The Tempest

A synopsis of The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Act 1

Scene 1

Featuring

The Tempest is destroying King Alonso's ship. The crew and the lords are volatile.

Scene 2

Featuring

Miranda assumes her father, Prospero, has caused the tempest. He admits that he has and assures her that everyone is unharmed. He then tells her of their past and his plans for revenge. When Miranda was a baby Prospero was the Duke of Milan. He was so engrossed with his wizarding studies that his brother, Antonio, overthrew him and had Alonso, the King of Naples, put Prospero and baby Miranda in a leaky boat set out into the ocean. Loyal Gonzalo put food, clothes, and grimoires into the boat so that they were able to survive on the magical island where they now live. Prospero has a spirit servant named Ariel and a monster servant named Caliban. Miranda meets Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples, and they fall immediately in love with each other. Prospero decides to test Ferdinand.

Act 2

Scene 1

Featuring

The noblemen think they are the only survivors. Alonso plummets into severe depression, thinking his son is dead. Gonzalo, Adrien, and Francisco try to cheer him up. Antonio, Prospero's brother, plots with Sebastian, Alonso's brother, to murder Alonso and become the King of Naples. Ariel eavesdrops and reports back to Prospero.

Scene 2

Featuring

Caliban meets the two shipwrecked clowns. Stephano has hidden barrels of wine in caves and shares with the others. Caliban thinks Stephano is a god, like Dionysus or Bacchus, gods of wine in mythology, and worships him.

Act 3

Scene 1

Featuring

Ferdinand attempts to stack wood to prove himself to Prospero while he and Miranda talk about how much they love each other. Prospero is pleased by Ferdinand's good character.

Scene 2

Featuring

The two clowns and Caliban plot Prospero's murder but Ariel is eavesdropping.

Scene 3

Featuring

The noblemen are surprised by Ariel and a team of spirits who set up a party with feasting and music, but when they come to the table, Ariel in the form of a harpy (half woman, half vulture) descends upon the feast and terrifies them all.

Act 4

Scene 1

Featuring

Prospero arranges a wedding masquerade ball for Ferdinand and Miranda with fairies, nymphs, reapers and the goddesses: Ceres, Iris, and Juno. Then Prospero remembers the murder plot against him. Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano are sneaking up on Prospero's house when they come across fabulous costumes hanging just outside, which they just have to put on.

Act 5

Scene 1

Featuring

Prospero reveals himself in all his glory and explains everything to everyone. He forgives and decides to return to Italy.

Epilogue

Prospero is happy.