| Brief Overall Summary | Alonso, the Kind of Naples, is returning from his daughter’s wedding in Tunis. He is accompanied by his son, Ferdinand, his brother, Sebastian and the Duke of Milan, Antonio. An old Milanese courtier, Gonzalo, is also on board. The ship is wrecked in a storm and all of the passengers and crew are thrown into the furious sea. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his fifteen-year-old Daughter, Miranda, are watching the shipwreck from an island. He tells her, for the first time, how they came to be on the island. Twelve years prior, when he was the Duke of Milan, his brother Antonio had usurped (take a position by force) him, but with Gonzalo’s help, he had escaped in a small boat with his baby daughter, Miranda, and his library books about fantasy and magic. They had ended up on the island and Prospero met Caliban, a deformed and savage creature, and made him into his slave. It turns out there are also spirits on the island. One of them, Ariel, had been imprisoned in a tree trunk by Caliban’s mother, the witch Sycorax, who then died. Prospero used his magic to rescue Ariel and made the spirit swear to serve him for a limited amount of time.The Ships passengers are cast upon the island unharmed, with their clothes neither wet or damaged. Alonso believes that his son, Ferdinand, is dead, however, he is just on another part of the island. Ferdinand then encounters Miranda and the two fall in love at first sight. Aside from Prospero and Caliban, he is the first man she has ever seen. Prospero puts Ferdinand to work manually, controlling all his movements with magic. Ariel pesters Prospero for his freedom and Prospero promises is once he has done some things for him, regarding the newcomers. Ariel leads the party towards Prospero’s cell. During this journey, Antonio and Sebastian plan to kill Alonso to usurp him and make Sebastian the King, however, some spooky stuff dissuades them. Two other members of the party, Trinculo, the court jester, and Stephano, the butler, are also wondering about the island. Caliban recruits them to help him overthrow Prospero. They all get drunk together and set off for Prospero’s cell. Ariel reports the plot to Prospero.Prospero has released Ferdinand and given his blessing to the marriage of the two young people. When the three would-be usurpers arrive at his cell they are distracted by some brightly coloured clothes that have been hung out for them, then they are chased away by a band of spirits ho have taken the form of dogs.Ariel brings the party to the cell. Prospero renounces his magic and reveals himself. He forgives his brother and prepares to return to Milan to resume his dukedom. Miranda and Ferdinand get engaged. Sailors arrive and announce that the ship hasn’t been wrecked after al, and is safely anchored off the island. Ariel is set free. Caliban and the drunken servants are also forgiven. There is a final celebration for their reunion. |
| Act 1 – Scene 1 | Alonso, the Kind of Naples, is returning from his daughter’s wedding in Tunis. He is accompanied by his son, Ferdinand, his brother, Sebastian and the Duke of Milan, Antonio. An old Milanese courtier, Gonzalo, is also on board. The ship is wrecked in a storm and all of the passengers and crew are thrown into the furious sea. |
| Act 1 – Scene 2 | Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his fifteen-year-old Daughter, Miranda, are watching the shipwreck from an island. She asks if he caused it, and he claims that although he did, nobody was hurt. He tells her, for the first time, how they came to be on the island. Twelve years prior, when he was the Duke of Milan, his brother Antonio had usurped (take a position by force) him by gaining the trust of King Alonso (of Naples) and making him transfer Dukedom, but with Gonzalo’s help, he had escaped in a small boat with his baby daughter, Miranda, and his library books about fantasy and magic. Prospero claims he wrecked the ship because all of his enemies were on it, and he knew this because the stars told him (astronomy). It turns out there are also spirits on the island. One of them, Ariel, had been imprisoned in a tree trunk by Caliban’s mother, the witch Sycorax, who then died. Prospero used his magic to rescue Ariel and made the spirit swear to serve him for a limited amount of time. Prospero made Ariel create the tempest that wrecks the ship.They had ended up on the island and Prospero met Caliban, the son of Sycorax, a deformed and savage creature, and made him into his slave after he tried to rape Miranda. Originally, Prospero promised to teach Caliban language in exchange for tricks of the trade for the island.The Ships passengers