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ThE tempest
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (William Shakespeare)
- Born in 1564 and died 52 years later, in 1616.
- Married Anne Hathaway in 1582.
- Unfortunately, any understanding of Shakespeare’s childhood is speculative because children did not often appear in the records that scholars used to attempt to reconstruct Shakespeare’s life.
CONVENTIONS OF A SHAKESPEAREAN ROMANCE
- The Romance is one that focuses on the adventures of young lovers who are trying to overcome psychological, social, and interpersonal constraints in order to be together.
- It has been asserted, however, that the genre of Romance belongs to the genre of tragic comedy.
- The particular themes that are explored are separation and reunion of family members, jealousy, and exile, as seen when banished characters are restored to their rightful homes at the end of the play.
- The characters are often subjected to long journeys, at times involving shipwrecks, and the focus is on family groupings.
- The Romance focuses on the idea of patience through adversity, and the hand of providence in human affairs is more important than the development of individual personalities or their fate.
- Romances often conclude with a spirit of hope and reconciliation of previously warring characters, with the emphasis being on the cycle of regeneration, marriage, and reunited families.
- Symbolism is very important in the Romance, so realistic character presentation is not the focus of this genre.
- The plot of the Romance tends to be episodic in nature, occurring in exotic locations with improbable events that involve the magical and supernatural.
MAIN SUMMARY
This play is one that contains romance and intrigue. It is the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, whose title is stolen by his brother Sebastian. Prospero was more interested in learning and books, and left the running of Milan to his brother. His brother took advantage of his trust and manipulated his way into power. He placed Prospero on a boat, with his infant daughter Miranda, and left them at sea. They (www.bulbsoup.com) were aided by Gonzalo and managed to survive. They ended up on an island, where he obtained his servants, Caliban and Ariel. The story centres around his plan to reassert himself as Duke of Milan through the help of a tempest.
This play is one that contains romance and intrigue. It is the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, whose title is stolen by his brother Sebastian. Prospero was more interested in learning and books, and left the running of Milan to his brother. His brother took advantage of his trust and manipulated his way into power. He placed Prospero on a boat, with his infant daughter Miranda, and left them at sea. They (www.bulbsoup.com) were aided by Gonzalo and managed to survive. They ended up on an island, where he obtained his servants, Caliban and Ariel. The story centres around his plan to reassert himself as Duke of Milan through the help of a tempest.
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SETTING
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THEME
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CHARACTERS
Prospero
The shipwrecked royal court
Alonso. King of Naples. He was astonished at the magic that he saw, and he accepted the union between Ferdinand and Miranda.
Ferdinand. Alonso's son. (details at the top of the page)
Sebastian. Alonso's brother. He plots, along with Antonio, to kill Gonzalo and Alonso.
Antonio. Prospero's brother who usurped his title as Duke of Milan. He masterminds the plot to kill Gonzalo and Alonso.
Gonzalo. An honest councilor and member of the royal court who helped Prospero and Miranda to survive, by giving them the necessities for survival, when they were left at sea.
Stephano. A drunken butler who takes Caliban as his servant. He becomes an unsuspecting pawn in Caliban's plan to usurp power from Prospero
Trinculo. A court jester who also, unwittingly, becomes part of the plot to usurp power from Prospero.
Prospero
- He is the rightful Duke of Milan.
- He resides on an unnamed island, on which he has magical powers.
- Prospero is the self-proclaimed lord over all the inhabitants of the island.
- He is a very intelligent man who formulates (www.bulbsoup.com) a tenable plan to regain his title.
- He is a loving father who ensures that his daughter is well-matched in marriage.
- He is a strong leader who ensures that his servants are aware of his strength.
- She is the daughter of Prospero.
- She is an innocent young lady who has only laid eyes on her father, Caliban, and Ariel.
- Miranda falls in love, at first sight, with Ferdinand.
- Alonso's son, therefore, he is the Prince of Naples.
- He falls in love, at first sight, with Miranda.
- He is very devoted to her because he performs the duties of a servant, without complaint, in order to be in Miranda's presence.
- He was separated, purposefully, from the royal court during the shipwreck and lured to meet Miranda.
- Prospero's trusted servant.
- He was freed from a tree, to which he was confined by Sycorax, by Prospero, therefore he is indebted to him.
- Ariel is very brave because, despite the fact that he (www.bulbsoup.com) owed this debt, he still reminded his master, Prospero, that he had made a promise to free him.
- He can become invisible to the people around him.
- He is very loyal to Prospero because he performs his duties without question.
- A native of the island.
- He ruled the island before Prospero arrived.
