The Tempest, act four, scene
one
summary
Prospero gives his blessing to Ferdinand and Miranda, warning Ferdinand only that
he take care not to break Miranda’s “virgin-knot” before the wedding has been
solemnized (IV.i.15–17). Ferdinand promises to comply. Prospero then calls
in Ariel and asks him to summon spirits to perform a masque for Ferdinand and
Miranda. Soon, three spirits appear in the shapes of the mythological figures of Juno
(queen of the gods), Iris (Juno’s messenger and the goddess of the rainbow), and
Ceres (goddess of agriculture). This trio performs a masque celebrating the lovers’
engagement. Prospero startles suddenly and then sends the spirits away. Prospero,
who had forgotten about Caliban’s plot against him, suddenly remembers that the
hour nearly has come for Caliban and the conspirators to make their attempt on his
life.
Prospero’s apparent anger alarms Ferdinand and Miranda, but Prospero assures the
young couple that his consternation is largely a result of his age; he says that a walk
will soothe him. Prospero makes a short speech about the masque, saying that the
world itself is as insubstantial as a play, and that human beings are “such stuff / As
dreams are made on.” Ferdinand and Miranda leave Prospero to himself, and the
old enchanter immediately summons Ariel, who seems to have made a mistake by
not reminding Prospero of Caliban’s plot before the beginning of the masque.
The Tempest, act four, scene one 1
one
summary
Prospero gives his blessing to Ferdinand and Miranda, warning Ferdinand only that
he take care not to break Miranda’s “virgin-knot” before the wedding has been
solemnized (IV.i.15–17). Ferdinand promises to comply. Prospero then calls
in Ariel and asks him to summon spirits to perform a masque for Ferdinand and
Miranda. Soon, three spirits appear in the shapes of the mythological figures of Juno
(queen of the gods), Iris (Juno’s messenger and the goddess of the rainbow), and
Ceres (goddess of agriculture). This trio performs a masque celebrating the lovers’
engagement. Prospero startles suddenly and then sends the spirits away. Prospero,
who had forgotten about Caliban’s plot against him, suddenly remembers that the
hour nearly has come for Caliban and the conspirators to make their attempt on his
life.
Prospero’s apparent anger alarms Ferdinand and Miranda, but Prospero assures the
young couple that his consternation is largely a result of his age; he says that a walk
will soothe him. Prospero makes a short speech about the masque, saying that the
world itself is as insubstantial as a play, and that human beings are “such stuff / As
dreams are made on.” Ferdinand and Miranda leave Prospero to himself, and the
old enchanter immediately summons Ariel, who seems to have made a mistake by
not reminding Prospero of Caliban’s plot before the beginning of the masque.
The Tempest, act four, scene one 1
