“The Tempest”
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary, Themes & Characters
ACT 1
The play opens with a tempestuous storm at sea, causing a ship carrying Alonso, the King of
Naples, his son Ferdinand, his brother Sebastian, and Antonio, the Duke of Milan, among
others, to wreck on an island. On the island, Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, and his
daughter Miranda watch the shipwreck from their home. Prospero reveals to Miranda that he
caused the storm with his magical powers.
Twelve years earlier, Prospero’s brother Antonio, with Alonso's help, usurped him. Prospero and
Miranda were set adrift at sea and eventually landed on this island. Prospero has used his magic
to control the island and its inhabitants, including the spirit Ariel and the monstrous Caliban.
ACT 2
The shipwrecked nobles are scattered across the island. Alonso mourns the presumed loss of
Ferdinand, while Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso and seize his throne. Ariel, invisible,
puts the conspirators to sleep, and the plot is foiled. Meanwhile, Ferdinand, separated from the
others, encounters Miranda. They quickly fall in love, much to Prospero’s satisfaction, as he had
planned this encounter. He tests Ferdinand's worthiness by making him perform menial tasks.
DLCNOTES© 2024
, ACT 3
Caliban, resentful of Prospero’s control, conspires with Trinculo and Stephano, two drunken
shipwrecked servants, to kill Prospero. Caliban believes Stephano is a god because he possesses
alcohol, which Caliban has never tasted before. They plot to murder Prospero and take control
of the island. Ariel overhears and reports the plot to Prospero.
ACT 4
Prospero approves of Ferdinand and Miranda’s union and presents a masque, a celebratory
performance involving spirits, to bless their future. The masque is interrupted when Prospero
remembers Caliban’s plot. He and Ariel set a trap for the conspirators by hanging out gaudy
clothes to distract them. When Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano take the clothes, they are
driven away by spirits in the form of hunting dogs.
ACT 5
Prospero forgives his enemies and relinquishes his magical powers. He reveals his true identity
to the shipwrecked nobles, forgives Antonio, and reconciles with Alonso. Ferdinand and
Miranda are revealed to be alive and betrothed, bringing joy to Alonso. Ariel is freed from
Prospero’s service, and Caliban is forgiven. Prospero prepares to return to Milan to reclaim his
dukedom and asks the audience for their applause to set him free from the island.
DLCNOTES© 2024
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary, Themes & Characters
ACT 1
The play opens with a tempestuous storm at sea, causing a ship carrying Alonso, the King of
Naples, his son Ferdinand, his brother Sebastian, and Antonio, the Duke of Milan, among
others, to wreck on an island. On the island, Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, and his
daughter Miranda watch the shipwreck from their home. Prospero reveals to Miranda that he
caused the storm with his magical powers.
Twelve years earlier, Prospero’s brother Antonio, with Alonso's help, usurped him. Prospero and
Miranda were set adrift at sea and eventually landed on this island. Prospero has used his magic
to control the island and its inhabitants, including the spirit Ariel and the monstrous Caliban.
ACT 2
The shipwrecked nobles are scattered across the island. Alonso mourns the presumed loss of
Ferdinand, while Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso and seize his throne. Ariel, invisible,
puts the conspirators to sleep, and the plot is foiled. Meanwhile, Ferdinand, separated from the
others, encounters Miranda. They quickly fall in love, much to Prospero’s satisfaction, as he had
planned this encounter. He tests Ferdinand's worthiness by making him perform menial tasks.
DLCNOTES© 2024
, ACT 3
Caliban, resentful of Prospero’s control, conspires with Trinculo and Stephano, two drunken
shipwrecked servants, to kill Prospero. Caliban believes Stephano is a god because he possesses
alcohol, which Caliban has never tasted before. They plot to murder Prospero and take control
of the island. Ariel overhears and reports the plot to Prospero.
ACT 4
Prospero approves of Ferdinand and Miranda’s union and presents a masque, a celebratory
performance involving spirits, to bless their future. The masque is interrupted when Prospero
remembers Caliban’s plot. He and Ariel set a trap for the conspirators by hanging out gaudy
clothes to distract them. When Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano take the clothes, they are
driven away by spirits in the form of hunting dogs.
ACT 5
Prospero forgives his enemies and relinquishes his magical powers. He reveals his true identity
to the shipwrecked nobles, forgives Antonio, and reconciles with Alonso. Ferdinand and
Miranda are revealed to be alive and betrothed, bringing joy to Alonso. Ariel is freed from
Prospero’s service, and Caliban is forgiven. Prospero prepares to return to Milan to reclaim his
dukedom and asks the audience for their applause to set him free from the island.
DLCNOTES© 2024
