THE TEMPEST

Synopsis of The Tempest

The King of Naples and Prospero's cunning brother Antonio are among the survivors of a shipwreck who are tormented by Prospero using magic.

Caliban, Prospero's slave, schemes to get rid of his master, but Ariel, Prospero's spirit servant, foils his plans.

Miranda, the daughter of Prospero, falls in love with Ferdinand, the infant son of the King who is believed to have died.

Their joy is short-lived when Prospero meets his brother and confesses that he is actually the duke of Milan who has been usurped.

All disputes are settled and the families are reunited.

Ariel is given his freedom by Prospero, who is getting ready to depart the island.

Act I

A storm overtakes a ship carrying King Alonso of Naples, his brother Sebastian, and son Ferdinand as it approaches a Mediterranean island.

When the storm struck and sank their ship, they were returning home from Tunis to Italy.

Gonzalo, a courtier, and Antonio, the Duke of Milan, are also shipwrecked.

Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda, 15, witness the storm and shipwreck from the island. Prospero reassures Miranda that everything is alright despite her worries for the ship's crew. He makes the decision to reveal his background, telling her how his brother Antonio overthrew him in a coup 12 years before.

Gonzalo had helped Prospero escape in a boat with Miranda, a baby, and his magic books. They arrived on the island, settled there, and took Caliban, the only local, into slavery. The spirits, including Ariel, whom Prospero had freed from imprisonment in a tree, are the only other residents of the island. Prospero wants to make amends for his previous mistakes by pointing out that Antonio was on the ship that is currently at sea.

Prospero and Ariel talk about his involvement in the shipwreck as Miranda rests.

Now that the men are on the shore, they discuss what to do with them.

The ship's courtiers are dumped on land unhurt. Yet, the King is on the verge of despair because he thinks his son, Ferdinand, drowned. In reality, Ferdinand has arrived safely in a separate area of the island, where he meets Miranda, and they fall in love right away. Ferdinand is taken prisoner by Prospero, who is worried about his daughter, and made to carry wood. Ariel searches for his freedom in the interim. Prospero says that after a few more duties are finished, he will free Ariel from servitude (typical).

Act II

While Sebastian and Antonio plan to assassinate the King while he is sleeping, Ariel uses music to misdirect the courtiers.

Ariel thwarts their attempt.

As they roam around, everyone from the ship gets more and more lost.

The timid court fool Trinculo has arrived at the shore in another area of the island and has found Caliban.

In order to avoid an approaching storm, Trinculo hides next to Caliban. The ship's butler, Stephano, discovers them.

Acts III–IV

At Caliban's suggestion, Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban plan to kill Prospero and install Stephano as the island's ruler.

Before going to the cell to kill Prospero, they get very intoxicated.

Ariel informs his master of this evil plot after witnessing everything in his invisible form.

Prospero had given in and approved the union of Ferdinand and Miranda in the interim.

Then, before recalling Caliban's schemes, he amuses them with a masque of dancing reapers and goddesses.

After that, Prospero and Ariel set up a trap for the three conspirators.

Stephano and Trinculo are duped by the plot and sidetracked by the flashy garments that have been laid out for them.

When they touch the clothes, spirits in dog form scare them away.

Act V

All of the courtiers are brought by Ariel to the cell where Prospero reveals himself after giving up his magic. He chooses to forgive them and accept the restoration of his dukedom rather than exacting his vengeance. Miranda and Ferdinand are engaged. The arrival of sailors signals that the ship is secure. Caliban and the inebriated servants are reprimanded while Prospero keeps his word and releases Ariel. Prospero requests the audience's release from the play as the play comes to a close and everyone departs to celebrate their reunions.