The Tempest Summary

The Tempest is a funny and entertaining play written by William Shakespeare. It is one of his most famous works, along with Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The story is about Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who was betrayed and sent away. He ends up on a magical island where he uses his powers to play tricks on his enemies until they agree to give him back his position. First performed in London in 1611, the play includes magic, humor, and mystery while exploring themes like choosing forgiveness instead of revenge, the power of love and human desire, and European ideas about exploration and ideal societies.

Summary

Overall Plot: Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, was overthrown by his brother Antonio and cast adrift at sea with his young daughter, Miranda. They landed on a remote, enchanted island. Twelve years later, using powerful magic, Prospero causes a storm (a tempest) to shipwreck his enemies on the island. Over the course of one day, he uses his magic and his spirit-servant, Ariel, to confront the men who wronged him, defeat a rebellion by his monstrous slave, Caliban, and orchestrate a romance between his daughter and the Prince of Naples. The play explores themes of revenge, forgiveness, freedom, and the power of art and magic.

ACT 1

Scene 1: On a Ship at Sea

A violent storm is raging. A ship carrying Alonso (the King of Naples), his brother Sebastian, his son Ferdinand, his advisor Gonzalo, and Prospero's brother Antonio is being torn apart.

• The Shipmaster and Boatswain desperately try to save the ship, shouting orders at the sailors.
• The noble passengers come on deck, panicking and getting in the way. The Boatswain rudely tells them to go back to their cabins and let the sailors work, bluntly stating that the storm doesn't care that they are kings and lords.
• The nobles are furious at his insolence but are forced to retreat as the situation becomes hopeless.
• The sailors give up, crying that all is lost, and the scene ends with the sound of the ship splitting apart.

Scene 2: On the Island

Prospero and his daughter Miranda watch the shipwreck from the island. Miranda, who has never seen a ship or known any other people, is heartbroken for the poor souls she believes have drowned.

• Miranda's Concern: She begs her father, whom she knows has powerful magic, to calm the storm.
• Prospero's Revelation: Prospero comforts her, assuring her that no one was harmed. He decides it is finally time to tell her the truth about their past. He reveals that he was once the Duke of Milan, a powerful and respected man.
• The Story of Betrayal: He explains that he loved studying magic (his "liberal arts") more than governing, so he trusted his brother, Antonio, to manage the state. Antonio, hungry for power, betrayed him. With the help of Alonso, the King of Naples, Antonio staged a coup. Instead of killing them, Antonio set Prospero and the three-year-old Miranda adrift in a rotten, rickety boat, expecting them to die.
• Gonzalo's Kindness: Prospero tells Miranda that a kind Neapolitan lord, Gonzalo, secretly stocked their boat with food, fresh water, fine clothes, and, most importantly, Prospero's beloved books of magic.
• The Plan: Prospero explains that by a "strange accident," his enemies were sailing past the island. He used his magic to create the storm to bring them ashore safely but scattered across the island. His overall plan is still unclear.
• Miranda Sleeps: The overwhelming story makes Miranda sleepy, and she dozes off.

Prospero then calls for his spirit servant, Ariel.

• Ariel's Report: Ariel appears and happily describes how he perfectly executed the tempest, causing terror on the ship. He reports that everyone made it to shore safely and Ferdinand, the king's son, is alone, thinking his father is dead. The king's ship is hidden safely in a secret cove.
• Ariel's Demand: Ariel reminds Prospero of his promise to free him after faithful service. Prospero angrily scolds Ariel for being impatient, reminding him of the debt he owes.
• Ariel's Past: Prospero recounts how he rescued Ariel from a prison inside a cloven pine tree. The witch Sycorax, who once ruled the island, had trapped Ariel there for refusing to carry out her evil commands. Sycorax died, leaving Ariel trapped for twelve years until Prospero freed him.
• Prospero's Threat: Prospero threatens to imprison Ariel in an oak tree if he complains again. Ariel, frightened, promises to be obedient. Prospero gives him a new task: to become invisible to everyone except Prospero.

Prospero wakes Miranda, and they go to visit his other servant, Caliban, the son of the witch Sycorax.

