The Tempest
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary:
The play opens with a boat caught in a fierce seastorm close to a Mediterranean island
o Aboard the boat is a number of royal figures and their servants, including King
Alonso of Naples, his brother Sebastian, the Duke of Milan Antonio, Alonso’s
son Ferdinand, and Alonso’s advisor Gonzalo
o The boat sinks and the passengers are separated
o This inititial scene introduces and explores the theme of class and class roles.
The ship’s passengers are members of the nobility, while the boatswain and
crew are considered commoners.
Meanwhile an upset Miranda and her father Prospero are watching the sinking ship
from the island. Miranda has been on the island for so long that she has never seen any
other humans
o Prospero tells her that he summoned the storm on purpose and that none of the
passengers on the ship will be harmed
As they watch the events develop, Prospero tells Miranda their story:
o 12 years ago, Prospero had been the Duke of Milan, but had become so involved
in his studies of wizardry and magic, that he asked his brother Antonio to take
over his duties for him
0 The power went to Antonio’s head and he betrayed his brother. He claimed
Prospero’s rightful dukedom for himself, forcing Prospero to leave
o Prospero escaped in a boat with only the three-year-old Miranda and his books
of magic. The loyal Gonzalo helped them.
b They arrived on the island and made it their home.
o They made the only native inhabitant – Caliban – their slave, and their only
other companion is the sprite Ariel whom Prospero rescued and enslaved
o This scene touches on the theme of colonisation
Prospero reveals that he has arranged the storm and shipwreck as revenge on those who
deprived him of his dukedom
The court members come to shore unharmed but King Alonso is very upset, believing
his son Ferdinand drowned when the ship was destroyed.
o Ferdinand, who has landed elsewhere and is perfectly fine, assumes the same
about Alonso
o Ferdinand meets Miranda and they immediately fall in love with each other
Prospero decides to test the possible value of his daughter’s future husband and captures
Ferdinand, putting him to work carrying wood for his fire.
o Explores the theme of slavery: not only in the labour into which Caliban and
Ferdinand find themselves forced, but also in the fusion of 'love’ and 'service’ .
o Miranda says that she would rather be 'enslaved’ to Ferdinand than not have
him in her life at all
At Prospero’s request, Ariel uses magic to lure the courtiers away while Antonio and
Sebastian plan to kill King Alonso
0 Their plan is stopped by Ariel who leads them all onwards seeking food and
help
0 Meanwhile the court fool Trinculo has come to shore and discovered Caliban
with whom he hides under a big coat until the storm has passed
1
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary:
The play opens with a boat caught in a fierce seastorm close to a Mediterranean island
o Aboard the boat is a number of royal figures and their servants, including King
Alonso of Naples, his brother Sebastian, the Duke of Milan Antonio, Alonso’s
son Ferdinand, and Alonso’s advisor Gonzalo
o The boat sinks and the passengers are separated
o This inititial scene introduces and explores the theme of class and class roles.
The ship’s passengers are members of the nobility, while the boatswain and
crew are considered commoners.
Meanwhile an upset Miranda and her father Prospero are watching the sinking ship
from the island. Miranda has been on the island for so long that she has never seen any
other humans
o Prospero tells her that he summoned the storm on purpose and that none of the
passengers on the ship will be harmed
As they watch the events develop, Prospero tells Miranda their story:
o 12 years ago, Prospero had been the Duke of Milan, but had become so involved
in his studies of wizardry and magic, that he asked his brother Antonio to take
over his duties for him
0 The power went to Antonio’s head and he betrayed his brother. He claimed
Prospero’s rightful dukedom for himself, forcing Prospero to leave
o Prospero escaped in a boat with only the three-year-old Miranda and his books
of magic. The loyal Gonzalo helped them.
b They arrived on the island and made it their home.
o They made the only native inhabitant – Caliban – their slave, and their only
other companion is the sprite Ariel whom Prospero rescued and enslaved
o This scene touches on the theme of colonisation
Prospero reveals that he has arranged the storm and shipwreck as revenge on those who
deprived him of his dukedom
The court members come to shore unharmed but King Alonso is very upset, believing
his son Ferdinand drowned when the ship was destroyed.
o Ferdinand, who has landed elsewhere and is perfectly fine, assumes the same
about Alonso
o Ferdinand meets Miranda and they immediately fall in love with each other
Prospero decides to test the possible value of his daughter’s future husband and captures
Ferdinand, putting him to work carrying wood for his fire.
o Explores the theme of slavery: not only in the labour into which Caliban and
Ferdinand find themselves forced, but also in the fusion of 'love’ and 'service’ .
o Miranda says that she would rather be 'enslaved’ to Ferdinand than not have
him in her life at all
At Prospero’s request, Ariel uses magic to lure the courtiers away while Antonio and
Sebastian plan to kill King Alonso
0 Their plan is stopped by Ariel who leads them all onwards seeking food and
help
0 Meanwhile the court fool Trinculo has come to shore and discovered Caliban
with whom he hides under a big coat until the storm has passed
1
