Synopsis
The action of the play explained…
Act 1, Scene 1
“On board a ship carrying King Alonso of Naples and his entourage, a boatswain directs the crew to fight a great storm, but the ship appears to be destined to sink.”
Act 1, Scene 2
“Prospero, the former duke of Milan, who had been stranded on a barren island for twelve years with his daughter, Miranda, explains to her that he used his magic to raise the storm and that he ensured that no one on the ship was harmed. He then tells her how, twelve years before, his brother Antonio conspired with Alonso, king of Naples, to usurp Prospero’s dukedom and put him to sea with Miranda, where they happened upon the barren island that is now their home. Having charmed Miranda asleep, Prospero summons the spirit Ariel, hears Ariel’s report of the tempest, and gives her further orders. Prospero wakes Miranda, and they visit Caliban, whom Prospero threatens with torture if he will not continue his labors. Ariel, invisible, entices Ferdinand, son and heir of Alonso, into the presence of Prospero and Miranda. Prospero, delighted that Ferdinand and Miranda fall instantly in love, puts false obstacles in their way by accusing Ferdinand of treason and by using charms to enslave him.”
Act 2, Scene 1 “King Alonso and his entourage wander the island in search of Ferdinand. Gonzalo tries unsuccessfully to encourage hope in Alonso or Ferdinand’s survival. Then Ariel, invisible, charms asleep all but Antonio and Sebastian. Antonio seizes the occasion to persuade Sebastian to kill King Alonso and Gonzalo and take the throne of Naples. Ariel, invisible, returns to awake Gonzalo, who wakes the rest. They continue their search.”
Act 2, Scene 2
“Having escapes the apparently sinking ship, Trinculo finds Caliban hiding under a cloak, under which Trinculo also crawls to take shelter from the storm. Stephano, drunk, finds them both and shares his bottle with them. In return, Caliban abandons Prospero’s service and swears to be Stephano’s subject.”
Act 3, Scene 1
“Ferdinand is visited by Miranda. Prospero observes them unseen as the exchange marriage vows and clasp hands.”
Act 3, Scene 2
“Trinculo and Caliban quarrel, and Stephano takes Caliban’s part. Ariel, invisible, imitates Trinculo’s voice and accuses Caliban of lying, causing further trouble among the three. Caliban calls Prospero a tyrant and urges Stephano to kill Prospero and take Miranda as his consort. Stephano and Trinculo join Caliban in following the music that Ariel performs to lead them out of their way.”
Act 3, Scene 3
“King Alonso and his party, weary with searching, are visited by “strange shapes” bringing in a banquet, while Prospero, unseen, observes them. But when Alonso and his party take up the shapes’ invitation to eat and drink, Ariel appears as a Harpy and makes the food and drink vanish. The Harpy accuses Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio of usurping Prospero’s dukedom and threatens them with worse than death. The three “men of sin” leave in a desperate state.”
Act 4, Scene 1
“Prospero releases Ferdinand and gives him Miranda as his bride-to-be. To celebrate the prospect of their union, Prospero instructs Ariel to have the spirits under Prospero’s control perform a masque. During the masque, Prospero remembers the threat posed by Caliban and stops the masque. He joins Ariel in driving off Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo with spirits in the guise of dogs.”
Act 5, Scene 1
“Prospero releases Alonso and the court party from their charmed state and renounces the further use of magic. Alonso restores Prospero to the dukedom of Milan, and, in return, Prospero reunites him with Ferdinand. Ariel arrives with the ship’s master and boatswain, and all are soon joined by Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, whom Prospero sends off to decorate his cell. As they prepare to set sail for Naples, Prospero gives Ariel his freedom.”
(Source: Shakespeare, William (ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine). The Tempest. Folger Shakespeare Library: Washington Square Press, NY 1994. ISBN: 0-7434-8283-2)