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L I T CHA R T S w w w. L i t C h a r t s . c o mTM
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The Tempest
Background Info
Author Bio Historical and Literary Context America. People were fascinated by reports of indigenou
Full Name: William Shakespeare When Written: 1610-1611 cultures and human survival in wild places, while philosopher
Date of Birth: 1564 Where Written: England such as Montaigne pondered the nature of the relationshi
Place of Birth: Stratford-upon-Avon, England When Published: 1623 between colonizer and colonized peoples. Many scholar
Date of Death: 1616 Literary Period: The Renaissance (1500-1660) believe that the play was inspired in part by a manuscrip
Brief Life Story: Shakespeare’s father was a glove-maker, Related Literary Works: The Tempest is different from many that circulated in London in 1610. It was written by William
and Shakespeare received no more than a grammar school of Shakespeare’s plays in that it does not derive from one Strachey and told of a hurricane that wrecked a ship full o
education. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, but left his clear source. The play does, however, draw on many of the colonists bound for Jamestown in 1609. The ship ran agroun
family behind around 1590 and moved to London, where motifs common to Shakespeare’s works. These include the on a deserted island in the Bermudas. Everyone survived, bu
he became an actor and playwright. He was an immediate painful parting of a father with his daughter, jealousy and they struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar island environmen
success: Shakespeare soon became the most popular hatred between brothers, the usurpation of a legitimate and to maintain order and harmony as they built new ship
playwright of the day as well as a part-owner of the Globe ruler, the play-within-a-play, and the experiences of courtiers and prepared to sail once more for Jamestown.
Theater. His theater troupe was adopted by King James as transplanted to a new environment. It is commonly classified
the King’s Men in 1603. Shakespeare retired as a rich and with Pericles, The Winter’s Tale, and Cymbeline in a small Extra Credit
prominent man to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1613, and died group of plays called “romances.” These plays contain Shakespeare or Not? There are some who believ
three years later. elements of comedy and, to a lesser extent, tragedy, but do Shakespeare wasn’t educated enough to write the play
not wholly belong to either category. Common elements in attributed to him. The most common anti-Shakespeare theor
Key Facts Shakespearean romances include experiences of loss and is that Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays an
Full Title: The Tempest recovery, as well as imaginative realms in which magic can used Shakespeare as a front man because aristocrats wer
Genre: Romance play an important role. not supposed to write plays. Yet the evidence supportin
Setting: An unnamed island in the Mediterranean Sea Historical Context: English people in the Renaissance period Shakespeare’s authorship far outweighs any evidenc
Climax: Ariel appears as a harpy before Antonio, Alonso, and were aware of the efforts by their government (and that against. So until further notice, Shakespeare is still the mos
Sebastian and condemns them for stealing Prospero’s kingdom of other European governments) to explore and colonize influential writer in the English language.
Protagonist: Prospero distant lands. When Shakespeare was writing The Tempest,
Antagonists: Antonio, Alonso, Sebastian, and Caliban the Jamestown colony had just recently been established in
Plot Summary
A raging storm at sea threatens a ship bearing Alonso, King to spy on the shipwrecked courtiers. Prospero then awakens A bit later, Antonio and Sebastian resume their plot agains
of Naples, and his court on their voyage home from the wed- Miranda and summons his servant Caliban, the son of Syco- Alonso, but Ariel again disrupts it. Appearing as a harpy, h
ding of Alonso’s daughter in Tunisia. Frustrated and afraid, rax. Caliban curses Prospero, and denies that he owes Prospe- accuses them and Alonso of overthrowing Prospero and say
the courtiers and the ship’s crew exchange insults as the ship ro anything for educating him. To prove his point, he recounts that only sincere repentance can save them now. Alonso im
goes down. how Prospero stripped him of his rulership of the island. mediately repents. Antonio and Sebastian pledge to fight back
From a nearby island, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, Meanwhile, Ariel, still invisible, leads Ferdinand, Alonso’s but Prospero soon enchants and traps them all.
and his daughter Miranda watch the ship. Miranda worries son, to Prospero. Ferdinand and Miranda fall immediately in Back at Prospero’s cave, Prospero gives his blessing t
about the ship’s passengers, suspects that her father has love, but Prospero puts a spell on Ferdinand and takes him Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage. He summons spirits t
created the storm using his magical powers, and begs him to into custody. Elsewhere, Alonso, Gonzalo (an advisor to perform an elaborate masque (dramatic performance) for th
calm the waters. Prospero then reveals to Miranda the details Alonso), Antonio, and Sebastian (Alonso’s brother) awaken to couple. Suddenly, Prospero remembers Caliban’s plot to mu
of their past, telling how, 12 years ago, his brother Antonio find themselves safely on shore. Alonso mourns, thinking that der him. He abruptly ends the masque and, with Ariel’s help
betrayed and overthrew him. With the help of Alonso, Antonio Ferdinand has drowned in the storm. Ariel enters and plays tricks and then chases off the three would-be murderers.