- His mother was the witch Sycorax
- Prospero taught him many things, but he betrayed him by trying to have relations with his daughter in order to populate the island with many Calibans.
- He is very bitter towards Prospero and curses him every chance that he gets.
- Caliban masterminds a plot to usurp power from Prospero, but it fails.
The shipwrecked royal court
Alonso. King of Naples. He was astonished at the magic that he saw, and he accepted the union between Ferdinand and Miranda.
Ferdinand. Alonso's son. (details at the top of the page)
Sebastian. Alonso's brother. He plots, along with Antonio, to kill Gonzalo and Alonso.
Antonio. Prospero's brother who usurped his title as Duke of Milan. He masterminds the plot to kill Gonzalo and Alonso.
Gonzalo. An honest councilor and member of the royal court who helped Prospero and Miranda to survive, by giving them the necessities for survival, when they were left at sea.
Stephano. A drunken butler who takes Caliban as his servant. He becomes an unsuspecting pawn in Caliban's plan to usurp power from Prospero
Trinculo. A court jester who also, unwittingly, becomes part of the plot to usurp power from Prospero.
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The ship's crew
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Lords
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PLOT
Act 1
Scene 1
Gonzalo, Sebastian, Antonio, and the ship's crew are at sea during a very violent storm. The ship splits in two with its occupants.
Scene 2
Miranda tells Prospero about the ship that she saw sink. He tells her not to worry because all of the occupants of the ship are fine. He then tells Miranda about their life, twelve years before, in Milan. Prospero was the Duke, but he gave over the running of Milan to his brother, Antonio, who took advantage of this opportunity and bestowed favours, then called in these favours, in order to manipulate the support of officials and create new affiliations. Under the cover of darkness, Antonio took Prospero and Miranda aboard a small boat and left them at sea. Gonzalo helped them by giving them necessities for survival, including books. Prospero ends their conversation by putting Miranda to sleep. He then discusses, with Ariel, how he started the fire on the ship, and confirms that everyone on the ship is safe. Ariel, at this point in the discussion, reminds Prospero of his promise to free him. Prospero then reminds Ariel about the dire position in which he found him and threatens him with a lengthy incarceration if he asks him if he brings up the topic again. He promised to set Ariel free in two days and sent him on a mission. Miranda awakens and she and Prospero go to visit Caliban. Prospero threatens Caliban and Caliban highlights how well he was treated, initially, and how things have changed. Prospero, in reaction, highlights that Caliban had attempted to dishonour Miranda, and Caliban defends himself by saying that he only wanted to populate the island. The scene switches to Ferdinand, who is following the music of the invisible Ariel, who is leading him towards Prospero and Miranda. Miranda and Ferdinand see each other and are entranced. Ferdinand tells Prospero that he is the King of Naples, thinking that his father is dead, and tells Miranda that he will marry her. Prospero, however, accuses Ferdinand of trying to usurp his position on the island and locks him up. Miranda opposes this move.
Act 2
Scene 1
Gonzalo, Adrian,, Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso are in a remote part of the island. Gonzalo believes that they should be happy that they are alive, but the others are annoyed by his optimism. They discuss the physical state of their clothes and compare it to when they were at the King's daughter's wedding. Sebastian is unsympathetic to the King's loss of his two children and Gonzalo chides him for his harshness. Alonso thinks that he has lost Ferdinand to the sea and he lost his daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis. Gonzalo then explains how he would organize the island if he had the power. The men continue talking and Ariel enters and makes most of them sleepy. Only Antonio and Sebastian remain awake, and Antonio broaches the subject of treachery with Sebastian. He listens to Antonio's argument and is convinced. They plan to kill Alonso and Gonzalo at the same time, Antonio will kill Alonso and Sebastian will kill Gonzalo. They go to execute their plan, but it is interrupted by Ariel, on Prospero's command.
Scene 2
Caliban is near his cave, cursing Prospero when Trinculo -Alonso's court jester - encounters him and decides to use Caliban's cloak as shade. Stephano, the drunk butler, then enters. He mistakenly believes that Trinculo is a part of Caliban, and is very excited to reunite with him when he realizes that he is a separate man. Stephano forces Caliban to drink and explains his plan to enslave him and Caliban agrees to serve Stephano. Trinculo and Stephano believe that they are the only two survivors and they will own the land.
Act 3
Scene 1
Ferdinand is given the task of carrying logs and Miranda weeps that he has to do this because she believes that it is below his station. She volunteers to help him but he rejects her offer. They talk and get to know each other, and Ferdinand declares his love for Miranda.
