The Tempest story
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1610–1611, and thought to be one of the last plays that Shakespeare wrote alone. After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at sea during a tempest, the rest of the story is set on a remote island, where the sorcerer Prospero, a complex and contradictory character, lives with his daughter Miranda, and his two servants—Caliban, a savage monster figure, and Ariel, an airy spirit. The play contains music and songs that evoke the spirit of enchantment on the island. It explores many themes, including magic, betrayal, revenge, and family. In Act IV, a wedding masque serves as a play-within-the play, and contributes spectacle, allegory, and elevated language.
10 total · 1 choice · 7 major · 2 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| treason | choice | Prospero resented having been usurped by Antonio as Duke of Milan, 12 years ago. Sebastian and Antonio were about to murder others in their sleep. Caliban sided with Stephano and plotted against his former master Prospero. |
| father and daughter | major | Prospero and Miranda |
| infatuation | major | Miranda and Ferdinand became besotted with each other |
| loyalty to a leader | major | Ariel was unquestioningly loyal to Prospereo, by contrast with Caliban who changed his master twice |
| magic powers | major | Prospero's magic powers are explicit and notable: he conjures storms, commands spirits, induces lethargy and sleep |
| master and servant | major | Prospero with Caliban and Ariel; Stephsno with Caliban |
| the desire for vengeance | major | Ariel spelled out Prospero's hope to avenge himself on the usurpers |
| the theater | major | "The Tempest is explicitly concerned with its own nature as a play, frequently drawing links between Prospero's art and theatrical illusion" cf. Wikipedia |
| folk belief | minor | Caliban believed Stephano's claim that the latter was "the man in the moon". |
| poverty in society | minor | we heard that the English would not give a "doit" to relieve the poor, yet ten to see an Indian |