arranged for Prospero and Miranda to be kidnapped and set solemn music that puts Gonzalo and Alonso to sleep. While In the play’s final scene, Prospero, with Ariel’s counsel, de
adrift at sea. Now, Prospero says, circumstances allow him they sleep, Antonio persuades Sebastian to try to murder cides that rather than taking revenge he will instead give up h
to take revenge on his enemies, and for this reason he has Alonso and become king of Naples. Ariel wakes the sleeping magic and forgive his enemies. He presents himself to them i
conjured the storm. men just in time to prevent the deed. the robes he wore as Duke of Milan. The courtiers are astound
Prospero charms Miranda, and she falls asleep. He then On still another part of the island, Caliban encounters Alon- ed. Alonso apologizes and relinquishes control of Milan, thoug
summons his spirit-servant Ariel, who created the storm. Ariel so’s butler Stephano and jester Trinculo. He mistakes them Antonio remains silent. Alonso and Ferdinand are reunited
says that he has made sure everyone made it to the island for gods because they give him wine and get him drunk. With and Alonso gives his blessing to the marriage of Miranda an
alive, but scattered separately, then mentions that Prospero Ariel listening in, Caliban persuades them to help him murder Ferdinand. Prospero summons Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliba
promised to free him from servitude early in return for good Prospero with the promise that he will serve them as lords of and exposes them to general scorn. Caliban curses himself fo
service. Prospero angrily reminds the spirit that he saved him the island. mistaking them for gods. Prospero then charges Ariel to ensur
from the prison in which the witch Sycorax put him. (Sycorax While Ferdinand does hard labor for Prospero, he encoun- a safe voyage back to Italy for all, and then grants Ariel his free
was the previous ruler of the island.) Ariel apologizes and fol- ters Miranda. They express their affection for each other. With dom. The play ends with Prospero’s epilogue, in which he ask
lows Prospero’s orders—he makes himself invisible and goes Prospero secretly looking on, they agree to marry. the audience to applaud and set him free.
Characters
Prospero – The rightful Duke of Milan who was overthrown in a play, Prospero controls the actions of the people on the to grant someday. In the meantime, Ariel serves Prosper
and exiled by his brother Antonio and Alonso, the King of Na- island. Prospero is domineering, and expects gratitude and loyally, and seems to enjoy the mischievous tricks he pulls o
ples. Prospero has lived for 12 years with his daughter Miran- devotion from both his daughter and his servants. Yet he is Prospero’s enemies. At the play’s end, Ariel’s compassion fo
da on a deserted island, where he has become a powerful not bloodthirsty, and at the end of the play, rather than tak- those enemies moves Prospero to release and forgive them.
enchanter and the master of the spirit Ariel and the “monster” ing revenge on those who wronged him when he has them at
Caliban. Prospero has become a powerful enchanter, and his his mercy, he instead choose to give up his magic power and Caliban – Prospero’s unwilling slave. As the son of th
magical skill gives him almost complete control over everyone reconcile with his enemies. witch Sycorax, who ruled the island before she died year
on the island. He’s not shy about using his enchantments ei- prior to Prospero’s arrival, Caliban believes that he shoul
ther, whether on his enemies or on his daughter, to manipulate Ariel – A spirit and Prospero’s servant. Prospero rescued be master of the island. When Prospero initially came to th
events to his liking. In fact, Prospero’s power on the island is Ariel from a prison in which he was placed by the dead witch island, Caliban showed him friendship, and in return Prosper
so complete that many critics compare him to an author of a Sycorax. Now Ariel uses magic to carry out Prospero’s com- educated Caliban. But Caliban eventually came to realize tha
play—just as an author controls the actions of the characters mands. Ariel wants his freedom, which Prospero has promised Prospero would never view him as more than an educate
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savage. Though capable of sensitivity and eloquence, Caliban Gonzalo – Alonso’s advisor. Gonzalo was charged with car- Stephano – Alonso’s butler. Stephano is a comical characte
is furious and bitter and wants nothing more than to rid himself rying out the kidnapping of Prospero and Miranda. A kind who spends the whole play drunk. When Caliban mistake
of Prospero. Caliban’s name is a near anagram for the world soul, he pitied the pair and arranged for them to have provi- him for a god because he gives Caliban wine and gets him
“cannibal,” and in many ways he is a symbol of the natives sions for survival in exile. Gonzalo makes the best of every drunk, Stephano begins to fancy himself a king. Caliban’s plo
that European explorers encountered. Through Caliban, and situation, while others seem to tire of his unfailingly positive to murder Prospero is therefore very appealing to him, as ar
his relationship to Prospero, Shakespeare explores the themes attitude. Though he is an object of Antonio and Sebastian’s the showy garments Prospero and Ariel lay out to trap him.