• Introducing Caliban: Caliban is a monstrous, earthy creature. Prospero calls him harshly, and Caliban responds with curses.
• Their History: Caliban claims the island is rightfully his because he inherited it from his mother, Sycorax. He says that when Prospero first arrived, he was kind to Caliban, teaching him language and showing him the island. In return, Caliban showed Prospero all the best resources of the island.
• The Reason for Enslavement: Prospero reveals that this kindness ended when Caliban tried to assault Miranda and "people this isle with Calibans." Since that day, Prospero has enslaved him, forcing him to do hard labor like fetching wood.
• Caliban's Resentment: Caliban is full of hatred. His famous line is: "You taught me language, and my profit on't / Is I know how to curse." Prospero threatens him with magical punishments (cramps and pinches) if he doesn't go fetch firewood.

Ariel returns, invisible, leading the prince, Ferdinand, onto the stage with beautiful, magical music.

• Love at First Sight: Ferdinand, grieving for his drowned father, is drawn by Ariel's music. He and Miranda see each other and are instantly captivated. Miranda, who has only ever seen her father and Caliban, thinks Ferdinand is a "spirit" and the most noble thing she's ever seen. Ferdinand is equally amazed and thinks Miranda must be the goddess of the island.
• Prospero's Test: Though this is exactly what Prospero wanted, he pretends to be stern and angry. He accuses Ferdinand of being a spy and a traitor who has come to steal the island from him. He uses his magic to charm Ferdinand, freezing him so he cannot move, and takes him prisoner.
• Miranda's Plea: Miranda begs her father to be merciful, defending Ferdinand's gentle nature. Prospero insists Ferdinand is a fake, telling Miranda she has poor judgment because the only other man she knows is the "devil" Caliban. Secretly, Prospero is pleased their love is blossoming so quickly but wants to make their eventual union seem hard-won.

ACT 2

Scene 1: Another Part of the Island

Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, and their courtiers have survived and gathered on another part of the island. Alonso is deep in despair, believing his son Ferdinand has drowned.

• Gonzalo's Optimism: The old, kind-hearted Gonzalo tries to cheer up the king, pointing out they have miraculously survived and should be joyful.
• Antonio and Sebastian's Cynicism: Antonio (Prospero's traitorous brother) and Sebastian (the king's brother) are rude, cynical, and mock Gonzalo's every word behind his back. They make sarcastic jokes, showing themselves to be unpleasant and mean-spirited.
• A Conspiracy is Born: Ariel arrives invisible and uses magic to put everyone to sleep except Antonio and Sebastian.
• Antonio's Evil Persuasion: Seeing the king and Gonzalo asleep, Antonio sees an opportunity. He persuades Sebastian that if they kill Alonso and Gonzalo, Sebastian could become the new King of Naples. He argues that Ferdinand is certainly dead, and Alonso's daughter is far away in Tunis. He uses his own successful betrayal of Prospero as an example.
• Sebastian is Convinced: Sebastian agrees to the murder plot. They draw their swords, ready to kill the sleeping men.
• Ariel's Intervention: Ariel, still invisible, sings in Gonzalo's ear to wake him just in time. Gonzalo wakes and shouts, which also wakes the king.
• A Cover Story: Antonio and Sebastian quickly make up a story, saying they drew their swords because they heard a loud noise like a roaring lion. The group, now uneasy and suspicious of each other, decides to move on to continue searching for Ferdinand.

Scene 2: Another Part of the Island

Caliban is carrying wood and cursing Prospero, wishing diseases upon him. He hears a storm coming and hides under his cloak.

• Trinculo Arrives: Trinculo, the king's jester, stumbles in. He's another survivor from the ship. Seeing the storm, he looks for shelter and finds Caliban's hidden form. Thinking Caliban is a strange, fish-like monster, he crawls under the cloak with him to hide from the weather, remarking that "misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows."
• Stephano Arrives: Stephano, the king's drunken butler, enters, singing drunkenly and drinking from a bottle he saved from the shipwreck. He sees the four legs (Caliban and Trinculo) sticking out from the cloak and thinks it's a four-legged monster.
• "A Most Profound Drunkard": Stephano gives Caliban a drink from his bottle. Caliban, who has never tasted alcohol before, thinks it is "celestial liquor" and believes Stephano is a powerful god who has fallen from the moon. He immediately decides to worship Stephano and abandon Prospero.
• The Group is Formed: Trinculo recognizes Stephano's voice and crawls out. The three drunkards are reunited. Caliban swears his loyalty to Stephano, the "brave god."
• A New Plot: Caliban promises to lead Stephano to where Prospero sleeps. He says if Stephano kills Prospero, he can become the ruler of the island and marry the beautiful Miranda. The drunken Stephano loves this idea and agrees to the plan. They all stagger off, singing drunken songs, with Caliban dreaming of freedom.

