The Tempest

Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan and an expert in the arts of magic, lives on an island with
his daughter, Miranda. Twelve years earlier, his brother, Antonio, and Alonso, the King of
Naples, conspired to usurp his throne. They set Prospero and Miranda adrift in a boat, and they
eventually found themselves marooned on the island. Prospero is served on his island by Ariel,
a spirit whom he freed from the tree where Ariel had been imprisoned by the witch Sycorax, and
by Caliban, Sycorax’s son. As the play begins, Prospero has learned that a ship bearing his old
enemies is sailing near the island and has instructed Ariel to create a storm. As Prospero
wishes, Ariel ensures that the survivors of the apparent shipwreck make it to shore in scattered
groups. One survivor is Ferdinand, the son of Alonso. He is lured to Prospero’s abode by the
singing of Ariel; there he meets Miranda, who is enthralled with the young prince.
Meanwhile, Antonio, Alonso, Alonso’s brother Sebastian, and Gonzalo, an honest councillor,
wander the island in search of Ferdinand. Antonio now plots with Sebastian to murder Alonso,
but this plot is thwarted by Ariel. Elsewhere on the island, Stephano, Alonso’s butler, and
Trinculo, his jester, encounter Caliban. After sharing a few drinks, Caliban enlists the two in a
plot to kill Prospero and rule the island. He even promises Miranda to Stephano. Ariel, however,
reports all these goings-on to Prospero. In the meantime, Miranda and Ferdinand pledge their
troth to each other.
Prospero has Ariel create a magical banquet for Alonso and Antonio that vanishes when they try
to eat. He also sends Ariel in the guise of a harpy to hound them for their crimes against
Prospero and make Antonio, Sebastian and Alonso insane. Later, at a masque to celebrate the
betrothal of Miranda and Ferdinand, Prospero remembers Caliban’s plot and abruptly calls the
revels to a halt. He sends Ariel to punish them as well; the spirit does so by first luring them with
some fancy clothes, then setting other island spirits upon them in the shape of hunting dogs that
chase them around the island.
Finally, Prospero confronts his brother and Alonso, revealing his true identity as the rightful
Duke of Milan. He demands that Antonio restore his throne; he also rebukes Sebastian for
plotting against his own brother. To Alonso, he reveals Ferdinand alive and well, playing chess
with Miranda. As a final act, Prospero abandons his magic and releases Ariel and Caliban from
their servitude. From Ariel, Prospero asks for one last boon: calm seas and favorable winds for
their trip back to Naples.

Peter Holland
McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies, University of Notre Dame

https://shakespeare.nd.edu/companies/actors-from-the-london-stage/

Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November - 7:30pm