are cast upon the island unharmed, with their clothes neither wet or damaged. Alonso believes that his son, Ferdinand, is dead, however, he is just on another part of the island. Ariel attends Ferdinand and uses a beautiful song to lure Ferdinand to Miranda, and the two fall in love at first sight. Aside from Prospero and Caliban, he is the first man she has ever seen, and she thinks he’s a god or a spirit. Miranda introduces Prospero to Ferdinand, and Ferdinand claims that now his Dad Alonso is dead, he is the rightful King of Naples.In order to test their love (even though he wants them to marry anyway, cause then Miranda will be the Queen) Prospero puts Ferdinand to work manually, controlling all his movements with magic. Ariel pesters Prospero for his freedom and Prospero promises is once he has done some things for him, regarding the newcomers. Prospero asks Ariel again, who reluctantly agrees to work for a few more days at most. |
| Act 2 – Scene 1 | Ariel leads Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio and Sebastian towards Prospero’s cell. During this journey, when Ariel puts the King and Gonzalo to sleep, Antonio and Sebastian plan to kill Alonso to usurp him and make Sebastian the King. Sebastian questions whether or not this is the right thing to do, which is enough time for Ariel to wake up Gonzalo who then wakes up Alonso. Sebastian and Antonio are caught with their swords out but claimed some spooky stuff happened and they were just protecting the king. |
| Act 2 – Scene 2 | Two other members of the party, Trinculo, the court jester, and Stephano, the butler, are also wondering about the island. Trinculo wonders into Caliban and hides with him from a storm. Then, Stephano comes out of nowhere and they all rejoice together and get completely drunk. During this time, Caliban promises to be Stephano’s slave while he claims Kingdom of this island. |
| Act 3 – Scene 1 | Near Prospero’s cell, Ferdinand is collecting wood (much like Caliban). Miranda begs him to take a break, but he refuses but replies by asking her what her name is.The two converse about their past, and declare their mutual love for each other, and promise to be husband and wife.Hidden over in the corner, Prospero is stoked. |
| Act 3 – Scene 2 | Trinculo and Caliban get into an argument, and Caliban demands Stephano to defend him, as he knows the island and Prospero better than they do. Ariel rocks up and starts whispering random stuff like “thou liest” and Stephano and Caliban decide to beat him up.Caliban recruits Trinculo and Stephano to help him overthrow Prospero, promising them magical power and Miranda. They all get drunk together and set off for Prospero’s cell. Ariel reports the plot to Prospero.Trinculo and Stephano become scared of the random noises, but Caliban assures them its just the beautiful island being beautiful or something. |
| Act 3 – Scene 3 | Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzalo trip balls and see some crazy banquet. (Sebastian and Antonio are still plotting). They boutta eat it and Ariel rocks up as a harpy and vanishes the food, she stuns them and declares them sinners, and claims they’re unfit to live because they betrayed Prospero.Gonzalo asks them why theyre so shocked, which makes it seem like Gonzalo didnt see the harpy.Alonso’s like ay mate the sea killed me son because we three usurped young Prospero. |
| Act 4 – Scene 1 | Prospero has released Ferdinand and given his blessing to the marriage of the two young people. A bunch of gods appear before the young couple, Iris, Juno, and Ceres. Ceres doesnt want to see Cupid or Venus cause they plotted bad stuff about Proserpine (Cere’s daughter). The couple are like damn son, and bam, they’re married.Prospero realises that Caliban’s still out for him, and hides Ferdinand and Miranda in his cell. Ariel tells Prospero about how Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano are all spangled. Prospero tells Ariel to bait them with nice linens and stuff just outside the cell. Prospero promises to plague all the men for plotting against his life. Ariel summons some hellhounds that chase the three off, and Prospero wishes them cramps and stiches for their journey. |
| Act 5 – Scene 1 | Ariel brings the party to the cell. Prospero renounces his magic and reveals himself. He forgives his brother and prepares to return to Milan to resume his dukedom. Miranda and Ferdinand get engaged. Sailors arrive and announce that the ship hasn’t been wrecked after al, and is safely anchored off the island. Ariel is set free. Caliban and the drunken servants are also forgiven. There is a final celebration for their reunion. |
The Tempest – Summary
July 7, 2019