The play opens with a shipwreck.

When Alonso, King of Naples, was returning from the wedding of

his daughter to a prince abroad, his ship was caught in a terrible storm. In his company were Duke
Antonio of Milan and other gentlemen of the court. As the storm rose in fury, it seemed certain the
vessel would split and sink. The noble travellers were forced to abandon the ship and trust their
fortune in the open sea. Story of Prospero: The tempest was raised by Prospero, a learned magician.
The ship sailed close to an isolated, enchanted island on which he and his young daughter Miranda
were the only human beings. Theirs had been a sad story. Prospero was the Duke of Milan, who was
devoted more to the study of magic than to his dukedom. Antonio, his brother, seized the dukedom
with the help of the King of Naples. Antonio set Prospero and his daughter adrift in a boat. Gonzalo,
a noble of Naples took pity on them and stocked their boat with food, water, clothes, and other
necessities, including books of magic and philosophy from Prospero's library. Introduction of Caliban:
The exiles drifted to an island which had been the refuge of Sycorax, an evil sorceress. There
Prospero found Caliban, a misshapen creature of animal intelligence. He was only able to split wood
and draw water. Obedient to Prospero's will were many good spirits of air and water, whom he had
freed from torments of the sorceress Sycorax. Ariel, a lively sprite, was chief of them. Introduction of
Ferdinand: Prospero, having used his magic to draw the ship bearing King Alonso and Duke Antonio
close to his enchanted island, ordered Ariel to bring the whole group safely ashore. Ferdinand, King
Alonso's son, was moved by Ariel's singing to follow the spirit to Prospero's cell. Miranda, who
remembered seeing no human being but her father, at first sight fell in love with the young prince,
and he with her. Prospero was pleased to see the young people so attracted to each other, but he
withheld his pleasure, spoke harshly to them, and to test Ferdinand, ordered him to do menial tasks.
Plot to Kill Alonso: Meanwhile Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and Gonzalo wandered sadly along the
beach. Alonso was in despair because he believed his son was drowned. Ariel, invisible in air, played
music, putting to sleep all except Sebastian and Antonio. Drawing apart, they planned to kill King
Alonso and his counsellors and make Sebastian, the King of Naples. In the nick of time, Ariel
awakened those who were asleep before the plotters could carry out their plan.

The drunk monster declared he would be would be forever. Just as Sebastian and Antonio had
plotted to murder Alonso, so camp' viceroys. Unseen, Ariel overheard their evil designs and reported
the plan to Prospero. Miranda Falls in Love Meanwhile Miranda had disobeyed her father by
interrupting Ferdinand's task of rolling logs. The hidden magician's commands were forgotten; the
two exchanged lovers vows. Satisfied by the prince's declarations of devotion, Prospero left them.
Prospero, went with Ariel, to mock Alonso and his followers by showing them a banquet which
vanished before the hungry could taste the rich dishes. Then Ariel, disguised as a harpy, reproached
them for their conspiracy against Prospero. Alonso thought that Ferdinand has perished in the
storm. Convinced that Ferdinand's death was a punishment for his own crime, Alonso was moved to
repentance for his wicked deed.

A Pastoral Masque Then, Prospero released Ferdinand from his hard toil. While spirits dressed as
Ceres. Iris, Juno, nymphs and reapers entertained Miranda and the Prince with a pastoral masque,
Prospero suddenly remembered the schemes which had been devised by Caliban. Told to punish the
plotters, Ariel first tempted them with a display of kingly garments; then, urging on his fellow spirits
in the shapes of fierce hunting dogs, he drove them howling with pain through bogs and brier
patches.

Theme of Forgiveness Prospero was convinced that the King of Naples and his own brother Antonio
had repented the evil deed they had done to him some years ago. Prospero commanded Ariel to
bring them into his cell. Ariel soon returned, bringing Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, and Gonzalo. At
first they were astonished to see Prospero in the attire of the wronged Duke of Milan. Prospero
confirmed his identity, ordered Antonio to restore his dukedom, and warned Sebastian not to plot
further against the king. Reconciliation and Rejoicing Finally, Prospero took the repentant Alonso
into the cell where Ferdinand and Miranda were playing chess. There was a joyful reunion between
father and son.