swords out. Trinculo, a jester, discovers Caliban,
quickly realising that the beast would earn a fortune
for him as a novelty in England. Stephano, Trinculo's
friend, gives Caliban alcohol, causing Caliban to think
Stephano is more powerful than Prospero whom Caliban
hates. The three men set off together to kill Prospero...
Prospero, now invisible, watches Ferdinand and Miranda
expressing their deep love for one another in words
that rival Romeo and Juliet in their tenderness.
Ferdinand, realising he is witnessing a truly rare meeting
of hearts, approves of Ferdinand for his daughter. Ferdinand
decides to marry Miranda. Bottle in hand, Stephano,
Trinculo and Caliban continue on their merry way, Stephano
getting delusions of grandeur from Caliban blindly following
him. Caliban suggests several gruesome ways of killing
Prospero. Ariel lures the group away with music... Alonso,
Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco and
others witness a banquet on the island but it is an
illusion... Ariel returns and scolds Alonso, Antonio
and Sebastian for their roles in exiling Prospero...
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he will no longer punish
him, instead offering his daughter's hand in marriage
to him. Prospero conjures up a mythical, illusory party
to celebrate, complete with goddesses and nymphs. Prospero
instructs Ariel to bring the shipwrecked men before
him.
Remembering Stephano, Caliban and Trinculo, Prospero
has Ariel distract them with clothes, Caliban failing
to keep his friends focused on killing Prospero. Prospero
brings everyone except Stephano, Caliban and Trinculo
before him in a circle. Spellbound, he scolds the men
who exiled him. Prospero tells Ariel that he will soon
be free and that he will miss him. Prospero also intends
to destroy his ability to use magic. Making his presence
known, Prospero forgives King Alonso and tells Sebastian
and Antonio he will keep secret their plan to kill Alonso,
forgiving both. The famously sweet scene of Ferdinand
playing chess with Miranda occurs. King Alonso is overjoyed
to see Ferdinand and soon learns of Ferdinand's imminent
marriage to Miranda. Prospero forgives Stephano and
Trinculo. Caliban is embarrassed that he followed a
fool (Trinculo), Caliban being given his freedom. Prospero
announces that in the morning they will all set sail
for Naples. Ariel is set free. Finally, Prospero
asks the audience to free him to travel back to Naples
reclaiming his life as the Duke of Milan.
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act IV
Scene I
Act V
Scene I
Epilogue
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