of colonization and the relationship between the colonizer and ridicule, he always maintains his dignity.
the colonized. Trinculo – The king’s jester. Trinculo is another comical cha
Alonso – The king of Naples. Alonso plotted with Antonio to acter, and like Stephano, he is drunk for much of the play. Trin
Miranda – Prospero’s daughter, the rightful princess of overthrow Prospero, but he expresses genuine remorse when culo is less charismatic and more cowardly than Stephano
Milan. Miranda knows nothing of her past until Prospero confronted with his crimes. Alonso also shows a sincere love He resents Caliban’s worship of Stephano but readily follow
fills her in during the second scene of the play. Miranda is a for his son Ferdinand and is distraught for much of the play, along with the plot to murder Prospero.
compassionate, dutiful daughter, and her only harsh words in believing that Ferdinand has drowned in the tempest.
the play are directed at Caliban, who tried to rape her at one Boatswain – A member of the ship’s crew. The boatswai
time. Completely isolated from other people except her father, Ferdinand – Alonso’s son. Ferdinand finds love with speaks commandingly to the courtiers in the first scene. Hi
Miranda is amazed when she sees other humans, and immedi- Miranda. Their union seals the reconciliation between Alonso assertion of his authority angers the courtiers, especially An
ately falls in love with Ferdinand, even though he is only the of Naples and Prospero of Milan. Ferdinand is kind, courte- tonio and Sebastian.
third man she can remember meeting in her life. ous, and dutiful. His love for and loyalty to his father (who he
thinks is dead for most of the play) is sincere, as is his love Sycorax – A vicious witch, and Caliban’s mother. Sycora
Antonio – Prospero’s brother. Antonio once plotted to for Miranda. ruled the island, imprisoned Ariel when he refused to do he
overthrow Prospero and later encourages Sebastian to do the nasty bidding, and died before Prospero’s arrival.
same to Alonso. He is a power-hungry and conniving charac- Sebastian – Alonso’s brother. Sebastian is easily persuaded
ter, and never shows remorse for his cruel schemes or their by Antonio to try to murder his brother so that he can become Adrian – A minor lord in the king’s court.
consequences. Antonio is noticeably silent in response to his king. It is later revealed that he also played a part in the over-
brother’s offer of forgiveness at the end of the play. throw of Prospero. Though Sebastian does inquire of Antonio Francisco – A minor lord in the king’s court.
whether his conscience bothers him, he never expresses
remorse for his plans.
Themes
In LitCharts, each theme gets its own corresponding color, is full of examples of power taken by force, and in each case Colonization
which you can use to track where the themes occur in the these actions lead to political instability and further attempts During the time when The Tempest was written and firs
work. There are two ways to track themes: to gain power through violence. Antonio and Alonso’s over- performed, both Shakespeare and his audiences would hav
throw of Prospero leads to Antonio and Sebastian’s plot to been very interested in the efforts of English and other Euro
• Refer to the color-coded bars next to each plot point overthrow Alonso, just as Prospero’s overthrow and enslave- pean settlers to colonize distant lands around the globe. Th
throughout the Summary and Analysis sections. ment of Caliban leads Caliban to seek revenge. Tempest explores the complex and problematic relationshi
• Use the ThemeTracker section to get a quick overview of Ultimately, it is only when Prospero breaks the cycle of between the European colonizer and the native colonize
where the themes appear throughout the entire work. violence by refusing to take revenge on Alonso, Antonio, Se- peoples through the relationship between Prospero an
bastian, or Caliban that the political tensions in the play are Caliban. Prospero views Caliban as a lesser being than himsel
Loss and Restoration calmed and reconciled. After Prospero’s merciful refusal to As such, Prospero believes that Caliban should be grateful t
Prospero’s attempt to recover his lost dukedom of Milan seek revenge, Alonso and Prospero quickly come to an un- him for educating Caliban and lifting him out of “savagery.”