ACT 3

Scene 1: In Front of Prospero's Cell

Ferdinand is performing the hard labor Prospero assigned him: carrying and stacking heavy logs.

• Love Makes Labor Easy: Though the work is difficult, Ferdinand doesn't mind because he is in love with Miranda. He says thinking of her makes his labor a pleasure.
• Miranda's Compassion: Miranda finds him and tells him to rest, offering to carry the logs for him. Ferdinand refuses to let her do such hard work.
• Confessions of Love: They talk, and Miranda reveals her name. Ferdinand reveals he is a prince and likely now a king (thinking his father is dead). He passionately declares his love for Miranda, saying he would make her his queen.
• Miranda Proposes: Overwhelmed with emotion, Miranda, in her innocence, proposes marriage to him. Ferdinand happily accepts. They pledge their love to each other.
• Prospero's Joy: Prospero, watching invisibly, is overjoyed that his plan is working perfectly. He is happy for them but leaves to attend to other business, namely foiling the other conspiracies on the island.

Scene 2: Another Part of the Island

Meanwhile, Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo are still drinking and plotting.

• Drunken Foolishness: Stephano and Trinculo are very drunk and argue foolishly. Caliban tries to keep them focused on their plan to kill Prospero.
• The Plan Details: Caliban explains that Prospero always takes a nap in the afternoon. That is the best time to attack. He tells them they must first steal Prospero's magic books, because without them, he has no power. He also mentions the beautiful Miranda as a prize.
• Ariel's Interference: The invisible Ariel is listening and begins to cause trouble. He interrupts by speaking in Trinculo's voice, calling Caliban a liar. This makes Stephano think Trinculo is mocking them, so he beats Trinculo.
• Caliban's Speech: Caliban calms them down and delivers a beautiful speech about the magic of the island, describing the "sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not" that often fill the air (which are the work of Ariel).
• Led Astray: Ariel plays a tune on a pipe and drum. The drunken trio is distracted by the music and decide to follow the mysterious sounds before going to kill Prospero.

Scene 3: Another Part of the Island

Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo are exhausted from searching for Ferdinand. Alonso is giving up hope and is crushed by grief.

• The Conspiracy Continues: Antonio and Sebastian still plan to murder Alonso that very night when the others are asleep.
• A Magical Banquet: Suddenly, strange, solemn music plays. Prospero, invisible, watches from above. Several spirit shapes enter and bring in a lavish banquet of food. The amazed men think they are seeing illusions or miracles.
• A Sudden Judgment: Just as they are about to eat, Ariel appears in the terrifying shape of a Harpy (a mythical monster). The banquet vanishes.
• The Accusation: Ariel, as the Harpy, accuses Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian of being "three men of sin." He reminds them of their great crime against Prospero twelve years ago. He declares that the sea itself has taken revenge by swallowing up Ferdinand as punishment for their evil deeds.
• Guilt and Madness: Filled with guilt and driven mad by the vision, Alonso runs off in despair, convinced his son is dead because of his sins. Sebastian and Antonio, also furious and crazed, draw their swords and run off to fight the spirits. Gonzalo, worried for them all, tells the others to follow and make sure the guilty, maddened men don't hurt themselves or others.

ACT 4

Scene 1: In Front of Prospero's Cell

Prospero gives his formal blessing to Ferdinand and Miranda's engagement. He is pleased that Ferdinand has proven himself by enduring the trial of hard labor.