Scene 2
Stephano, Caliban, and Trinculo talk near Caliban's cave. Ariel intervenes and creates confusion by making comments while being invisible. Caliban tells the tale of how he was usurped by Prospero while being interrupted by Ariel. He suggests that they kill Prospero, and Stephano then decides that he will kill Prospero and Caliban and Trinculo will become his viceroys. The men continue to talk and Ariel plays music. They decide to follow the music.
Scene 3
The shipwrecked crew are on a remote part of the island where they have stopped to rest. The reader learns that Sebastian and Antonio have decided to kill Gonzalo and Alonso, that same night because they would be tired and not as vigilant. Suddenly, a banquet magically appears, created by Prospero, and the crew is shocked. Prospero listens to their discussion and, as soon as the men decide to eat, the banquet disappears. It is replaced by Ariel, who is disguised as a harpy, who curses them and accuses the men of overthrowing Prospero. Ariel then vanishes and Prospero muses on the effect of Ariel's role as the harpy. Prospero observes Alonso declaring that he wants to drown himself, so he sends Ariel to prevent any such action.
Act 4
Scene 1
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he has passed his test and can have Miranda's hand in marriage. He advises Ferdinand not to have pre-marital sex because it will only bring misery. Prospero then asks Ariel to fetch the other shipwrecked men so that he can perform another spectacle. Members of the masque arrive to bless the couple and Juno and Ceres sing a blessing. Prospero stops the proceedings, however, when he remembers Caliban's plot. Meanwhile, Ferdinand and Miranda discuss Ferdinand's anger and he soothes them by telling them that he is going for a walk. He then meets with Ariel, who tells him that he led Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban to a stinking pool. Prospero makes plans to punish them and reflects on his perception that Caliban cannot be taught, that he has wasted his time on him. Prospero and Ariel hang glistening apparel to trap the men. Stephano and Trinculo fall prey to the trap and Caliban tries to re-direct them towards their goals. Prospero then sets his spirits on them so that they can be punished.
Act 5
Scene 1
Ariel reports to Prospero on the shipwrecked crew. He displays pity for them, which leads Prospero to also feel pity towards them. He decides to be merciful towards the prisoners and declares that he will give up his magic powers. Members of the court enter and Prospero praises some - Gonzalo - and critiques others - Alonso and Sebastian. He forgives Antonio and dresses as if he were the Duke of Milan. The focus then shifts to Alonso, who wishes that Ferdinand and Miranda were dead. He also expresses gratitude to the sea. The reader/ audience then sees Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess. Miranda marvels at the sight of the King and courtiers and Ferdinand tells his story. Gonzalo is pleased with the happy outcome for everyone.
Act 1
Scene 1
Gonzalo, Sebastian, Antonio, and the ship's crew are at sea during a very violent storm. The ship splits in two with its occupants.
Scene 2
Miranda tells Prospero about the ship that she saw sink. He tells her not to worry because all of the occupants of the ship are fine. He then tells Miranda about their life, twelve years before, in Milan. Prospero was the Duke, but he gave over the running of Milan to his brother, Antonio, who took advantage of this opportunity and bestowed favours, then called in these favours, in order to manipulate the support of officials and create new affiliations. Under the cover of darkness, Antonio took Prospero and Miranda aboard a small boat and left them at sea. Gonzalo helped them by giving them necessities for survival, including books. Prospero ends their conversation by putting Miranda to sleep. He then discusses, with Ariel, how he started the fire on the ship, and confirms that everyone on the ship is safe. Ariel, at this point in the discussion, reminds Prospero of his promise to free him. Prospero then reminds Ariel about the dire position in which he found him and threatens him with a lengthy incarceration if he asks him if he brings up the topic again. He promised to set Ariel free in two days and sent him on a mission. Miranda awakens and she and Prospero go to visit Caliban. Prospero threatens Caliban and Caliban highlights how well he was treated, initially, and how things have changed. Prospero, in reaction, highlights that Caliban had attempted to dishonour Miranda, and Caliban defends himself by saying that he only wanted to populate the island. The scene switches to Ferdinand, who is following the music of the invisible Ariel, who is leading him towards Prospero and Miranda. Miranda and Ferdinand see each other and are entranced. Ferdinand tells Prospero that he is the King of Naples, thinking that his father is dead, and tells Miranda that he will marry her. Prospero, however, accuses Ferdinand of trying to usurp his position on the island and locks him up. Miranda opposes this move.
