The Tempest by William Shakespeare

The Tempest is a play about magic, betrayal, love and forgiveness. It is set on an island somewhere near Italy where Prospero, the one-time Duke of Milan, and his beautiful daughter, Miranda, live with a sprite called Ariel and a strange wildman called Caliban.

Prospero is a powerful magician who creates a storm, or tempest that sets the scene for the play. In the events that follow we see a plot to murder the King of Naples, a drunken scheme to kill Prospero and a romance between Miranda and the King’s son, Ferdinand. In the end, everyone is forgiven and they all set sail for home.

Quick Plot Summary:

  • A ship is caught in a tempest and begins to sink.
  • Prospero tells Miranda that he caused the storm.
  • Ariel fetches Ferdinand, who falls in love with Miranda.
  • Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso, the King of Naples.
  • The ship’s jester and butler meet Caliban and feed him alcohol.
  • Caliban suggests that they should kill Prospero, and Ariel overhears.
  • Prospero uses magic to scare Alonso and spoil Caliban’s plot.
  • Prospero forgives the passengers for their former betrayals.