• A Warning: However, Prospero sternly warns Ferdinand not to break Miranda's "virgin-knot" before their wedding ceremony, or their marriage will be cursed with hatred and discord. Ferdinand solemnly promises to wait.
• A Magical Celebration: To celebrate their engagement, Prospero calls on Ariel to perform a masque (a short, festive play with music and dancing). He summons spirits to take the roles of classical goddesses:
• Iris, goddess of the rainbow, appears.
• She calls for Ceres, goddess of agriculture and harvest.
• Finally, Juno, queen of the gods, descends. They bless the couple with wishes of wealth, honor, a happy marriage, and plentiful children.
• Prospero's Sudden Anger: In the middle of the beautiful performance, Prospero suddenly remembers something and angrily stops the masque. The spirits vanish.
• The Famous Speech: Ferdinand is startled by Prospero's anger. Prospero gives one of the most famous speeches in Shakespeare, explaining that the glorious spirits and the celebration have all melted into "thin air." He compares life itself to the insubstantial performance: "We are such stuff / As dreams are made on, and our little life / Is rounded with a sleep."
• The Reason: He explains he is angry because he just remembered the stupid plot by Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo to murder him. His time is running short to deal with them.
• The Drunken Plot Foiled: Ariel returns and reports that he led the three conspirators through briars and into a filthy, stinking pond. Prospero tells Ariel to hang out some fancy, glittering clothes as bait to distract them.
• The fools are Tricked: Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, now wet and smelly, approach Prospero's cell. Stephano and Trinculo are immediately distracted by the fancy clothes Prospero left out and start trying them on, arguing over them, despite Caliban's desperate pleas for them to focus on the murder.
• Spirit Hounds: Prospero and Ariel then set a pack of magical spirit dogs upon them to chase them away. Prospero says he will punish them with cramps and pinches.

ACT 5

Scene 1: In Front of Prospero's Cell

The time for Prospero's plan has come. He is dressed in his magic robes.

• Prospero's Decision: Ariel describes how Alonso and his company are still prisoners, mad with grief and guilt. Alonso, in particular, is heartbroken. Ariel says that if Prospero saw them now, he would feel sorry for them. This moves Prospero.
• The Quality of Mercy: Prospero decides to forgive his enemies instead of taking revenge. He says, "The rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance." He declares that he will give up his magic after this last act.
• Breaking the Spell: He asks Ariel to bring the men to him. He draws a magic circle on the ground.
• Renouncing Magic: In a powerful speech, Prospero describes all the mighty magic he has done—calling storms, shaking the earth, and even raising the dead. But now, he says, "I'll break my staff," and "I'll drown my book." He will give up his power.
• Confrontation and Forgiveness: Ariel brings in Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, and Antonio. They stand frozen within the magic circle. Prospero, now dressed as the Duke of Milan, reveals his true identity.
• He forgives Alonso for his past betrayal (while also revealing that Ferdinand is alive and well).
• He warns Sebastian and Antonio, calling them traitors, but says he will not expose them to the king.
• He embraces his faithful old friend, Gonzalo, with gratitude.
• The Happy Reunion: Alonso is bewildered and amazed. Prospero draws back a curtain to reveal Ferdinand and Miranda alive and well, playing a game of chess inside his cell. Alonso is overjoyed to find his son alive and is delighted to learn he will marry Miranda.
• A New World: Miranda, seeing all these noble people for the first time, famously exclaims, "O wonder! / How many goodly creatures are there here! / How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world / That has such people in't!" Prospero, knowing some of these men are far from good, gently replies, "'Tis new to thee."
• Setting Ariel Free: The Boatswain and Shipmaster arrive, confused but reporting that the ship is magically repaired and ready to sail. Prospero finally sets Ariel free. Ariel's last task is to provide calm seas for their voyage home. He flies away joyfully.
• Dealing with Caliban: Prospero brings in Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, who are still drunk and ridiculous. Alonso is disgusted by them. Caliban is ashamed, realizing his mistake in worshipping the drunken fool Stephano: "What a thrice-double ass / Was I to take this drunkard for a god!"
• The Conclusion: Prospero invites everyone to spend the night in his cell, where he will tell them the full story of his life on the island. In the morning, they will all set sail for Naples, where Ferdinand and Miranda will be married. Prospero will return to his rightful position as Duke of Milan. His final thought is one of peace: "Every third thought shall be my grave."

Epilogue

Prospero speaks directly to the audience.

• He says his magic is all gone, and now his only power is his own human strength, which is weak.
• He is trapped on the island until the audience releases him with their applause.
• He says his goal was to please and entertain them, and he now needs their "prayer" (their indulgence and applause) to be set free, just as he forgave and freed his enemies.
• He asks the audience to clap, letting their approval set him free from the stage.