THE TEMPEST By William Shakespeare

 THE TEMPEST 

By William Shakespeare

 THE TEMPEST By William Shakespeare

Play Summary

The Tempest opens in the midst of a storm, as a ship carrying the King of Naples and his party struggles to stay afloat. On land, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, watch as the storm engulfs the ship. Prospero created the storm with magic and explains that his enemies are on board the ship.

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The story that Prospero tells is that he is the rightful Duke of Milan and his younger brother, Antonio, betrayed him, taking his title and possessions from him. Twelve years earlier, Prospero and Miranda had set sail on little more than a raft. Miraculously, they both survived and made it safely to this island, where Prospero learned to control the magic that he now uses to manipulate everyone on the island. Upon arrival, Prospero rescued a pixie, Ariel, who had been imprisoned by the witch Sycorax. Ariel wishes to be free and was promised his freedom in two days. The last inhabitant of the island is the son of Sycorax and the devil: Caliban, whom Prospero enslaved. Caliban is a natural and uncivilized man who just wants to get the island back from him so he can live alone in peace.

Soon the royal group from the ship is thrown ashore and separated into three groups. The king's son, Fernando, is taken to Próspero, where he sees Miranda, and the two fall instantly in love. Meanwhile, Alonso, the King of Naples, and the rest of his party have landed in another part of the island. Alonso fears that Ferdinand is dead and mourns the loss of his son. Antony, Prospero's younger brother, was also stranded along with the king's younger brother, Sebastian. Antonio easily convinces Sebastian that Sebastian should kill his brother and take the throne for himself. This plot to assassinate Alonso is similar to Antonio's plot against his own brother, Próspero, 12 years earlier.

Another part of the royal party, the court jester and the butler, also disembarked. Trinculo and Stefano run into Caliban, and immediately see a way to make money by displaying Caliban as a monster recovered from this uninhabited island. Stefano landed on a wine barrel, and soon Caliban, Trinculo, and Stefano are drunk. While drinking, Caliban hatches a plot to assassinate Prospero and recruits his two new acquaintances as accomplices. However, Ariel overhears and informs Prospero of the plot.

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Meanwhile, Prospero kept Ferdinand busy and forbade Miranda to speak to him, but the two still find time to meet and declare their love for each other, which is actually what Prospero planned. Next, Prospero organizes a masquerade to celebrate the young couple's engagement, with goddesses and nymphs entertaining the couple with song and dance.

While Fernando and Miranda celebrated their love, Alonso and the rest of the royal entourage were looking for the king's son. Exhausted by the search and the king desperate to see his son alive, Prospero has ghosts and an imaginary banquet brought before the king's feast. A divine voice accuses Antonio, Alonso and Sebastián of their sins and the banquet disappears. The men are all scared and Alonso, Antonio and Sebastián run away.

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Prospero punishes Caliban, Trinculo, and Stefano by running through heather and swimming in a foamy pond. Having accomplished what he intended to do, Prospero summons the king's party. Prospero is dressed as the rightful Duke of Milan, and when the spell is removed, Alonso rejects all claims to Prospero's dukedom and apologizes for his mistakes. Within moments, Prospero reunites the king with his son, Ferdinand. Alonso is particularly happy to learn of Miranda's existence and that Ferdinand is going to marry her.

Prospero then turns to his brother Antonio, who offers no regrets or excuses for his betrayal. However, Prospero promises not to punish Antony as a traitor. When he brings Caliban to him, Caliban tells Prospero that he has learned his lesson. His two accomplices, Trinculo and Stefano, will be punished by the king. Soon the whole group retires to Prospero's cell to celebrate and await his return home. Only Prospero remains on stage.

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In a final speech, Prospero tells the audience that only with his applause can he leave the island with the rest of the group. Prospero leaves the stage to the applause of the audience.

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