The Tempest

Introduction

• The Tempest is a play written by William Shakespeare.

• It is thought by many people to be the last play he wrote.

• There are three plots in the story as well as two prequels (stories that precede/come before the main story)

Characters

Prospero – the ex Duke of Milan

Miranda – Prospero’s daughter

Gonzalo – Prospero’s friend

Sycorax – a witch

Caliban – a monster / Sycorax’s son

Ariel – a sprite / Prospero’s servant

Antonio – Prospero’s brother / Duke of Milan

Alonso – King of Naples / Antonio’s friend

Ferdinand – King of Naples’ son

Stefano – butler to King Alonso

Trinculo – jester to King Alonso

Prequel: Sycorax

• Sycorax, Caliban and Ariel lived on the island.

• Sycorax commanded Ariel to use it’s magic for bad and Ariel refused.

• Sycorax cast a spell that trapped Ariel within a tree.

• When Sycorax died, Ariel stayed trapped in the tree until 12 years later when Prospero released it.

Prequel: Milan

• Twelve years ago, Prospero was the Duke of Milan.• His brother (Antonio) was jealous and plotted against

Prospero with the King of Naples (Alonso).• One night, Prospero and his young daughter Miranda

were seized, thrown into a small boat and pushed into the ocean.

• Luckily, Prospero’s old friend, Gonzalo, had crept to the boat earlier and hidden food, water and Prospero’s books to help his friend survive.

• Prospero and Miranda came ashore at an island where they found the monster Caliban and Prospero released Ariel from the tree (see Prequel: Sycorax).

The plot (what happens in the story)

• The play opens with a huge storm (a tempest). On the sea, a ship is being destroyed by the tempest.

• On the ship is:– Alonso, the King of Naples– Antonio, the Duke of Milan– Ferdinand, Alonso’s son– Trinculo, Alonso’s jester– Stefano, Alonso’s butler– Sebastian, Alonso’s brother

• The men fall into the water and the storm carries them to different parts of the island where they get washed ashore.

• Meanwhile, on the island, Prospero has caused this storm with the help of his servant Ariel. His enemies are on that ship and he wants his revenge after twelve years.

• Ariel is getting impatient and wants it’s freedom from Prospero. Ariel is told that it will be set free in two days once Prospero has got his revenge.

• Prospero and Miranda visit Caliban. Prospero cared for the monster until he attacked Miranda so now he is treated cruelly by Prospero.

• Miranda sees Ferdinand who is walking around lost on the island. They fall in love and arrange to marry but Prospero wants to test Ferdinand and makes him carry logs. Ferdinand did this willingly and so Prospero gave their engagement him blessing.

• The other shipwrecked men start to wake. Sebastian and Antonio plot to kill King Alonso (and make Sebastian king) but everybody wakes up before they can do it.

• Caliban finds Trinculo and Stefano. Caliban has never seen another human and thinks they are gods. Trinculo and Stefano create a plan to help Caliban and kill Prospero.

• Ariel overhears their plan and flies off to tell Prospero. They plot to punish the trio.

• When Caliban, Stefano and Trinculo approach Prospero’s cave, they are distracted by many fine clothes Ariel has laid on the floor. They stop to try on the expensive clothes.

• When the trio are half dressed, Prospero released a pack of angry ghost dogs to chase them away across the other side of the island. Prospero then decides it is time to get revenge on his brother and enemies.

• King Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian are still searching for Ferdinand. Tired and hungry, they are amazed when a table of food suddenly appears. As soon as they touch the food though, Ariel, disguised as a harpy made their food disappear and reminded them of their sins against Prospero.

• The three men were very scared and Ariel cast a magic spell which froze them like statues.

• When Prospero appeared, Gonzalo was happy to see his old friend but Antonio and King Alonso begging forgiveness. Prospero accepted and his anger was over.

• Prospero then showed King Alonso where Ferdinand and Miranda were playing chess. He was overjoyed to see his son alive and blessed their engagement.

• Caliban, Trinculo and Stefano appeared still running from the ghost dogs. Urged on by Ariel, Prospero forgave them.

• Everyone agreed to sail back to Naples the next morning for the wedding of Miranda and Ferdinand. Prospero would then return to Milan as the duke. Prospero released Ariel and threw away his magic cloak, buried his magic staff and threw his book of magic out to sea. He left the island to Caliban.