This document provides a detailed summary and analysis of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. This summary focuses on Act 2, scenes one and two. The summary provides all necessary information with regard to the plot, characters, themes, key events and quotes throughout Act 2, scenes one and two.
The Tempest - act two, scene
one and two
act two, scene one - summary
While Ferdinand is falling in love with Miranda, Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo,
and other shipwrecked lords search for him on another part of the island. Alonso is
quite despondent and unreceptive to the good-natured Gonzalo’s attempts to cheer
him up. Gonzalo meets resistance from Antonio and Sebastian as well. These two
childishly mock Gonzalo’s suggestion that the island is a good place to be and that
they are all lucky to have survived. Alonso finally brings the repartee to a halt when
he bursts out at Gonzalo and openly expresses regret at having married away his
daughter in Tunis. Francisco, a minor lord, pipes up at this point that he saw
Ferdinand swimming valiantly after the wreck, but this does not comfort Alonso.
Sebastian and Antonio continue to provide little help. Sebastian tells his brother that
he is indeed to blame for Ferdinand’s death—if he had not married his daughter to
an African (rather than a European), none of this would have happened.
Gonzalo tells the lords that they are only making the situation worse and attempts to
change the subject, discussing what he might do if he were the lord of the island.
Antonio and Sebastian mock his utopian vision. Ariel then enters, playing “solemn
music” (II.i.182, stage direction), and gradually all but Sebastian and Antonio fall
asleep. Seeing the vulnerability of his sleeping companions, Antonio tries to
The Tempest - act two, scene one and two 1
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