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Upgrade to ProThe Tempest in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Prospero
Miranda
Caliban
Ariel
Alonso
Ferdinand
Antonio
Shipwrecked on an Island
Conspiracy Against Prospero
Love Blooms Between Miranda and Ferdinand
Revenge and Forgiveness
The Tempest
Ariels Freedom
Calibans Rebellion
The Masque
Reconciliation and Restoration
Epilogue
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- What: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
- When: Written in the early 17th century
- Who: Prospero, Miranda, Caliban
- Theme: Power, betrayal, forgiveness
List of Characters in The Tempest
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Prospero
A powerful sorcerer and the rightful Duke of Milan.
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Miranda
Prospero's innocent and compassionate daughter.
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Caliban
A deformed and savage slave on the island.
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Ariel
An airy spirit who serves Prospero.
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Ferdinand
The son of Alonso, the King of Naples.
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Antonio
Prospero's treacherous brother.
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Sebastian
Alonso's brother and a co-conspirator with Antonio.
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Gonzalo
A counselor and loyal friend of Prospero.
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Alonso
The King of Naples, who is shipwrecked on the island.
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Trinculo
A jester who becomes friends with Trinculo and Caliban.
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Stephano
A drunken butler who becomes friends with Trinculo and Caliban.
Timeline of The Tempest
A ship carrying Alonso, the King of Naples, and his entourage is caught in a violent storm.
Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, uses his magic to create the storm and shipwreck the passengers on his island.
Prospero's daughter, Miranda, witnesses the shipwreck and expresses compassion for the survivors.
Caliban, a native of the island and servant to Prospero, meets Stephano and Trinculo, two drunken sailors who have also survived the shipwreck.
Ariel, a spirit in Prospero's service, appears to the shipwreck survivors and leads them to believe that their fellow passengers have drowned.
Ferdinand, Alonso's son, is separated from the rest of the group and encounters Miranda. They instantly fall in love.
Prospero manipulates Ferdinand and tests his love for Miranda by assigning him hard labor.
Alonso, believing his son to be dead, mourns his loss while his brother Sebastian and Antonio plot to seize power.
Ariel leads Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, and other survivors to Prospero's cell, where they are put into a deep sleep.
Ariel convinces Stephano and Trinculo to plot against Prospero and take control of the island.
Prospero creates a masque to celebrate the love between Ferdinand and Miranda.
Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo are thwarted in their attempt to kill Prospero.
Prospero forgives Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio and reveals his true identity to them.
Prospero frees Ariel from his service.
Prospero confronts Caliban for his attempted rebellion and forgives him as well.
Prospero decides to break his staff and drown his book of magic, symbolizing his renouncement of his powers.
Prospero and his companions, including Alonso and Ferdinand, prepare to leave the island and return to Italy.
Vocabulary List
- Tempest
- A violent storm
- Prospero
- The rightful Duke of Milan, and the protagonist of the play
- Miranda
- Prospero's daughter, who falls in love with Ferdinand
- Caliban
- A native inhabitant of the island, and Prospero's slave
- Ariel
- A spirit who serves Prospero, and aids him in his magic
- Ferdinand
- The son of the King of Naples, who falls in love with Miranda
- Alonso
- The King of Naples, and father of Ferdinand
- Sebastian
- Alonso's brother, who plots to kill him and become king
- Antonio
- Prospero's brother, who usurped his position as Duke of Milan
- Gonzalo
- An honest old counselor who helps Prospero and Miranda
- Trinculo
- A jester and servant to Alonso
- Stephano
- A drunken butler and servant to Alonso
- Shipwreck
- The event that brings Prospero's enemies to the island
- Masque
- A festive entertainment performed in the play
- Betrayal
- The act of deceiving or harming someone who trusts you
- Vengeance
- The act of inflicting punishment or harm in return for a wrong
- Illusion
- A false or misleading perception that deceives the senses
- Freedom
- The state of being free from constraints or limitations
- Forgiveness
- The act of pardoning or letting go of resentment
- Redemption
- The act of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- - The Tempest is a play written by William Shakespeare.
- - It is believed to have been written between 1610 and 1611.
- - The play is set on a remote island, where the magician Prospero and his daughter Miranda reside.
- - Prospero uses his magical powers to create a storm, or tempest, to bring his enemies to the island.
- - The shipwrecked passengers include Alonso, the King of Naples, and his son Ferdinand.
- - Caliban, a deformed creature and native to the island, serves as Prospero's slave.
- - Ariel, a spirit, assists Prospero in his magical endeavors and desires freedom.
- - Miranda falls in love with Ferdinand at first sight.
- - Prospero manipulates the events on the island to ensure Ferdinand proves his love for Miranda.
- - The play explores themes of power, revenge, forgiveness, and the complexities of human nature.
- - Prospero seeks revenge on his brother Antonio, who usurped his position as Duke of Milan.
- - The spirit Ariel carries out Prospero's commands but longs for liberation.
- - Caliban resents Prospero and plots to overthrow him.
- - The character of Miranda represents innocence and purity.
- - The play contains elements of comedy, romance, and tragedy.
- - Prospero eventually forgives his enemies and relinquishes his magic.
- - The play ends with the promise of reconciliation and a return to Italy.
- - The Tempest is considered one of Shakespeare's final plays and is often interpreted as his farewell to the stage.
- - The play has been adapted into various operas, films, and other literary works.
- - The themes and characters of The Tempest continue to resonate in modern literature and theater.
Analysis & Significance
Impact on Literature
William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ has had a lasting impact on literature, influencing countless writers with its complex characters, intricate plot, and exploration of themes such as power, forgiveness, and redemption. Its innovative use of magic and the supernatural has inspired generations of storytellers to push the boundaries of imagination in their own works.
Enduring Themes
Despite being written over 400 years ago, ‘The Tempest’ continues to resonate with modern audiences due to its timeless themes of betrayal, revenge, colonialism, and the complexities of human nature. The play’s exploration of the consequences of ambition and the power of forgiveness still hold relevance in today’s society.
Cultural Significance Today
‘The Tempest’ remains culturally significant today, with numerous adaptations in various forms of media such as film, literature, and theater. Its themes of colonization and displacement have sparked discussions about race, power dynamics, and identity, making it a work that continues to provoke thought and reflection in contemporary society.
The Tempest Games
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