Act 2
Scene 1
Gonzalo, Adrian,, Antonio, Sebastian, and Alonso are in a remote part of the island. Gonzalo believes that they should be happy that they are alive, but the others are annoyed by his optimism. They discuss the physical state of their clothes and compare it to when they were at the King's daughter's wedding. Sebastian is unsympathetic to the King's loss of his two children and Gonzalo chides him for his harshness. Alonso thinks that he has lost Ferdinand to the sea and he lost his daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis. Gonzalo then explains how he would organize the island if he had the power. The men continue talking and Ariel enters and makes most of them sleepy. Only Antonio and Sebastian remain awake, and Antonio broaches the subject of treachery with Sebastian. He listens to Antonio's argument and is convinced. They plan to kill Alonso and Gonzalo at the same time, Antonio will kill Alonso and Sebastian will kill Gonzalo. They go to execute their plan, but it is interrupted by Ariel, on Prospero's command.
Scene 2
Caliban is near his cave, cursing Prospero when Trinculo -Alonso's court jester - encounters him and decides to use Caliban's cloak as shade. Stephano, the drunk butler, then enters. He mistakenly believes that Trinculo is a part of Caliban, and is very excited to reunite with him when he realizes that he is a separate man. Stephano forces Caliban to drink and explains his plan to enslave him and Caliban agrees to serve Stephano. Trinculo and Stephano believe that they are the only two survivors and they will own the land.
Act 3
Scene 1
Ferdinand is given the task of carrying logs and Miranda weeps that he has to do this because she believes that it is below his station. She volunteers to help him but he rejects her offer. They talk and get to know each other, and Ferdinand declares his love for Miranda.
Scene 2
Stephano, Caliban, and Trinculo talk near Caliban's cave. Ariel intervenes and creates confusion by making comments while being invisible. Caliban tells the tale of how he was usurped by Prospero while being interrupted by Ariel. He suggests that they kill Prospero, and Stephano then decides that he will kill Prospero and Caliban and Trinculo will become his viceroys. The men continue to talk and Ariel plays music. They decide to follow the music.
Scene 3
The shipwrecked crew are on a remote part of the island where they have stopped to rest. The reader learns that Sebastian and Antonio have decided to kill Gonzalo and Alonso, that same night because they would be tired and not as vigilant. Suddenly, a banquet magically appears, created by Prospero, and the crew is shocked. Prospero listens to their discussion and, as soon as the men decide to eat, the banquet disappears. It is replaced by Ariel, who is disguised as a harpy, who curses them and accuses the men of overthrowing Prospero. Ariel then vanishes and Prospero muses on the effect of Ariel's role as the harpy. Prospero observes Alonso declaring that he wants to drown himself, so he sends Ariel to prevent any such action.
Act 4
Scene 1
Prospero tells Ferdinand that he has passed his test and can have Miranda's hand in marriage. He advises Ferdinand not to have pre-marital sex because it will only bring misery. Prospero then asks Ariel to fetch the other shipwrecked men so that he can perform another spectacle. Members of the masque arrive to bless the couple and Juno and Ceres sing a blessing. Prospero stops the proceedings, however, when he remembers Caliban's plot. Meanwhile, Ferdinand and Miranda discuss Ferdinand's anger and he soothes them by telling them that he is going for a walk. He then meets with Ariel, who tells him that he led Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban to a stinking pool. Prospero makes plans to punish them and reflects on his perception that Caliban cannot be taught, that he has wasted his time on him. Prospero and Ariel hang glistening apparel to trap the men. Stephano and Trinculo fall prey to the trap and Caliban tries to re-direct them towards their goals. Prospero then sets his spirits on them so that they can be punished.
Act 5
Scene 1
Ariel reports to Prospero on the shipwrecked crew. He displays pity for them, which leads Prospero to also feel pity towards them. He decides to be merciful towards the prisoners and declares that he will give up his magic powers. Members of the court enter and Prospero praises some - Gonzalo - and critiques others - Alonso and Sebastian. He forgives Antonio and dresses as if he were the Duke of Milan. The focus then shifts to Alonso, who wishes that Ferdinand and Miranda were dead. He also expresses gratitude to the sea. The reader/ audience then sees Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess. Miranda marvels at the sight of the King and courtiers and Ferdinand tells his story. Gonzalo is pleased with the happy outcome for everyone.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
[Editors]. The Tempest. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press Ltd, 1995, 2014.
https://librivox.org/the-tempest-by-william-shakespeare/
http://www.iloveshakespeare.com/blog/romantic-comedy-tragedy-and-romance/
https://jcutcliffe.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/comedy.pdf
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_R.html
[Editors]. The Tempest. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press Ltd, 1995, 2014.
https://librivox.org/the-tempest-by-william-shakespeare/
http://www.iloveshakespeare.com/blog/romantic-comedy-tragedy-and-romance/
https://jcutcliffe.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/comedy.pdf
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_R.html