drives the plot of the Tempest. But Prospero isn’t the only derstanding and unite their once warring cities through the simply does not occur to Prospero that he has stolen rulershi
character in the play to experience loss. Ariel lost his freedom marriage of their children. The Tempest suggests that compro- of the island from Caliban, because Prospero can’t imagin
to Sycorax and now serves Prospero. Caliban, who considers mise and compassion are more effective political tools than Caliban as being fit to rule anything. In contrast, Caliban soo
himself the rightful ruler of the island, was overthrown and violence, imprisonment, or even magic. realizes that Prospero views him as a second-class citizen fi
enslaved by Prospero. By creating the tempest that shipwrecks only to serve and that by giving up his rulership of the island i
Alonso and his courtiers on the island, Prospero strips them Magic, Illusion, and Prospero as Playwright return for his education, he has allowed himself to be robbed
of their position and power, and also causes Alonso to believe The Tempest is full of Prospero’s magic and illusions. The play As a result, Caliban turns bitter and violent, which only re
that he has lost his son to the sea. begins with Prospero’s magic (the tempest), and ends with inforces Prospero’s view of him as a “savage.” Shakespear
Through their reactions to these losses, the play’s char- Prospero’s magic (his command that Ariel send the ship safely uses Prospero and Caliban’s relationship to show how th
acters reveal their true natures. Reduced to desperation and back to Italy). In between, the audience watches as Prospero misunderstandings between the colonizer and the colonize
despair, Alonso recognizes his error in helping to overthrow uses visual and aural illusions to manipulate his enemies and lead to hatred and conflict, with each side thinking that th
Prospero and gives up his claim to Milan, returning Prospero to expose their true selves. At nearly every point in the play, other is at fault.
power and restoring order between Milan and Naples. Though Prospero’s magic gives him total control—he always seems to In addition to the relationship between the colonizer an
he desperately wants to be free, Ariel loyally serves his master know what will happen next, or even to control what will hap- colonized, The Tempest also explores the fears and opportun
Prospero. Prospero, meanwhile, gives up his magic rather than pen next. At one point, Prospero even goes so far as to suggest ties that colonization creates. Exposure to new and differen
seeking revenge and frees Ariel before returning to Milan. that all of life is actually an illusion that vanishes with death: peoples leads to racism and intolerance, as seen when Se
In contrast to Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian never show “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is bastian criticizes Alonso for allowing his daughter to marr
remorse for overthrowing Prospero and prove to be ambitious rounded with a sleep” (4.1.156-158). an African. Exploration and colonization led directly to slaver
killers in their plot to murder and overthrow Alonso. Stephano Many critics see Prospero’s magical powers as a metaphor and the conquering of native peoples. For instance, Stephan
and Trinculo, in their buffoonish way, likewise seek power for a playwright’s literary techniques. Just as Prospero uses and Trinculo both consider capturing Caliban to sell as a cur
through violence. And Caliban, as opposed to Ariel, hates magic to create illusions, control situations, and resolve con- osity back at home, while Stephano eventually begins to se
Prospero, and gives himself as a slave to Stephano in an effort flicts, the playwright does the same using words. Throughout himself as a potential king of the island. At the same time
to betray and kill Prospero. As Gonzalo observes in the last the play, Prospero often lurks in the shadows behind a scene, the expanded territories established by colonization create
scene of the play, the characters “found ... ourselves, when no like a director monitoring the action as it unfolds. Prospero new places in which to experiment with alternative societies
man was his own” (5.1.206-213). refers to his magic as “art.” In Act 4 scene 1, Prospero literally Shakespeare conveys this idea in Gonzalo’s musings abou
steps into the role of playwright when he puts on a masque the perfect civilization he would establish if he could acquire
Power for Miranda and Ferdinand. In fact, many critics take an ad- territory of his own.
From the opening scene of The Tempest during the storm, ditional step, and argue that Prospero should actually be seen
when the ruling courtiers on the ship must take orders from as a stand-in for Shakespeare himself. The Tempest was one
their subjects, the sailors and the boatswain, The Tempest of the last plays Shakespeare wrote before he retired from the
examines a variety of questions about power: Who has it and theatre, and many critics interpret the play’s epilogue, in which
when? Who’s entitled to it? What does the responsible exercise Prospero asks the audience for applause that will set him free,
of power look like? How should power be transferred? The play as Shakespeare’s farewell to theatre.
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