THE TEMPEST SHORT SUMMARY
The play opens with a shipwreck on an enchanted island where the usurped Duke of Milan,
Prospero, and his lovely daughter, Miranda, have been living for 12 years. Prospero has become
a master magician, and Miranda has grown into a charming maiden. Prospero, with the help of
his sprite Ariel, has caused a violent storm to cause the shipwreck. All those aboard the ship—
Alonso, the King of Naples, his brother Sebastian, Alonso’s son Ferdinand, Alonso’s counselor
Gonzalo, and Prospero’s brother Antonio—jump overboard for fear of dying in the storm.
Miranda, having watched the storm wrack the ship, is assured by her father that it was all a
magical illusion. He relates the tale of their journey to the island—how his brother Antonio
teamed with Alonso to overthrow him. Though Prospero and Miranda were abandoned at sea,
they were able to survive because Gonzalo secretly packed money, clothes and Prospero’s
witchcraft books on the boat.
Prospero and Miranda eventually landed on the island and came across Caliban, a demon son of
the witch Sycorax, now slave to Prospero. After relating their history,Prospero causes Miranda to
sleep and commands Ariel to ensure that the nobles are safe on the island. Ariel informs
Prospero that the rest of the fleet has returned to Naples believing that Alonso is dead. Ariel has
vowed loyalty to Prospero because Prospero freed Ariel from Sycorax’s curse. Prospero, in
return, promises to free Ariel when his plans are complete. Ariel scatters the nobles around the
island, leading Ferdinand into a cave where Miranda, never having seen any other man besides
her father, falls instantly in love. Though Prospero approves of the match, he pretends to be
critical of Ferdinand and sets him to work dragging logs.
Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo and the lords Adrian and Francisco wander the island,
thinking Ferdinand dead. Gonzalo gusses that Ferdinand could still be alive since they survived
the shipwreck. Ariel sends all to sleep except Sebastian and Antonio, who plot the murder of
Alonso to take over Naples. Ariel, concealed in invisibility, overhears the plan and wakes
Gonzalo, who warns Alonso just in time. On another part of the island, the drunken Trinculo,
another survivor of the shipwreck, encounters Caliban; they are soon joined by the king’s butler,
Stephano. After tasting “spirits” from Stephano, Caliban declares him to be a god and vows
devotion.
Back at the cave, Prospero spies as Miranda and Ferdinand exchange vows of love and promise
to marry. Prospero, happy with the match, blesses their union. Caliban encourages Stephano to
kill Prospero, marry Miranda and take over the island. Ariel overhears the scheme and leaves to
warn his master. To torment the nobles, Ariel and other spirits reveal a lavish banquet that
vanishes as they try to eat. Ariel appears in the form of a Harpy to rebuke them for their cruel
behavior toward Prospero, declaring it the cause of their current sorrow. At the cave, Prospero
recreates a performance by goddesses and nymphs. When Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo show
up to enact their plot, Prospero sends Ariel and other fairies after them to torment them and keep
them out of the way.
The royal party is brought, spellbound, to Prospero, where he forgives them for the injuries of
the past. He reveals the supposed-dead Ferdinand and his own daughter, Miranda—both safe,
playing chess and newly engaged. As father and son reunite, Prospero frees Ariel and returns the
island to Caliban’s control. Stephano and Trinculo repent their scheming, and Alonso restores
Prospero’s dukedom. All board the ship to return to Italy. Prospero renounces his magical
powers and requests that Ariel provide calm seas for the voyage home.
