The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Summary: The Tempest by William Shakespeare is a mixture of drama, comedy and romance taken to be a mirror of the depth of the human characterture in the form of Shakespeare's autobiographical container, Prospero.

Characters (Dramatis Personae):

Prospero - The rightful Duke of Milan

Alonso, King of Naples - Planned to overthrow Prospero

Sebastian - Alonso's brother

Antonio - Was able to steal the dukedom of Milan from his brother

Miranda - Prospero's daughter

Ferdinand - Alonso's son

Ariel - Spirit of the island

Gonzolo - The honest councilor to the King

Adrian and Francisco - Noblemen

Caliban - Prospero's only subject and native of The Island

Trinculo - Alonso's drunken fool

Stephano - Trinculo's friend, Alonso's butler

Master of a Ship, Mariners - Try to get the ship to sail through the storm in the beginning and brings back the party in the end

Boatswain - Ship Master's right hand, argues with Alonso

Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs, Reaper - presented by spirits

Act I:

On a Ship at Sea. A tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard and shipmaster and Boatswain try to keep the ship from wrecking
The boatswain is irritated by Alonso, Sebastian, Ferdinand, Antonio, Gonzalo when they go on deck
Antonio, Gonzalo and Sebastian bid their lives good-bye
The Boatswain: "What cares these roarers for the name of king?"
Introduced to Ariel who says that all have made it ashore according to plan
Prospero had created the tempest that was battling the ship and people there upon
Miranda says,"If by your art, my dearest father, you have / Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them"; this is to tell him to stop the tempest
Prospero was once the Duke of Milan but was banished to this island with Miranda by Antonio, his brother who took over Prospero's dukedom of Milan
An introduction to Ariel, Prospero's magic fairy who tells about the men onboard the ship have all made it ashore unharmed as planned
Caliban, a misformed beast is also introduced.
Aerial leads Ferdinand to Miranda and the two immediately fall in love
Prospero decides to be rude to Ferdinand, fearful to enter a courtship to rapidly

Act II:

The rest of the shipwreck survivors wake up on The Island
Having just been in a shipwreck, the survivors have clothes that smell and feel fresh like one's bought at market which amazes them
With the exception of Sebastian and Antonio, the song puts them all to sleep again
Prospero loses his title as Duke of Milan
Antonio manipulates Sebastian, King Alonso's brother by replacing King Alonso
Sebastian and Antonio are about to kill Alonso in his sleep but Ariel awakens everyone and they make an excuse for drawing their swords
Alonso in a drunken stupor and discovers Trinculo and Caliban under a cloak and thinks that he can make money in England displaying this novelty
Stephano, Trinculo's friend eventually finds Trinculo under Caliban's huge frame
Stephano gives Caliban alcohol, causing Caliban to think Stephano is more powerful than Prospero whom Caliban hates.
The three men (Stephano, Caliban and Trinculo) set off together later deciding to kill Prospero

Act III:

Prospero who is now invisible to Ferdinand and Miranda, witnesses Ferdinand and Miranda expressing their deep love for one another
Ferdinand, realizing he is witnessing a truly rare meeting of hearts, approves of Ferdinand for his daughter
Ferdinand takes Miranda for his wife;Ferdinand:"Ay, with a heart as willing as bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand."
Prospero is pleased about Ferdinand taking Miranda for his wife;Prospero:"Fair encounter of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace on that which breeds between them!"
Prospero takes care of errands before dinner;Prospero:"At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; for yet, ere supper time, must I perform much business appertaining."
Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban continue on with their plans to murder Prospero
Caliban blindly follows Stephano who has delusions of grandeur
Caliban is thought to be foolish by Trinculo in his efforts to follow Stephano
Caliban suggests some gruesome ways to kill Prospero. Ariel lures entrances the group and lures them away
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian and Francisco and others witness a banquet on the island but it is an illusion
Ariel returns and verbally punishes Alonso, King of Naples, Antonio and Sebastian for their roles in exiling Prospero, Ariel's master

Act IV:

A betrothel masque is played for the party by the spirits of Prospero: Ceres, Juno, Iris and brings about blessings for Miranda's and Ferdinand's good marriage
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he no longer will punish him, but instead will freely give her daughter's hand in marriage to him
Prospero conjures up a beautiful, mythical, illusory party to celebrate
Goddesses and nymphs attend the party
Prospero instructs Ariel to lead the shipwrecked men on the island to him
Stephano has "bloody thoughts"
Prospero promises Ariel that he will soon be free;Prospero:"Lie at my mercy all mine enemies:Shortly shall all my laboursnend, and thou [Ariel] shalt have the air at freedom: for a little...follow, and do me service"

Act V:

Prospero brings everyone except Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo before him in a circle
Prospero verbally reprimands several of the men who exiled him while other nobles are in his magic circle, enchanted
Prospero tells Ariel that he will soon be free and that Prospero will miss him
Prospero intends to destroy his ability to use magic
Prospero forgives King Alonso
Prospero tells Sebastian and Antonio he will keep secret their plan to kill Alonso and Forgives Sebastian and Antonio
King Alonso is glad to see his son Ferdinand is alive
Ferdinand's marriage to Miranda is announced
Prospero forgives Stephano and Trinculo
Caliban is embarrassed that he followed a fool (Trinculo)
Caliban is given his freedom
Prospero announces that in the morning they will all set sail for Milan
Ariel is set free

Epilogue:

Prospero asks the audience to free him as the Duke of Milan in Naples
The audience is told by Prospero that they have a great power and can decide future events

Other Notes:

A tempest is a violent wind
Often compared to A Midsummer Night's Dream also by William Shakespeare